Manufacturing Wellness Report: Industry Scores 49 out of 100 as Tools Outpace Habits

Sandvik Coromant has released its first-ever Manufacturing Wellness Report, and the headline number is a mixed one: an overall manufacturing wellness score of 49 out of 100. The report benchmarks nearly 1,000 manufacturers against eight habits linked to resilience, productivity, and sustainable growth — and the picture that emerges is of an industry that knows what good looks like but hasn't yet made it routine.

Uneven progress on data and targets

The report suggests that manufacturers are taking steps to improve, but progress remains uneven. Some of the gaps are fundamental. Nearly one in four organizations report having no access to manufacturing or process-related data. Almost half of the organizations say they do not have a clear understanding of the performance targets set for their teams.

For engineers, those two findings are related. Performance targets without data access are aspirations, not controls — and the report's middle-of-the-road score reflects exactly that kind of disconnect.

Circularity and automation lag intent

Sustainability shows a similar pattern of intent outpacing structure. Only 19% of organizations report having a formal circularity policy.

Automation fares better, but with caveats. While 69% of respondents report at least some automation in manufacturing operations, the broader picture remains one of inconsistent adoption across the value chain.

One bright spot: organizations that collaborate with third-party partners score significantly higher on overall manufacturing wellness.

The path forward

"Our first global Manufacturing Wellness Report shows an industry with strong foundations, but also significant unrealized potential. Manufacturers are collecting data, investing in technology and identifying skills gaps. The challenge now is to connect these efforts into a structured approach that improves performance across the whole value chain," said Helen Blomqvist, President of Sandvik Coromant.

Blomqvist frames the score as a starting point rather than a verdict.

"The positive message from the report is that manufacturers are not starting from zero. Many already have the tools, technologies, and ambition they need to improve performance. The opportunity now is to make those assets work harder by connecting data across teams, reviewing technology more deliberately, developing people at every level and building stronger partnerships. Manufacturing wellness is about helping companies turn existing progress into long-term resilience."

Benchmark your own operation

Alongside the report, Sandvik Coromant's Manufacturing Wellness Assessment is available online. The tool consists of 28 questions and takes around 10 minutes to complete, giving manufacturers their own score and a read on strengths and improvement areas.

The takeaway for manufacturing professionals: the constraint in 2026 isn't access to technology. It's the discipline to connect it.