Survey Context
Background of this study
Globally, businesses are expected to undergo an unprecedented wave of capital spending by 2027.
Our analysis indicates that annual CapEx by industrial companies will grow by 30-45% by 2027, compared to a 19% increase from 2019 to 2023. Key drivers include decarbonization, digitalization, and the recalibration of global production and supply networks.
However, our research also highlights a significant challenge: most businesses are unprepared to execute with the required speed and efficiency. This has led to 24% of CapEx projects experiencing budget overruns and 17% facing delays.
Expenditure and delay by industry
Over the recent years, EFESO Management Consultants has supported over 1,000 CapEx programs globally and observed a pronounced gap in maturity between leading and lagging organizations.
Additionally, the potential transfer and application of proven best practices across industries remains limited. Sectors such as Energy & Utilities, Telecommunications, and Oil & Gas—those expected to invest the most in the coming years—often demonstrate the least capability in managing CapEx effectively.
Given the evident disparities in optimization maturity, the urgency to act is clear. It is time to better understand where the industry stands, the key challenges identified by leaders, and the actions prioritized to address these challenges.
