# A Manufacturing Growth Outlook for 2025 w/ Cara Walton

- Show: [The Manufacturing Executive](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive)
- Published: 2025-01-07
- Length: 47m
- Episode: 239
- Page: https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton
- Listen: https://www.spreaker.com/show/the-manufacturing-executive#episode-cf19d0ba-e491-4adc-b014-a27d1758f174

## Summary

Cara Walton, Director at Wipfli and head of the Harbor IQ manufacturing intelligence platform, analyzes the 2025 outlook for US manufacturers based on data from over 10,000 companies. She details sector-specific trends, noting expected growth in automotive tooling due to new truck launches, recovery in medical device manufacturing, and strong aerospace demand, while agriculture and appliances remain flat. Walton also discusses the economic impact of the incoming Trump administration, specifically the risks of tariffs on China versus the integrated supply chains of Canada and Mexico, and highlights the persistent cost pressures and high-interest-rate environment facing small and medium-sized manufacturers.

## Chapters

- [0:36](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=36) Introduction and Harbor IQ Overview
- [7:47](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=467) 2024 Performance and 2025 Sector Forecasts
- [11:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=673) Automotive, Medical, and Aerospace Trends
- [11:13](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=673) Appliance and Agriculture Market Dynamics
- [26:18](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=1578) Tariffs, Trade Policy, and Economic Impact
- [33:50](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=2030) Cost Pressures, Inflation, and Labor Challenges
- [39:56](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/the-manufacturing-executive/2025-01-07-a-manufacturing-growth-outlook-for-2025-w-cara-walton#t=2396) Changing Sales Models and Future Outlook

## Topics

- [Policy, trade & tariffs](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/policy-trade-and-tariffs)
- [Pricing, margins & unit economics](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/pricing-and-unit-economics)
- [Validation & product-market fit](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/validation-and-product-market-fit)
- [Hiring & workforce](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/hiring-and-workforce)
- [Marketing & brand](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/topic/marketing-and-brand)

## Most relevant to

established companies

## Mentioned

- Wipfli (company)
- Harbor IQ (product)
- Gorilla 76 (company)
- Boeing (company)
- Airbus (company)
- GM (company)
- Stellantis (company)
- Federal Reserve (company)
- Department of Defense (company)

## Related episodes from other shows

- [Tariffs and Trade: EMS & The Economist on Global Manufacturing's Future Amid Political Shifts](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-02-05-tariffs-and-trade-ems-the-economist-on-global-manufacturings-future-amid-politic) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Challenging Economic Conditions and Shifting Landscapes in Global Manufacturing with TTI's Jeff Ray](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-01-17-challenging-economic-conditions-and-shifting-landscapes-in-global-manufacturing) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [EMS & The Economist - Tariffs Special - April 13th, 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-04-14-ems-the-economist-tariffs-special-april-13th-2025) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [Down at the Doctor's with Dr. Bill Cardoso and Dr. Eric Miscoll: AI Curiosity, Tariff Turmoil, Economic Uncertainty, and Much More](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/ems-c-level/2025-03-25-down-at-the-doctors-with-dr-bill-cardoso-and-dr-eric-miscoll-ai-curiosity-tariff) (EMS@C-LEVEL)
- [BONUS: How is the Manufacturing Industry Doing Halfway through 2025? Recorded at Hexagon LIVE 2025](https://hardwarepodcasts.com/podcast/manufacturing-happy-hour/2025-08-19-bonus-how-is-the-manufacturing-industry-doing-halfway-through-2025-recorded-at-h) (Manufacturing Happy Hour)

## Citing this page

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