Research analyzes more than two dozen federal, academic, and industry sources to identify the biggest trends shaping millwork equipment investment.
Vernon Hills, IL – The 2026 Millwork Equipment Trends Report, a comprehensive analysis of the economic, technological, and labor forces shaping equipment purchasing decisions, has been released by Würth Baer Supply's machinery division, Würth Baer Machinery.
Drawing on federal economic data, academic research, industry surveys, and market reports, the study identifies a manufacturing sector that is becoming increasingly divided. Despite a slow-down in overall spending, manufacturers who have seen growth through 2025 are still committed to investing in technology that enhances productivity.
Among the report's key findings:
- Only 39% of woodworking manufacturers plan to increase capital spending in 2026, while most equipment buyers expect to invest less than $250,000 over the next three years.
- Productivity, product quality, and process consistency have overtaken labor shortages as the primary reasons manufacturers invest in automation.
- Employee training has become the industry's top planned investment priority, surpassing every machinery category.
- Made-to-order production continues to increase, strengthening the business case for CNC machining, nesting software, and digital manufacturing workflows.
- Robotics adoption remains limited despite broader manufacturing automation growth.
- Rising parts costs, evolving tariff policies, and changing remodeling demand are expected to influence equipment purchasing decisions through 2027.
"The conversation around woodworking automation has focused on labor shortages for years," said Taylor J. Shafer, author of the report at Würth Baer Supply. "Our research tells a more nuanced story. Manufacturers are investing because productivity, quality, and production flexibility generate stronger returns. Shops that continue investing during slower markets are positioning themselves to outperform when demand rebounds."
Millwork Equipment Trends Report
"As is always the case, the woodworking industry is chalk-full of cycles. Some years, commercial building is hot. Right now, data centers are all the rage. Residentially speaking, modest growth comes in the form of the remodeling market," explains John Geraghty, CEO at Wurth Baer Supply. "Down the road we will see single family and multi-family housing turn around. It is just a matter of the cycle and economic factors."
The report also examines long-term labor trends, Industry 4.0 adoption, dust collection compliance, equipment service strategies, and the economic outlook for residential construction and remodeling.
Unlike traditional market forecasts, the report combines publicly available federal statistics with peer-reviewed academic research and industry benchmarking studies to provide manufacturers with practical guidance for evaluating equipment investments.
The full report is available at Millwork Equipment Trends in 2026: What the Data Actually Says
About Würth Baer Machinery
Würth Baer Machinery is the machinery division of Wurth Baer Supply Company, backed by the combined experience of Akins Machinery, Hermance Machine Company, and J&G Machinery. They have combined forces to create a customer-first, full-service woodworking machinery dealer.