#2 - Dave Evans, Co-Founder & CEO at Fictiv

Join us on this week's episode of the Slice of Manufacturing podcast, hosted by Jared S. Taylor!

Our Guest Today is: Dave Evans, Co-Founder & CEO at Fictiv

What you’ll get out of this episode:

Fictiv’s Mission & Growth: How Fictiv is simplifying custom mechanical parts manufacturing across four countries.
Global Supply Chain Challenges: Navigating tariffs, trade wars, and disruptions in a complex global market.
Manufacturing Trends in Key Sectors: Growth in medtech, clean energy, and defense industries amid U.S. factory resurgence.
The Role of AI & Digitization: How AI is accelerating efficiency and de-risking supply chain operations.
Strategies for Supply Chain Resilience: Multi-region sourcing, redundancy planning, and community-driven revitalization.

The Future of Global Manufacturing: Insights from Fictiv’s CEO

Building a Modern Manufacturing Ecosystem

Dave Evans, Co-Founder & CEO of Fictiv, has spent over a decade at the forefront of transforming global manufacturing. From his early days as a mechanical engineer at Ford to leading a company that operates across the U.S., China, India, and Mexico, Evans understands the complexities of supply chain management. Fictiv’s mission is to simplify sourcing for custom mechanical parts, helping companies scale from prototype to mass production.

The Global Supply Chain Crisis & Its Ripple Effects

Over the past five years, global trade has faced unprecedented challenges, from tariffs and trade wars to the COVID-19 pandemic and ongoing geopolitical tensions. Evans highlights that while the world is more digitally connected than ever, global trade has never been more fragile. He predicts that 2025 will bring disruptions on par with 2020, requiring businesses to rethink supply chain resilience.

Tariffs & Protectionism: A New Business Reality

The U.S. is entering a protectionist era, where tariffs are being leveraged as both economic and political tools. Recent executive orders have introduced 25% tariffs on steel and aluminum, impacting industries that rely on global sourcing. Evans advises businesses to move beyond short-term reactions and adopt a long-term strategy with contingency plans (Plan A, B, and C) to navigate trade uncertainties.

Industry-Specific Manufacturing Trends

Certain sectors are poised for significant growth despite supply chain complexities:

Medtech Innovation: The U.S. remains a leader in medical device manufacturing, with advancements in heart stents, prosthetics, and biotech.
Clean Energy & EVs: Factory construction in states like Texas and Nevada is fueling job growth and innovation in battery storage and alternative energy.
Defense & Aerospace: Companies like Anduril and Regent Craft are driving innovation in defense and electric aviation, creating new manufacturing hubs in unexpected locations like Rhode Island.

The Role of AI & Digital Transformation

While AI is often associated with software, its real power lies in optimizing physical industries. AI-driven supply chain management can reduce risks, enhance efficiency, and support smarter manufacturing decisions. Evans emphasizes that the most groundbreaking innovations aren’t just in large language models—they’re happening on the factory floor, in climate tech, and in advanced robotics.

How Companies Can Build Resilient Supply Chains

Manufacturers must diversify their sourcing strategies by establishing operations in multiple regions. Whether a company is sourcing from China, India, or within the U.S., redundancy is critical. Evans urges businesses to collaborate with companies like Fictiv, which already have boots on the ground and infrastructure in place to support a global supply chain.

Revitalizing U.S. Manufacturing

Fictiv is leading efforts to revitalize American manufacturing, hosting a U.S. Supply Chain Summit in Q2 of this year. This event will bring together industry leaders from finance, tech, and manufacturing to discuss the future of domestic production. Evans encourages businesses to participate and drive meaningful change in reshoring efforts.

Final Thoughts

As global trade enters a new era, businesses must embrace adaptability and innovation to thrive. Whether through AI, strategic sourcing, or community-driven initiatives, the future of manufacturing will be shaped by those who prepare today.