The High Cost of Slow, Manual Manufacturing Quoting

Manufacturers are at a crossroads. Buyer expectations are climbing, competition is heating up, and supply chains are as unpredictable as ever But one silent killer is draining growth faster than all the rest: outdated and slow manual manufacturing quoting processes.

In our recently released 2025 Built to Sell Report, we surveyed 200 U.S. manufacturers, and discovered that 86% admitted they’ve lost deals due to slow or manual quoting. Even worse, quoting inefficiencies are leaking an average of 5% of annual revenue (about $2.5M per year for a mid-sized manufacturer). For companies already navigating thin margins, that’s a direct threat to competitiveness.

Why Manufacturing Quoting Must Change

For too long, manufacturing quoting has run on spreadsheets, email threads, and siloed ERP data. That might have been “good enough” a decade ago. Today? It’s a deal-killer. B2B buyers expect the same speed, accuracy, and transparency they get in their consumer lives – and they won’t wait around for you to catch up.

And here’s the kicker: it’s not just about speed. Manual workflows create errors, bog down approvals, and frustrate everyone involved – from customers to sales teams. Our survey revealed the top culprits behind lost deals:

• Complex approval processes (53%)
• Insufficient pricing flexibility (47%)
• Misaligned customer requirements (45%)

Every time you rely on outdated processes instead of generating accurate manufacturing sales quotes, you’re letting profitability slip through your fingers.

Why the Best CPQ for Manufacturing Matters Now

This is where manufacturing quotes CPQ (Configure Price Quote) technology comes in. The best CPQ for manufacturing doesn’t just speed up quoting; it transforms the entire process into a growth engine.

• Instant accuracy: AI-driven pricing ensures every manufacturing sales quote reflects the latest costs, inventory, and customer terms.
• Faster cycle times: Configurable products that once took days to quote can now be delivered in hours or less.
• Integrated workflows: ERP and CRM integrations reduce errors and accelerate approvals.
• Scalable sales: Digital CPQ tools empower teams to manage more quotes with fewer resources, while enabling self-service options for buyers.

Here’s the paradox: while digital quoting and CPQ top the list of investment priorities, adoption is still lagging. Only 22% of manufacturers in our study currently use CPQ software, and just 11% are actively eliminating manual order entry. Translation? There’s massive opportunity for early movers to seize a competitive edge.

From Leakage to Growth

Let’s be blunt: every day you stick with manual quoting is another day you’re losing revenue, customers, and time. The upside is just as clear. With the right tools, you can:

• Stop revenue leakage from errors and delays

• Win deals with faster, more reliable manufacturing sales quotes

• Empower sales teams with AI-guided selling and automation

• Deliver a buyer experience built for the digital-first era

That’s exactly why we built the Aleran Connected Commerce platform – to unify quoting, CPQ, ERP/CRM integration, and digital commerce in one streamlined flow. No bolt-ons, no band-aids– just faster, smarter, and more resilient quoting that keeps pace with today’s market realities.

The truth is simple: the era of manual manufacturing quotes is over. Buyers won’t wait weeks for answers. And competitors that embrace manufacturing quotes CPQ and automation are already racing ahead.

In fact, I wrote about this for Digital Commerce 360 if you’d like more background on the demographic shifts and buyer preferences playing a role in driving change – How to Get On Board With the Amazonification of B2B Selling.

So, if you’re ready to stop the leakage and start scaling, now’s the time to explore how the best CPQ for manufacturing can transform your quoting process into a true growth engine.

Download the 2025 Built to Sell Report to learn more

Let’s Talk 

If you are reassessing how you sell, including quoting – or have questions to help assess your requirements, please send me a message at sales@aleran.com.