Emerging technologies continue to give industrial maintenance processes the potential to be more efficient from cost and productivity standpoints. The past year brought numerous challenges, including ongoing cost pressures, persistent skills gaps and continued need for investment in technology. As facilities face critical decisions in 2026 to maintain profitability, it’s imperative to remain aware of the industrial maintenance industry trends that are expected to have an impact in the near future, including predictive maintenance and smart manufacturing.
By adopting leading-edge tactics such as integrating the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), artificial intelligence and machine learning, manufacturers can realize unprecedented and unexpected process and margin improvements. Read on for our forecast of the industrial maintenance trends for 2026.
The top 10 trends in industrial maintenance services for 2026
We expect these trends and technologies to drive the face of the industrial maintenance services market in 2026.
1. Advanced condition monitoring
With the advent of smart factories, many facilities are gradually becoming exposed to the benefits of sensors and adding them to their critical assets, especially now that the cost of these devices has dropped. These track performance and provide insight into red flags such as abnormal vibration, heat or noise, all of which can foretell an eventual machine breakdown. This enables the issue to be addressed before it creates a service disruption. Recent advancements over the past two years laid out the groundwork, and 2026 should be about scaling and standardizing condition monitoring across the manufacturing asset base. Condition monitoring enables more accurate root cause analysis as well as effective and proactive maintenance. Implementing AI also is expected to have an impact on the future of maintenance management, as predictive analytics make it possible to detect potential issues even earlier than in the past.
2. Additive manufacturing
3D printing means it may no longer be necessary to take equipment offline for days while waiting for replacement parts. In many cases, it may be possible for repair techs to print a new component on the spot. It’s easy to see how this could dramatically reduce downtime and improve productivity. As an augmentation to existing traditional supply chains, 3D printing has a lot of upside. Although additive manufacturing is not new to the industry, it is expected to become more of a mainstream tool in maintenance shops heading into 2026. Advancements in technology have led to faster printing speeds as well as the ability to print more complex components. This has the potential to reduce downtime even further as well as the dependence on traditional supply chains.
3. Enhanced data collection and predictive analytics
Data is the backbone of today’s most effective and efficient manufacturing facilities, and this year promises even more uses for that data. Maintenance teams now have access to key metrics including MTBF, MTTR, OEE, risk scores and probability-of-failure. Additional sensor implementation is only “Step One” of this trend. Facilities are also always building upon their data repository, enabling more accurate modeling, effective forecasting and innovative ways of using and analyzing data. Improvements in machine learning algorithms also improve predictive accuracy, enabling manufacturers to use historical and real-time data to forecast their maintenance needs as effectively as possible. Generative AI makes it possible to turn complex data into clear, actionable insights—presented in plain language so every stakeholder understands what needs to happen and why. It all adds to the latest maintenance practices such as predictive maintenance, which stops problems before they start and provides heretofore unseen benefits for the facility.
4. AI and GenAI assistants for maintenance teams
Artificial intelligence started to reveal its true potential to the manufacturing sector in 2025, and there’s every reason to believe 2026 will be the year this technology reaches maturity. One of the most exciting applications in terms of industrial maintenance is the use of AI “copilots.” These modules can gather and summarize data from a CMMS and suggest likely root causes for failures based on symptoms. From there, technicians can receive automatically generated work orders, job plans or PM updates. The benefits include faster troubleshooting for less-experienced industrial maintenance technicians, less time spent digging through records and decision-making that features more consistency. Far from replacing human expertise, these AI systems are making themselves known as powerful tools to aid workers on the floor.
5. Downtime reduction strategies
Establishments understand that equipment downtime is one of the biggest resource wastes that can occur in manufacturing. That reality is starker than ever in the face of a pressing need to be as efficient, lean and agile as possible as supply chains continue to experience disruptions around the world. In 2025, many plants focused on reducing downtime and delivering rapid returns. In 2026, the focus is expected to shift to achieving sustained, system-level improvements that drive long-term reliability and performance. Predictive maintenance, enabled by the factors described above, is one of the most effective ways to eliminate unplanned downtime. This allows personnel to identify issues and schedule maintenance when it is most convenient and least disruptive. With the addition of AI-enabled maintenance scheduling, facilities can plan their activities for the least-disruptive times, reducing the amount of unexpected and unnecessary downtime.
6. Uptime and profit margin optimization
Hand in hand with a downtime reduction is the drive to improve uptime and thus profit margins for the facility, driving equipment ROI and resource value. In light of the difficulties they have experienced over the last few years in terms of inflation, high interest rates and delayed capex, process profitability will be a key focus for manufacturers. The most effective way to drive margins is to keep equipment running as much—and as efficiently—as possible. New technology gives manufacturers the ability to analyze every maintenance task to determine its direct impact on uptime and profit margins.
