Cara Walton
Director, Wipfli Advisory LLC
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.
Education
University of Louisville
- Bachelor of arts, economics
Recent Insights
Articles
Manufacturing outlook: The challenges in the current economic environment
Jul 14, 2026
We asked 456 manufacturers about the state of the industry. Here’s what they said.
Jul 10, 2026
How manufacturers can pursue IEEPA tariff refunds
Jul 02, 2026
Section 301 tariff hearings conclude in Washington, D.C
May 20, 2026
Auto industry trends: What can you learn from OEMs’ Q4 2025 earnings reports?
Apr 17, 2026
Section 122 tariffs: 10% now, 15% may be next
Apr 07, 2026
Associations are sitting on a data gold mine. Are leaders making the most of it?
Mar 26, 2026
Q1 2026 manufacturing trends: Mood is up but so is the cost of doing business
Mar 10, 2026
IEEPA tariff refunds: The recent CIT ruling and Section 122 updates
Mar 06, 2026
Supreme Court IEEPA ruling: President can’t impose tariffs under IEEPA
Feb 20, 2026
New federal funding opportunities open up for manufacturers
Feb 10, 2026
Navigating tariffs, inflation and high rates: How executives are making decisions without certainty
Jan 27, 2026
Global trade in 2026: An update on tariffs and key policy shifts
Jan 14, 2026
What manufacturers need to know as the USMCA renewal review commences
Nov 24, 2025
Manufacturers tariffs update: What’s ahead for U.S. manufacturing
Oct 27, 2025
6 manufacturing trends to watch as you near the end of 2025
Sep 15, 2025
Uncertainty in the industry: Looking at the results of Wipfli’s Q1 manufacturing pulse study
Apr 24, 2025
Podcasts
Episode 53: Tariffs and business planning in times of uncertainty
Mar 19, 2025
Videos And Webcasts
Mid-2026 tariff update for manufacturers
Jul 31, 2026
The state of manufacturing: Trends, tariffs and trade realities
Feb 09, 2026
In The News
External News
MON AM News: UW research paving way for ‘scalable and practical’ quantum computing; State farmland ...
WisBusiness | Jul 20, 2026
Wipfli Survey: Efficiency Gains Fail to Boost Profits
Plastics Today | Jul 16, 2026
Manufacturing Benchmarking Survey Highlights Cost Pressures and 2026 Growth Outlook
PR Newswire | Jul 15, 2026
Q1 Outlook Improves, as Cost Pressure Continues to Squeeze Metal Formers
Metal Forming Magazine | Jun 17, 2026
Navigating 2026: A Roadmap for Manufacturing Success
ARPM Inside Rubber Issue | Apr 06, 2026
