June 3, 2025 - We polled over 500 manufacturing and distribution business leaders to understand the trends, opportunities, and challenges this sector is experiencing today, including financial performance. Our 2025 Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report reveals important factors driving financial growth, considerations in revenue decline, and offers perspectives on where business leaders see potential to unlock future value.

Revenue Growth

Seventy-eight percent of respondents report significant or some/modest revenue growth in 2024 compared to 2023. The number of companies reporting growth last year compared to this year is declining. In our 2024 survey report, 96% of respondents said year-over-year growth was significant or modest. On top of that, only 17% saw significant revenue growth in 2024, while nearly half, or 49%, of manufacturing and distribution company leaders had significant revenue growth in 2023. With other headwinds on the horizon that we explore in our full report, it appears that the days of significant growth are a thing of the past.

EBITDA Growth and Drivers

Earnings growth mirrored revenue growth, with 77% of respondents reporting some/modest or significant growth in EBITDA. Two in ten survey respondents say EBITDA grew significantly in 2024. The year-to-year revenue and EBITDA performance is strikingly different than 2023 when five in ten said earnings growth was significant and 94% reported significant or some/modest growth. It looks like the days of significant EBITDA growth are behind us.

When asked about the top drivers of EBITDA growth or decline, manufacturing and distribution leaders predominantly point to aspects of product demand. EBITDA growth in 2024 is attributable to top factors like increases in product demand, improvement in product demand, stabilization of demand, or the introduction of new products. At the root of declining EBITDA are factors like decreased product demand and rising overhead costs like labor and insurance.

Meeting Customer’s Expectations to Drive Growth

In an uncertain market, it is critical that manufacturing and distribution companies adequately respond to evolving customer needs. Our survey respondents report that product availability, customer service, pricing, and technical knowledge are most important to customers. For deeper insight into how companies are focusing on meeting customer expectations to create value, access our report below.

Citrin Cooperman’s Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report

Citrin Cooperman’s Manufacturing and Distribution Industry Practice strives to provide our clients with insights that will help them continue to grow and succeed in today’s quickly evolving environment. Our sixth annual Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report aggregates insights from manufacturers and distributors in driving future growth, managing through instability, and improving their strategic business planning. Access our report to discover timely insights into the opportunities and challenges facing manufacturers and distributors today.

Access the 2025 Manufacturing and Distribution Pulse Survey Report