Automation can seem like the obvious fix for many of the challenges facing Michigan’s small manufacturers — from a shortage of skilledworkers to increasing product quality. With sales of robots, cobots, and other industry 4.0 technologies skyrocketing, many executives are asking themselves: Where do we start? What makes sense for our business? What’s the total cost? The webinar “The Automation Landscape: A real-world approach to automated manufacturing” tackled those questions. More than 200 professionals participated in the March 27 session featuring experts from the Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center-West (MMTC-West), Zeeland-based consulting firmDisher andWest Michigan business publication MiBiz. “Quality and efficiency issues topped the reasons companies consider investing in automation,” says MiBiz Publisher Brian Edwards, citing a recent MiBiz survey of nearly 300 businesses. JoeDyer,TeamLeadforDisher’sManufacturing Tech Service, suggests these strategies for companies considering automation: • Learn the lingo: Know the difference between a robot and a cobot. • Grow and train your team: Continue to recruit the next generation of workers. • Network with people, not just machines: Use conferences, websites, and publications to stay informed and connected. • Ruthlessly find and reduce waste: Focus should be on an activity, not a person. • Improve productivity: Begin with an assessment process. • Invest wisely: Understand the total cost of automation. • Be creative in implementing change: Don’t be afraid to try something new. Before investing in automation equipment, companies need to make sure plant floors are running in ways that promote maximum efficiency. Disher created a productivity assessment program to help manufacturers determine where to make production process improvements in preparation for automation. Theanswer isn’ta blanket implementation of automation. Instead of investing in complex and expensive automation equipment, consider choosing the simplest option for the task at hand, which often proves the most reliable. • Become holistic change agents: Employee empowerment is key.
to others who have added automation into their operations. To help connect manufacturers considering automation, MMTC-West created an automation user group. Facilitated by engineers fromDisher, the group meets monthly to discuss best practices, challenges, pros and cons to certain equipment and other automation- related topics. While automation represents a risk, even a modest investment in the technology can position a small manufacturer to remain competitive for years to come. But it’s not a one-size-fits-all approach. Every company is different and unique, which is why it always pays to do your homework. To learnmore, check out the free 50-minute webinar on the MiBiz website. mibiz.com/automation
Small manufacturers also need to have a clear understanding of the entire cost that incorporating automation will have on their operation. Hidden expenses can include additional maintenance, increased energy, service contracts and downtime in production due to breakdowns. “Manufacturers usually can expect to see returns on their investments in automation in 1 to 2 years,” Dyer said. While costs have fallen over the years, automation still can be a major investment for somemanufacturers. Changes to the U.S. tax code under the Trump administration aim to cushion those expenses. Companies can nowdeduct the entire cost of equipment in a given year, rather than only a portion. Agoodway tosortoutvendors, technologies, and implementation strategies is to talk
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