Benefits of Automation: What’s In It for You?

Companies in the U.S. are manufacturing more than ever. Automation is becoming more accessible nationwide and has accelerated since the beginning of the pandemic. Increases in automation raise the competitiveness of the manufacturing industry. If that isn’t reason enough to consider automation for your company, we’ve broken down the key benefits of automation for your further understanding. 

Not Your Dad’s Automation

Automation isn’t a brand new concept to the manufacturing industry but what is new are the reasons to automate. In the past, the main reasons to turn to automation were:

• Cost reduction
• Increase in volume
• Technology innovation, and 
• Increasing quality. 

Now the reasons to automate have altered a bit and align more with parts availability, supply chain, the amount of time to get products on the market and flexibility. Additional reasons due to COVID-19 now include space considerations like social distancing, supply chain restraints and re-shoring/near-shoring.

Is Automation Right For Your Business?

Even if you are an experienced automation user, there is always room to grow and improve. Companies that are experienced automation should consider asking themselves:

• How can we reduce costs further with automation?
• How can we reduce throughput?
• What is the latest in automation technology?
• How do we get to the next level?

These are all considerations you may want to take into account when thinking about expanding your business or volume. 

If you are new to automation or are still considering if it’s right for you, some questions and considerations you may want to mull over are:

• Who will do the work?
• What can or would I automate?
• Quality considerations
• Safety considerations

While you’re thinking over your choices, don’t be shortsighted on manufacturing resources; it could end up slowing your operations. Also be cognizant of product change: The product you’re making today may not be the product you’re making in five years.

Today it is more of a risk not to automate. The main reason a company should not automate is the inability to gain internal support and funding. 

If you decide automation is right for you, align your priorities and do the legwork up front to justify your project. Overall, the main reasons to automate are:

• The need to  stay competitive
• The influx of automation professionals
• The use of smaller parts, which require higher precision and increased production
• The need for social distancing

Tap Into the Benefits of Automation

If you are ready to automate your production, book a virtual meeting with us to assess your automation needs.