(ETQ: Burlington, MA) -- ETQ, part of Hexagon, has revealed results of its global survey “The Pulse of Quality in Manufacturing 2024.” The survey found that the vast majority of respondents (73%) have had a product recall in the past five years, with financial costs reaching $99.9 million in the United States alone for each recall. Respondents also cited additional negative consequences of product recalls, including damage to brand reputation, delayed product introductions, plant shutdowns, and personnel layoffs.

The survey was conducted on behalf of ETQ by the research firm Censuswide. More than 750 quality leaders and related project managers at manufacturing firms across the U.S., U.K., and Germany were asked about quality trends, initiatives, and current status of quality in their organizations.

A more promising trend revealed in the survey is the overwhelming plans for AI adoption, with 47% of respondents planning to use AI in the next two years (and 33% already using it). The survey also indicated a growing role for frontline workers in the manufacturing decision-making process.

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