Page 7 - MetalForming Magazine October 2022 - FABTECH

Editorial
Brad F. Kuvin
Sun-Splashed Automation Journeys
Four years ago—when FABTECH last made its way to Atlanta, as it does again in 2022— I wrote here that:
• Forty percent of manufacturers plan to invest in automation and Internet of Things (IoT) technology in the next 5 yr.
• More than half—54 percent—are modernizing manufacturing lines for future automation.
• 38 percent of companies are retraining employees for different functions, presumably to work on automation equipment such as robots. They note that a significant hurdle to adopting automation is a lack of trained employees to utilize the equipment.
That data came from a 2018 survey conducted by L.E.K. Consulting, and so I thought I’d see if L.E.K. had issued a more recent manufacturing-trends survey, and indeed it has—this one specifically tracking the automation market. And, being that I’m writing this fresh on the heels of walking the IMTS show aisles, where seemingly every exhibitor touted new automation technology, I dove headfirst into the 2022 L.E.K. manufacturing automation survey to uncover any new trends.
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Among the key tendencies revealed in the survey: Manufacturers continue to strive to take the cost out of production by automating processes that have previously not been automat- ed—using pick-and-place robots, for example, to move parts through downstream operations. Another factor driving investments in automation: the wish to update rather than replace aging machinery by retrofitting with
“I liken automation adoption to the journey that companies take when installing a new ERP platform—select the right partner that understands your business and provides ongoing support and the sun shines.”
sensors to avoid unplanned maintenance. And a third trend: the quest for sustainability, which we know also has become a concern among metal formers. Reads the L.E.K survey: “Companies are increasing automation initiatives to reduce energy usage and reduce
emissions (conveyors that switch off when not in use, for example).”
Is automation the golden ticket that many manufacturers hope for? It can be, but only when
implemented thoughtfully. I liken automation adoption to the journey that companies take when installing a new ERP platform—select the right partner that understands your business and provides ongoing support and the sun shines. Otherwise, you’ll face stormy weather.
During IMTS I met with representatives from ERP provider Epicor, who shared the results of its 2022 Manufacturing Insights Report. The report reveals some of the needs and wants of manufacturers as they evaluate and ultimately work with an ERP partner, and I think that these specific needs and wants are in line with what manufacturers need from their automation partners.
So, keep these priorities (as espoused the Epicor report) in mind as you visit with FABTECH exhibitors, in particular those providing automation technology:
• Look for automation partners that will provide support on the ground and in the trenches, from go-live and beyond.
• Seek automation partners that understand your particular manufacturing processes.
• Ensure that you will receive support not only during implementation, but afterward, including solid and thorough technical documentation.
If you see me at FABTECH and you’re there to evaluate automation technology, please take a minute to share the specifics of your automation journey. It’s the golden ticket, provided that the roadmap is carefully plotted and includes the right partner riding shotgun.
Editorial Director bkuvin@pma.org
4 MetalForming/October 2022
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