The manufacturing sector stands at a crucial point: artificial intelligence, geopolitical uncertainties and sustainability are rapidly reshaping industrial processes.
However, as recent and real-world case studies show, transformation in manufacturing often falters not because the technology is too complex but because communication around change is often neglected or ineffective.
Across industrial sectors, stakeholder trust in institutional decision-making is eroding. According to the 2025 Edelman Trust Barometer, 68% of those surveyed distrust business leaders (up 12 points from 2021) and overall trust in employers globally dropped to 75% in 2025 (a 3-point drop).
Yet, most respondents still claim: “I trust my employer more than any other institution.”
Trust is fragile, especially in transformation – it is eroded by change fatigue, information overload and inconsistent messaging. Changing this requires repositioning how communication is perceived, from a support function to a strategic management tool and infrastructure for transformation.
As manufacturing companies face compounded disruptions, the urgency is clear. At the same time, overwhelmed employees don’t necessarily understand the need for change. Leaders cannot afford to lose their human capital in the fog of transformation.
Those who communicate their change processes with clarity and coherence will build trust and ultimately win the next industrial revolution, ahead of those who only deploy the most advanced technologies.
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William Crane, CEO of IndustryStar, an Ann Arbor, Michigan-based on-demand supply chain services and software technology company that partners with mobility leaders to reduce the cost, time and risk of bringing new vehicles, modules and components to market. William is a trusted advisor in supply chain with demonstrated results starting, launching and enhancing procurement, logistics, supplier quality and manufacturing organizations. His work has appeared frequently in the Institute for Supply Management, Sourcing Industry Group, Disruptor.com and Modern Material Handling. William’s passion for bringing technologies to market that have a positive impact on the world can be found via his blog Supply Chain for Tomorrow’s Technology. William is also Host of the Supply Chain Innovation podcast where he interviews top change-makers to uncover strategies, tips, and tools for improving new product launches.
