Automation That Matters: What Manufacturing SMEs Prioritize In 2026

© FORRESTER RESEARCH, INC. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED. 6 Manufacturing SMEs Want Modernization, But They Struggle With Strategy And Fear Disruption Modernization fails or succeeds on strategy — not on the technology itself. Aligning new tools to business goals while balancing efficiency, quality, and integration has become a high-stakes juggling act. “Our biggest challenge was installing the automation technology without disrupting production. Finding a rare window to shut down the plant for up to a week meant we ultimately had to schedule the installation over the Christmas break.” — PRODUCTION MANAGER, MANUFACTURING SME, CANADA

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