LIVE WEBINAR: Pulse & Workforce Report 2026
Wednesday, August 12, 2026 (2:00 PM - 3:00 PM) (EDT)
Description
FREE & ONLY FOR IFI MEMBERS
WHEN: August 12th, 2026
TIME: 2:00 PM - 3:00 PM EST
FORMAT: Go to Webinar (link to join webinar will be coming from Daniel Walker customercare@gotowebinar.com)
WEBINAR DETAILS:
Join the Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI) for an exclusive member webinar led by Cara Walton, Director at Wipfli, as we review the latest findings from the IFI Pulse Survey and Wage & Benefits Study. This session will provide a timely, high-level view of the overall health of the fasteners industry, highlighting key trends in business performance, workforce dynamics, and compensation practices. Attendees will gain actionable insights into how peer organizations are navigating current market conditions, as well as emerging patterns in wages, benefits, and talent retention. This webinar is open to all IFI members and is designed to equip leaders with benchmarking insights to inform strategic and operational decisions.
- Executive Summary: Outlines the key takeaways from the study along with commentary and anecdotal information directly from the team at Wipfli who spends much of their time in the businesses that responded to this survey.
- Overall Manufacturing Pulse: Outlines the state of the overall manufacturing industry based off data that Wipfli collected from 321 respondents across process type and industries.
- Fastener Pulse: This section dives deeper than the overall manufacturing pulse to analyze the specific process.
- Workforce Analysis: Analysis on the current workforce, hiring and retention, and human resources departments.
PRESENTER: Cara Walton, Director at Wipfli
About Wipfli’s Manufacturing Industry Research
advisory and accounting firm, ranked among the top 25 in the United States, with more than 300 industry-focused professionals and over 7,500 manufacturing, retail, and distribution clients. The firm helps organizations achieve measurable, lasting results through services ranging from operational improvements and performance enhancement to large-scale digital transformation.
Wipfli’s expertise spans key business areas, including financial growth, tax optimization, operational excellence, strategic tariff planning, and workforce engagement—helping clients strengthen their competitive position and pursue new opportunities.
Industry Research and Participation
Wipfli regularly conducts comprehensive market research within the manufacturing sector to identify key trends, benchmarks, and forward-looking indicators. This includes industries such as:
- Tool builders
- Metalformers
- Suppliers
- Gears and bearings manufacturers
- Forgers
- Fastener producers
- Plastics processors
- Die casters
The research findings are carefully analyzed by Wipfli’s team, with follow-up outreach conducted when clarification is needed to ensure data accuracy.
This study was conducted in collaboration with several leading industry associations, including:
- Precision Metalforming Association (PMA)
- Industrial Fasteners Institute (IFI)
- Motion and Power Manufacturers Alliance (MPMA)
- Manufacturers Association of Plastics Processors (MAPP)
For additional insights and thought leadership, visit:
https://www.wipfli.com/manufacturing
WHO SHOULD ATTEND:
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