WHMA Survey Identifies Top Priorities: Design Quality & Automation Lead the Way

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The Wiring Harness Manufacturer’s Association (WHMA), a council of the Global Electronics Association, announced the results of an industry survey, revealing the need for systems to catch and collect errors to ensure design quality and automation to create efficiencies and reduce risk.

Cable and Wire Harness protect the collection of wires and cables in vehicles and other complex systems to ensure the safe and efficient transmission of electricity. A global industry, estimates value the market at $99.59 billion in 2024 and it is projected to reach $147 billion by 2034.

Conducted by WHMA’s newly formed Innovation Advisory Team (IAT), the survey demonstrates the most pressing challenges and opportunities shaping the industry’s future. The IAT, co-chaired by Arik Vrobel, CEO of Cableteque, and George Jacob, Director of Etron Systems, brings together leading voices from MBDA-Systems, LCMO, RocketlabUSA, Rivian, KomaxGroup, Protronics, ECI International, Motherson and Qualtronics. They will use these survey insights to guide actionable strategies, foster industry-wide collaboration, and support members as they adapt to evolving demands.

Top Five Priorities Identified

1. Design Quality and Customer Error Management
   Validating customer designs before manufacturing was ranked the highest innovation priority (52.4%), reflecting the need for systems to catch and correct errors early. 76% of respondents report encountering customer design errors “sometimes” or “often.”
2. Process Speed and Automation
   Nearly 74% describe their quoting process as “manual, time-intensive, and too slow.” Respondents rated automated bill of materials enhancement (4.50/5) and faster quoting tools as critical, underscoring the role of speed-to-quote as a competitive advantage.
3. Knowledge Capture and Standardization
   Over 57% of organizations rely on tribal knowledge for quoting, while 50% face challenges with incomplete or inaccurate customer information. Respondents emphasized the need for better documentation and standardized processes to reduce risk and improve consistency.
4. Digital Tool Integration and Modernization
   While more than 75% expressed interest in adopting digital platforms, barriers include cost (64.3%) and system compatibility (57.1%). With 47.6% still relying on basic Excel or Word-based tools, the data points to significant opportunities for digital transformation.
5. Workforce Development and Training
   Skills gaps hinder technology adoption for 45.2% of respondents. More than half (51.2%) said they need access to training programs, and 64.3% expressed interest in WHMA-backed standardized tools, highlighting the importance of workforce development and certification.

“These results clearly reflect an industry in transition, moving away from traditional, manual approaches toward digitization, standardization, and workforce development,” said Arik Vrobel, IAT Co-Chair and CEO of Cableteque. “By focusing on these priorities, WHMA and our members can help shape a more efficient, innovative, and resilient wire harness industry.”

WHMA is looking for industry subject matter experts that can help drive positive change to solve the challenges identified in the survey results.  Companies interested in participating can email WHMA Executive Director David Bergman at DavidBergman@electronics.org.