On the importance of human resources for intelligent manufacturing of sheet metal

On the importance of human resources for intelligent manufacturing of sheet metal

Today, sheet metal smart manufacturing products are widely sought after, and many new technology companies are flocking to the smart manufacturing field. In order to succeed in this fierce competition, manufacturing companies must rethink how they deliver value to their customers.

The companies that will win the competition of the future have leadership teams that advocate bold change and are bold enough to question and re-architect their core business models – why?

Because new technologies and evolving customer needs are changing the manufacturing landscape and the way value is created.

The lines between manufacturing and technology industries are increasingly blurred. The increasing convergence of the two industries is making “dumb” products smart, and robotics and digital technologies are dramatically changing the profitability of manufacturing. Manufacturing companies must think about where they will go in the face of a future industry environment that is very different from today’s.

Customers want customized products that can be purchased in a short period of time. This means manufacturers must find ways to increase customer engagement and reduce time to market. To meet this demand, companies need simpler, more efficient supply chains.

Advanced technology offers endless possibilities for manufacturing, but it also puts intellectual property and product reputation at great risk. Solving this problem will require a sustained global effort to combat cybercrime and coherently craft policies to implement more reliable encryption technologies. Countries must consciously comply with international regulations and respect common interests among nations in international trade.

However, according to our research, manufacturing companies are having a hard time finding the right talent. More than half of industrial machinery and automotive manufacturers report that it is increasingly difficult to find qualified workers with basic manufacturing skills.

Manufacturers must address this talent gap and think long-term to ensure that their companies have the skills and competencies they need to compete in the future. In our survey, 55 percent of automotive manufacturing companies place a high priority on ensuring that the skills of management and employees match the changing needs of the business. There are several key points involved.

Manufacturing companies need to retrain existing employees so that they can remain effective as technologies such as robotics and the Internet of Things change the capabilities required for production.

In addition to this, manufacturing companies should recruit employees with new skills, such as data scientists and computer programmers. Manufacturers must re-examine the value proposition of their employees. Many of the best young tech talent will be attracted to innovative technology companies. Mainstream manufacturing companies must plan an attractive vision of how they will drive innovation in smart manufacturing.

With 57% of manufacturers placing a high priority on developing new products or services that will allow business to expand into new industries, finding talent with experience in the target industry is also critical.