Despite widespread labor shortages, many CPG manufacturers report limited automation in key operations. While plans are underway to expand automation, barriers such as cost, space, and flexibility limit adoption. 
PMMI Business Intelligence: 2025 Inside the Workforce Gap
According to the 2025 Inside the Workforce Gap report by PMMI, The Association for Packaging and Processing Technologies, only 42% of CPGs currently automate loading/unloading, while even fewer have automated tasks like warehousing (23%), quality inspection (22%), and changeovers (13%). A surprising 35% reported no automation in any of the listed areas.
