The manufacturing sector has seen some important trends in the past decade. Advances in IT are playing a major role in transforming the industry. Here we look at the movements taking place in manufacturing as they relate to what is going on in IT.
Overall Trend For Manufacturing Output and Labour Market
The Bureau of Labor Statistics expects that the 2.5 percent increase in manufacturing output for the past ten years will be offset by a 0.5 percent decline in jobs in the industry over 2021 and 2022. This decreasing trend will continue throughout 2022 and possibly beyond. The impact of Covid has played a role in the rise in output. Other factors that affected the latter and continue to impact the labour market are skills gaps, growth in automation, and a labour shortage.
Retaining Skilled Workers
One of the ways the manufacturing sector can cope with the increasing demand for their products is by making the most of skilled workers. The most important modern skill needed in the manufacturing industry is an aptitude for technology and computerised equipment. Manufacturing has come to rely profoundly on the latest technologies to reduce costs and increase outputs.
Upskilling Employees
Another trend that has become visible in manufacturing is the upskilling of employees to cope with new technological advances. Companies do not want to lose workers with a good work ethic and sound knowledge of the business. These employees are being retrained to enable them to work in the new environment.
*Photo by ThisisEngineering RAEng on Unsplash
A Shift to Mobile Supply Chains
All industries are affected by extravagant energy costs and worldwide shortages of materials. This is especially prevalent in the international arena. Distribution costs between some continents and countries are ten times as high as they were before Covid and the war in Ukraine. This requires excellent communication and the use of mobile platforms that operate in real-time.
Diversified Work Forces
Many groups of potential employees have the IT skills to match manufacturing requirements. For example, women and veterans are being hired as the labour market vies for skilled employees. Diversification is enabling manufacturing companies to hire tech-savvy staff.
Automation
Manufacturing processes have gradually become more automated. While this is not a new trend, it has intensified recently. This requires businesses to staff accordingly, and also automate to remain competitive.
Robotics
It is estimated that robotics for agriculture and food production will be worth 5.44 million pounds come 2032. A part of this trend can be blamed on Covid travel restrictions that have reduced labour availability. Banks are investing heavily in robotics in these manufacturing companies.
IT Solutions
Companies are turning to IT solution providers like Microsoft Gold partner IT managed services from soVision to assist with managing their operations. These services help businesses navigate the changing IT landscape.
Sustainability
Manufacturers are under pressure to reduce their greenhouse emissions. The industry accounts for a third of the global carbon footprint. New IT solutions are driving the change to manufacturing systems that produce less carbon.
The Industrial Internet of Things (IoT)
Manufacturers embed sensors into their machinery. This forewarns management of minor problems. These can then be resolved, using IoT, to prevent critical breakdowns of plant and machinery.
The manufacturing industry has become technology-intensive, and the IT field constantly develops new solutions.
*Header image courtesy of Photo by Lalit Kumar on Unsplash
