Design2Part Charlotte 2025 shined a light on how America’s quietest innovators are taking center stage.
Walking in and around, Design2Part (D2P) in Charlotte last week looked like any other manufacturing trade show: mostly men in branded polo shirts, rows of booths, machines humming, and components laid out like museum pieces.
But it wasn’t business as usual. Amid tariff turmoil, market volatility, technology unknowns, the strength of American manufacturing – from start up to enterprise – was undeniably resilient and quietly showcased what innovation really looks like
For me, the event put a long-overdue spotlight on the complexity and customization of products and parts we rely on but too often take for granted. And even more importantly, it shined a light on the unsung heroes of builders.
The Rise of the Quiet Innovator
For a first timer like me, it was the opportunity to see the kind of innovation taking place we don’t typically hear about. From engineer-to-order components to fully configurable parts, manufacturers showed up with capabilities most of the world doesn’t even know exists. And to be honest, I didn’t know some existed.
It was craftsmanship at scale. And the customers? Engineers, sourcing managers, and operations leads looking for answers and eager to tell their stories.
Complexity is the Norm But Is Still Treated Like an Exception
Mid-sized manufacturers are the heartbeat of U.S. industry. But they are often priced out of the technologies they need to modernize. So they end up extending and extending their homegrown or outdated systems because the time to change is so disruptive.
That’s why I started asking about their sales and quoting process and I heard a familiar theme: quotes live in Excel. Engineering is frustrated that Sales will overpromise without communication. Sales workflows are tribal knowledge. And ERPs? Teetering on extinction.
In a world where B2B buyers expect “Amazon-fast,” the very things that make manufacturers unique – complexity, customization, configuration – can feel like a liability.
But it doesn’t have to be with the right blend of process, people and technology, said Dr. Sheila Volante, PhD, Fractional CIO for manufacturers.
“When manufacturers align their IT with operations and really listen to the needs of the business, they can start to drive real change: bringing forward agile tools that complement—not compete with—their ERP and workforce, unlocking speed, accuracy, and resilience that scales.”
Volante encouraged manufacturers to think beyond the day-to-day numbers and metrics. And focus on long-term impact and vision.
“It’s about building systems and strategies that make you more adaptive, more connected, and more valuable five years from now than you are today.”
Mike Harrison, founder and owner of Shift Industrial Manufacturing, echoed her sentiment. He is a self-described thinker, writer and what-if guy with more than 20 years in B2B marketing working with small to mid-sized industrial manufacturers.
Small and mid-sized manufacturers are in a unique space and if they play it right, they have a competitive advantage, according to Harrison.
He said this is because they are structured but yet small enough to be nimble and to deliver the kinds of compelling products and experiences that drive meaningful, long-standing relationships.
What Aleran Saw
As a fully integrated B2B commerce and Configure, Price, Quote (CPQ) platform built for how manufacturers quote and sell, we didn’t just exhibit—we listened. And what we heard at D2P Charlotte was clear:
- Manufacturers don’t need more tools. They need smarter ones.
Ones that work as an extension of their sales and marketing teams. Ones that plug into their ERP. Ones that can handle the nuance of quoting, and scale without a 12-month IT roadmap and investment. - Speed wins.
The booths that booked follow-ups were the ones quoting in hours, not days. The buying cycle is collapsing—if you’re not fast, you’re forgotten. - Complex selling is a competitive advantage.
The manufacturers at D2P aren’t building widgets—they’re solving for precision, lead times, and engineering challenges that require real-time flexibility.
What Comes Next: The Manufacturing Renaissance
The real opportunity? Connecting the dots.
D2P Charlotte made it clear that manufacturers are ready to modernize – and Millennial and GenZ leaders see and know their audiences have started changing.
There’s a movement where fewer prospects and customers want to talk or meet live, said Karoline Keith, New Business Development for Global Manufacturing Services, Inc.
She reported that they want to self service and to help to take out the guess work. Beyond its contract manufacturing and electronic manufacturing services, the customers of Global Manufacturing Services, Inc. rely on the peace of mind and responsiveness they know they can count on.
And that’s where platforms like Aleran can deliver ease and consistency. Not to replace an ERP or Sales teams, but rather to extend reach and impact. Not to oversimplify quoting, but to accelerate it.
The Takeaway
I started writing this on the plane returning to Minnesota. The below line caught the eye of my seatmate eyeing my laptop who said he felt seen for his work in construction, building what often seems impossible.
The real innovation isn’t happening in Silicon Valley. It is happening in towns like Jefferson, N.C. In Louisville, Ky. In Wausau, Wis. It is happening in the factories and fabricators that still make things people rely on every day—but now with the tools that finally match their complexity.
These towns aren’t just building things: They’re building the future. They’re harnessing modern tools—robotics, additive manufacturing, digital control systems—to solve real-world problems at scale, on the ground, in the industries that power our communities.
They are building what matters, better and smarter.
Would you like to talk about your needs and if we can help? Contact us at sales@aleran.com to schedule a time. We welcome hearing from you!
