When competitors can offer lower prices, the question becomes: what are they doing differently?
Increasingly, the answer is how effectively they are using technology.
Across manufacturing, cost pressure isn’t new. Margins have always been tight, and businesses are constantly looking for ways to operate more efficiently. But what’s changing now is the speed at which technology is evolving, and how quickly it’s starting to impact how businesses run. What felt like a gradual shift is now accelerating.
There’s always been innovation. New systems, better reporting, improved automation. But the pace we’re seeing now feels different. Tools that were either unavailable or unrealistic 12–18 months ago are now accessible, affordable and being implemented quickly. And the impact isn’t limited to one function: it’s cutting across the entire business.
From production through to finance, the way work gets done is starting to change. Here’s our view of how that looks.
Finance is already evolving.
In manufacturing finance, this shift is already happening.
- Better data.
- Faster reporting.
- More automation.
- More predictive insight.
Finance teams are spending less time producing numbers and more time interpreting them. Less time on manual processes and more time supporting decisions. Not only does that change what “good” looks like in a finance team, it changes the duties of the roles, and the structure of teams.
Efficiency is becoming a competitive advantage.
The businesses adopting these tools well aren’t just becoming more efficient, they’re becoming more competitive. When costs are rising across labour, materials and operations, even small improvements in efficiency can have a meaningful impact and the endless technology available is making that more achievable.
The tools available now aren’t as expensive or complex as people expect but the difference sits in how they’re used and how quickly businesses are willing to adapt. Those exploring it early are already seeing the benefit.
Technology won’t replace people, but it will change how they work.
There’s a lot of conversation around AI replacing roles. Yes, it absolutely will some, but not for all. It’s more likely to reshape them.
AI can process data, summarise information and even generate outputs. But it can’t truly understand context. It can’t build relationships and it absolutely can’t challenge thinking in the way a strong finance professional can. That human element is still critical.
If anything, as technology becomes more capable, the need for people who can interpret, question and apply it properly becomes even more important.
The businesses that get this right will move faster
The gap won’t necessarily be between businesses who have access to technology and those who don’t.
It will be between those who embrace it early, understand how to apply it and adapt their teams accordingly, and those who don’t.
What this means for hiring
As the roles in finance evolve, so do the expectations of the people within them. We’re seeing increasing demand for individuals who can:
- Work with data, not just produce it
- Interpret outputs and challenge assumptions
- Engage with stakeholders across the business
- Adapt as systems and processes evolve
- Implement tech, systems et
The technical foundation still matters, but on its own, it’s no longer enough, the value now sits in how finance interacts with the rest of the business.
Keeping up isn’t about having all the answers.
For many businesses, particularly SMEs, the challenge isn’t a lack of awareness, it’s knowing where to start. Not every business has a transformation team or a clear technology roadmap. In reality, a lot of finance leaders are trying to balance day-to-day delivery whilst working out what these changes mean for them and that’s completely normal.
Keeping up doesn’t mean having everything in place. It means staying close to what’s happening.
- Speak to peers and share ideas
- Attend industry events and networking groups
- Learn how other businesses are using systems, data and AI
- Gradually introduce changes, rather than trying to overhaul everything at once
Remember, everyone is in the same boat navigating the same shift and no one has all the answers.
But if you’re not engaging with it in some way, it becomes very easy to fall behind.
The businesses that stay curious, ask questions and learn from others are the ones that tend to move forward fastest, even when they don’t feel like they are.