Industry Insights: Key Challenges in Aerospace and Defense Manufacturing Adapted from PwC Research

As a precision manufacturer of dowel pins serving the aerospace and defense sector, Horberg Industries closely monitors industry trends. Recent PwC research highlights three critical challenges that resonate with our business:

Manufacturing Cost Pressures

We’re seeing firsthand how specialty material costs remain high despite broader economic improvements. As a precision components manufacturer, we’re responding by optimizing our production processes and working closely with customers to explore material alternatives where specifications allow.

Supply Chain Complexity

The research confirms what we’ve observed – extended lead times and sole-source dependencies create significant risks. At Horberg Industries, we’re strengthening our supplier relationships and investing in demand planning activities to ensure consistent dowel pin availability for critical A&D customers. While maintaining our high-precision standards, we’re also exploring additional sourcing options to reduce geopolitical risks.

Workforce Development

With precision manufacturing requiring specialized skills, we share the industry’s focus on workforce sustainability. We’re addressing this through our new training programs and partnerships with State of Connecticut programs and resources. Our investment in advanced manufacturing technology helps attract new talent while supporting our experienced machinists.

The path forward requires balancing efficiency with resilience. As your trusted precision dowel pin partner, we’re committed to proactive solutions that support both our customers’ immediate needs and long-term program success.

This is an excellent overview of today’s top three A&D industry-wide challenges: Supply chain inefficiencies that constrain production, workforce disruption, and inflation—which aren’t just formidable individually but also interact in complex and sometimes conflicting ways. 

Thanks to our friends at PwC for the insights.

For more information, contact Dave Chonko, dchonko@horberg.com