Kansas Manufacturing Industry Questionnaire Results 2023

Kansas Manufacturers have made their voices heard. 

The Kansas Manufacturing Industry Results Report is a comprehensive, annual report that gauges Kansas manufacturing executives’ perceptions of the state of their business and outlook on manufacturing to identify and explore key issues impacting their companies and employees.

KMS conducts an annual statewide manufacturing industry needs assessment to better understand the needs, challenges, and opportunities of manufacturers in Kansas.  The 2023 assessment was conducted during the late fall of 2023.  

The results have been compiled and are available for DOWNLOAD.     

Key findings include the following:

• 58% of companies intend to leverage improved products to expand market penetration, thereby increasing their market share and driving profits.
• Currently, the industry contends with significant hurdles including inflationary pressures, which drive up operational costs and squeeze profit margins.
• A prevalent challenge for manufacturing companies is attracting qualified workers (87%), with many facing difficulties in recruiting skilled talent (53%).
• There is a notable emphasis on allocating resources toward implementing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, enhancing cybersecurity measures, and bolstering employee safety programs.
• Remarkably, a staggering 96% of manufacturers express optimism regarding their company’s trajectory, underscoring a resilient outlook amidst challenging market conditions.

Participating in this questionnaire provided manufacturers the chance to make a real impact on how key stakeholders in manufacturing make decisions in the future. The results will help shape the offerings and services of manufacturing support organizations, workforce training programs, local economic development organizations, and more.  The final aggregated results are shared widely.