Cara Walton

Director, Wipfli Advisory LLC

Location: Detroit, MI
Contact: +1 248 370 5908
Email: cara.walton@wipfli.com

Cara Walton leads Wipfli’s manufacturing benchmarking intelligence tool, overseeing its strategic growth, data acquisition and intelligence gathering. Under her leadership, the tool has analyzed millions of data points from thousands of manufacturers, become the top resource for manufacturing benchmarking with 7+ years of trended data and launched a division for custom market studies across durable goods industries.

University of Louisville

Bachelor of arts, economics

INDUSTRY EXPERTISE

Manufacturing

SERVICES

Performance management Technology consulting

Friday, August 7, 2026
Metal fabricators should prepare for economic uncertainty (opens in new tab)
Publication: the fabricator
Monday, July 20, 2026
MON AM News: UW research paving way for ‘scalable and practical’ quantum computing; State farmland values hold firm in 2025, report shows (opens in new tab)
Publication: WisBusiness
Thursday, July 16, 2026
Wipfli Survey: Efficiency Gains Fail to Boost Profits (opens in new tab)
Publication: Plastics Today

Latest case studies, resources, and insights

ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Tariff update for manufacturers: What’s the state of tariffs in mid-2026?
What’s the status of manufacturing tariffs in mid-2026? Learn how new Section 301, Section 232 and Section 338 tariffs could affect your business, plus how to start adapting.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Manufacturing outlook: The challenges in the current economic environment
Explore the manufacturing economic outlook and learn how inflation, labor shortages, interest rates and demand trends are affecting manufacturers.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
We asked 456 manufacturers about the state of the industry. Here’s what they said.
To find out how manufacturers are adapting to the pressures facing the industry, Wipfli surveyed 456 executives. What are the key trends, insights and action steps you should know?
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
How manufacturers can pursue IEEPA tariff refunds
Learn whether the tariffs you paid are eligible for a refund after the IEEPA ruling and discover the steps manufacturers can take to recover duties.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Section 301 tariff hearings conclude in Washington, D.C
The Trump administration is considering Section 301 tariffs. The legal and public challenges this round of tariffs face and how businesses can prepare.
Learn More
ARTICLE | AUTOMOTIVE MANUFACTURING
Auto industry trends: What can you learn from OEMs’ Q4 2025 earnings reports?
OEMs recently released their Q4 financial reports. What should you know about how industry revenues, sales and per-vehicle profitability are trending — and could rising oil prices change everything?
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Trump administration acts to impose additional tariffs under Section 232 and Section 301 in response to the IEEPA court ruling
The Trump administration is acting to impose new Section 232 and 301 tariffs to replace the IEEPA tariffs struck down by the Supreme Court. What could this mean for manufacturers?
Learn More
ARTICLE | DISTRIBUTION
Section 122 tariffs: 10% now, 15% may be next
Section 122 tariffs are now in effect at 10%, with 15% possible next. Learn what manufacturers, distributors and importers should do now.
Learn More
ARTICLE | NONPROFITS
Associations are sitting on a data gold mine. Are leaders making the most of it?
As association leaders look for new ways to excite members and remain relevant, data products offer a huge potential opportunity. What do you need to know?
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Q1 2026 manufacturing trends: Mood is up but so is the cost of doing business
What are the key challenges facing manufacturing in spring 2026? Here’s what 301 industry leaders told Wipfli, plus why they’re more optimistic than a year ago.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
IEEPA tariff refunds: The recent CIT ruling and Section 122 updates
Our tariff refunds update covers the latest tariff shifts and CIT ruling. Read now to stay ahead of trade challenges and see how to secure your potential refund.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Supreme Court IEEPA ruling: President can’t impose tariffs under IEEPA
The Supreme Court IEEPA tariff ruling brings immediate relief, refund questions and new risks. Learn how the ruling may impact your business and plan next steps.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
New federal funding opportunities open up for manufacturers
The federal government recently introduced new funding for manufacturing apprenticeships, along with SBA MARC loans. Can these help your manufacturing business?
Learn More
WEBINAR | MANUFACTURING
The state of manufacturing: Trends, tariffs and trade realities
Shifting tariff and trade policies are reshaping manufacturing. Join Wipfli for a focused look at manufacturing trends, market signals and what to watch next.
Learn More
ARTICLE | PERFORMANCE MANAGEMENT
Navigating tariffs, inflation and high rates: How executives are making decisions without certainty
Leaders can’t wait for certainty. Use these approaches to make difficult decisions amid tariffs, inflation and high capital costs.
Learn More
ARTICLE | DISTRIBUTION
Global trade in 2026: An update on tariffs and key policy shifts
Get the latest update on tariffs, including U.S. trade negotiations, global duty changes and what businesses can do now to prepare for shifting tariff policies.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
What manufacturers need to know as the USMCA renewal review commences
The USTR’s USMCA review is underway, with 1,500 comments signaling big implications for manufacturers ahead of the 2026 renewal. Here’s what to watch.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Manufacturers tariffs update: What’s ahead for U.S. manufacturing
Explore the latest updates on manufacturers tariffs, including Section 232 investigations, new tariffs and upcoming trade actions impacting U.S. manufacturing.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
6 manufacturing trends to watch as you near the end of 2025
Based on survey data from 249 manufacturing businesses, learn how key factors like tariffs and regulatory uncertainty are driving top manufacturing trends in 2025.
Learn More
ARTICLE | MANUFACTURING
Uncertainty in the industry: Looking at the results of Wipfli’s Q1 manufacturing pulse study
The results of Wipfli’s Q1 manufacturing pulse study show a mix of optimism and uncertainty. See how the industry is shaping up to take on 2025.
Learn More

Cara Walton

Education

Metal fabricators should prepare for economic uncertainty (opens in new tab)

MON AM News: UW research paving way for ‘scalable and practical’ quantum computing; State farmland values hold firm in 2025, report shows (opens in new tab)

Wipfli Survey: Efficiency Gains Fail to Boost Profits (opens in new tab)

Tariff update for manufacturers: What’s the state of tariffs in mid-2026?

Manufacturing outlook: The challenges in the current economic environment

We asked 456 manufacturers about the state of the industry. Here’s what they said.

How manufacturers can pursue IEEPA tariff refunds

Section 301 tariff hearings conclude in Washington, D.C

Auto industry trends: What can you learn from OEMs’ Q4 2025 earnings reports?

Trump administration acts to impose additional tariffs under Section 232 and Section 301 in response to the IEEPA court ruling

Section 122 tariffs: 10% now, 15% may be next

Associations are sitting on a data gold mine. Are leaders making the most of it?

Q1 2026 manufacturing trends: Mood is up but so is the cost of doing business

IEEPA tariff refunds: The recent CIT ruling and Section 122 updates

Supreme Court IEEPA ruling: President can’t impose tariffs under IEEPA

New federal funding opportunities open up for manufacturers

The state of manufacturing: Trends, tariffs and trade realities

Navigating tariffs, inflation and high rates: How executives are making decisions without certainty

Global trade in 2026: An update on tariffs and key policy shifts

What manufacturers need to know as the USMCA renewal review commences

Manufacturers tariffs update: What’s ahead for U.S. manufacturing

6 manufacturing trends to watch as you near the end of 2025

Uncertainty in the industry: Looking at the results of Wipfli’s Q1 manufacturing pulse study