Shaping The Future of Manufacturing
For the past couple of years, the COVID-19 pandemic has forced manufacturers to re-evaluate their operations and make changes to ensure the future success of their business as well as the safety of their employees. In this post, we’ll take a look at some of the ways manufacturing changed in the years during and following the pandemic and how these changes may ultimately shape the future of manufacturing.
Remote Work
One of the most significant changes we’ve seen is the shift to remote work — on a global level. For many manufacturers, the pandemic accelerated the adoption of digital technologies and modern functions that enable remote work, particularly for non-assembly line and non-production workers. These technologies include cloud-based applications and collaboration tools that allow manufacturers to connect and communicate with their employees and customers from anywhere in the world.
Automation
Similar to remote operations, another major change we’ve seen is an increased focus on automation. For years, manufacturers have searched for ways to reduce their reliance on human labor and increase overall efficiency by automating tasks that can be done by machines. During COVID-19, these efforts were fast tracked. In many cases, this led to the creation of new types of jobs that were centered around designing and operating these automated systems. These jobs continue to grow in popularity and favor with manufacturing companies.
Sustainability
Lastly, the manufacturing industry has experienced a shift toward more sustainable manufacturing practices. The pandemic highlighted the importance of having a resilient supply chain, which has led many manufacturers to rethink their sourcing strategies. In particular, there’s been an increased focus on sourcing parts from local suppliers in order to reduce potential risks associated with relying on international suppliers. At the very least, it’s made businesses consider multiple sources. The most successful companies diversify their providers instead of relying on a singular source that may not be able to handle the request, whether due to supply chain issues or something else.
In Closing
Overall, the pandemic has forced manufacturers to re-evaluate their operations and make necessary changes to ensure successful businesses. We’ve looked at some of the ways manufacturing has changed since COVID-19 and how these unique changes may end up shaping the future of manufacturing. By adopting new technologies, focusing on automation, and sourcing parts from multiple suppliers, manufacturers can create a more resilient business model that is better prepared for future challenges.
