Manufacturing companies are reaching a tipping point. Business Process Management (BPM) has evolved from a "nice-to-have" to an absolute necessity for staying competitive. As we look at 2025, the landscape shows clear winners and losers based on how well manufacturers coordinate their business operations.
80% of manufacturing CEOs have increased their digital investments to stay competitive, yet 76% still find digital transformation challenging due to outdated systems and complex workflows. (Source)
The BPM market hit $20.38 billion in 2024 and is growing at over 20% annually, driven by companies desperate to manage increasing complexity. For manufacturers, this isn't just about technology—it's about survival. (Source)
These manufacturers have cracked the code. They've connected their entire quote-to-production workflow, from sales through delivery. Their departments work together seamlessly, customers get accurate delivery dates, and scaling doesn't mean chaos.
Result: Predictable operations, happy customers, and healthy profit margins.
Most manufacturers fall into this category. They know they need better processes but are stuck with:
Result: Stressed management, frustrated customers, and squeezed margins.
These companies still rely on tribal knowledge and manual handoffs. They're increasingly unable to compete with more efficient rivals and struggle to deliver consistent quality or timing.
Result: Declining competitiveness and limited growth potential.
The push toward business process management (BPM) in manufacturing isn’t just about adopting new tech—it’s about solving real operational challenges. Here are three key forces driving that change:
Modern BPM platforms—especially low-code and no-code tools—are removing the need for lengthy IT projects. Manufacturers can now configure and launch process solutions in weeks instead of months, making adoption faster, less expensive, and far more accessible to teams outside of IT.
Today’s customers expect more than just quality products. They want clear delivery timelines, real-time updates, and proactive communication when things change. Manual processes, disconnected tools, and tribal knowledge can’t keep up with these demands—and manufacturers are feeling the pressure.
Growth brings complexity. As teams expand, projects multiply, and deadlines tighten, informal processes start to break. Without structure, communication falters, handoffs get missed, and accountability disappears. BPM gives manufacturers the tools to bring order, visibility, and repeatability to every workflow.
Unlike other industries, manufacturers face unique BPM challenges:
Manufacturing digital transformation is expected to reach $642 billion by 2025, showing massive investment in operational efficiency. The question isn't whether to implement BPM—it's how quickly you can do it effectively. (Source)
The competitive gap between process leaders and laggards is widening rapidly. Companies with connected workflows are winning customer loyalty through reliability and responsiveness, while those stuck in manual processes are losing ground daily.
If you're still coordinating projects through email chains and spreadsheets, 2025 is your wake-up call. The manufacturers thriving today have moved beyond departmental silos to create seamless quote-to-delivery workflows.
If your processes feel overwhelming, disorganized, or unclear—you don’t have to settle for the chaos.
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