7. Data-driven storeroom management
With the benefits of data analysis, inventory management improvements go hand in hand with maintenance efficiencies. The ease with which facilities can track things such as MRO part needs and availability, means that more manufacturers will be aware of the inefficiency of their current inventory practices. This includes connected MRO concepts in which storeroom data feeds into predictive maintenance and budgeting. They will also be mindful of the benefits that they can gain from implementing a technology- and data-driven inventory plan. Just a few of the benefits include accurate ordering and forecasting, easier identification of spares, more control over storeroom management and faster, efficient maintenance. Automated inventory management systems and predictive stocking practices also ensure critical parts are always on-hand by harnessing the power of real-time usage data. In 2025, many manufacturers moved from basic inventory lists to integrated MRO analytics, and 2026 is expected to bring more continuous optimization and supplier collaboration to the forefront.
8. Increased use of virtual and remote technology
No forecast of maintenance industry trends would be complete without addressing the impact of advanced virtual reality technology, and maintenance is no exception. Virtual technology is poised to fast-track its way into a more commonplace method of carrying out maintenance diagnostics and troubleshooting, thanks to better connectivity, more-rugged devices and improved user experiences. Condition monitoring and other new technology in manufacturing maintenance can provide a near “hands-on” experience for offsite personnel, enabling accurate, real-time processes from anywhere. The use of AR and VR in maintenance also includes training, giving technicians the chance to practice regular procedures without risk of damaging actual equipment. After significant adoption acceleration in 2024 and 2025, remote and virtual tools are moving from experimental to the standard toolkit in 2026. This means more manufacturers will be able to integrate them into their daily maintenance routines.
9. Ongoing focus on safety and compliance
Keeping workers safe as they carry out maintenance should always be of the utmost importance. We believe this trend will continue to bear itself out over the coming year as more companies invest in training and establishing effective programs. Wearable technology can monitor employees’ health indicators and deliver real-time risk alerts to keep them safe. With the advent of AI-driven safety checks in 2025, manufacturers saw improved operational efficiency and environmental compliance. In 2026, they will continue pushing the envelope by integrating safety data into the same dashboards they use for OEE and maintenance.
10. Expanded adoption of IIoT devices
Communication is critical in manufacturing, and now that applies to machines as well. Connectivity between equipment enables manufacturers to achieve greater efficiencies and more-effective maintenance plans, thanks to the data their machinery provides. This maintenance technology also makes it possible for operators to monitor machine health and performance from a distance, allowing them to schedule maintenance activity without necessarily seeing the equipment’s condition in person. Increased interconnectivity and data exchange between these IIoT-enabled devices enable a fully integrated “smart factory” in which each machine communicates its condition in a seamless fashion. We expect IIoT to continue growing in terms of influence and adoption throughout the manufacturing sector as companies move out of the pilot program stage and implement integrated enterprise IIoT platforms.
11. Sustainable maintenance and energy efficiency
Conserving resources isn’t just good from a PR perspective—it’s also a solid business practice. With growing consumer and regulatory pressures, every aspect of the manufacturing industry is being examined for the impact on ESG initiatives. This is why many in the manufacturing sector are adopting sustainable maintenance protocols and using eco-friendly technologies including closed-loop water systems, renewable energy sources and energy-efficient equipment. By reducing the impact these activities have on the environment, manufacturers also can lower their energy consumption, becoming leaner and greener. In 2026, it is expected that more plants will set public energy and emissions targets, which call for new maintenance strategies to ensure they are met.
12. Cybersecurity and OT security in maintenance
Protecting against hackers and data breaches is no longer solely IT’s problem. Now that connected maintenance tools like IIoT, remote access and mobile devices are commonplace, the risks have never been higher. This means maintenance teams must be prepared to identify and mitigate vulnerabilities in these systems before manufacturers fall prey to ransomware, cyberattacks and other threats. In the near future, maintenance teams will need to become familiar with security frameworks such as zero-trust architecture, robust authentication and extensive training in data hygiene. As more tools become digitized, integrating cyber resilience into every maintenance strategy is essential to protect reliability and ensure long-term performance.
Updating maintenance strategies in 2026
As you can see, ongoing trends in maintenance management such as predictive maintenance, Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), and data-driven processes comprise the basis of almost every major 2026 trend. Some of these ideas may strengthen your maintenance operations, while others may offer less impact. The key is to take a targeted approach that prioritizes changes based on your critical assets and operational goals.
As a technology-driven leader in outsourced industrial maintenance, ATS is ready to answer any questions you may have about how to take advantage of the latest in predictive maintenance trends and technologies. Our skilled experts can help you assess your current maintenance maturity, build roadmaps for improvements and provide the resources to help you execute them. We’ll work with you to enable the maximum benefit to your operations. For more information, contact us today.
