The theme of industry of manufacturing is one of constant and consistent improvement. Very few players in this game are continuing to produce the same products in the same manner as they did in their beginning years. To stay competitive in this ultra-competitive field, you must ensure that you’re innovating and evolving your products to keep up with the changing demands of the consumer. But meeting consumer demand is only half the battle – the other half is staying up to speed with industry advancements.
New technology brings a host of changes and challenges that manufacturers must recognize. For example, increasing dependence on automation leads to the need for more skilled workers who understand these advanced systems. Integrated manufacturing systems today require a multitude of highly specialized capabilities. An emphasis on skill gap analysis and proper training can equip your staff with the skills these systems require.
Speaking of training, it can also ensure your employees’ safety in the workplace and reduce the risk of incidents that could otherwise lead to severe injuries and death. Moreover, training may entail equipping your staff with information about various safety measures as well as educating them on necessary gear that would help them stay safe.
Occupational hazards within the manufacturing sector cannot be eliminated. However, through the dissemination of information and necessary supplies like safety gloves (unigloves.co.uk has a whole range of gloves for different work environments), harnesses, heat-resistant boots, metal face shields, etc., your staff would be better prepared and less prone to accidents on the work floor. Of course, it would also require workers to adapt to changes within the work sphere. If not, then organizations may find themselves struggling to stay competitive with the rest of the industry.
There’s more than one kind of tool necessary for success in manufacturing. Here are some concepts and ideas you should have in your toolbox to yield higher productivity. For even more details, check out the infographic below!
- Quality equipment
Buying industrial hardware that would not last longer than a year can heavily affect your business budget. You need sturdy built industrial equipment that can withstand harsh conditions. A double block & bleed valve, for example, which is used in aerospace manufacturing to isolate pipes (pipes are used here to keep fuel and lubricants separate because the mixture of two can do serious damage to the engine of an airplane or helicopter) for maintenance needs to be durable and of top-quality.
This can enable it to be used for years to come and not just for a few months. A drill press could be another great example of why it is important to have quality products. They are used for metalworking. This piece of hardware needs to be extremely enduring to offer large amounts of strain on metal for creating large-scale structures out of it.
- Smarter Equipment
Machining tools that utilize advanced automation such as CNC mills can significantly impact your efficiency. Although they may involve upfront costs, they can more than make up for it through increased productivity.
- Continued Education
As technology becomes more advanced, the need for skilled employees increases. Investing in regular training for your workers can help them keep up with the changes.
- Increased Scrutiny
Improving your workflow begins with a close examination of how your facility works. Value mapping can identify areas where you may have pinch points that can be eliminated.
- Updated Processes
Once you have a clear idea of how your workflow does or does not function as well as it should, the next step is to optimize your production floor. Establishing solid metrics for success is key to better ensuring you’re on the right track.
- Investment in Maintenance
Your equipment won’t deliver expected benefits if you don’t take the time to care for it. If you experience downtime due to neglect, it will set you back considerably and make it more difficult to recover.
- Employee Collaboration
The gears of a machine only work when they’re meshed and turning toward the same goal. Make sure your employees can work together comfortably without issues, and a more productive workplace will result.
- Diligent Organization
Keeping everything in its place is crucial in a manufacturing environment. Wasted time that comes from confusion and duplicated work eats into your profitability.
- Realistic Expectations
Setting the bar too high can generate stress and hurt employee morale. Unrealistic goals also may influence workers to cut corners on quality and safety, which will be costly in the long run.
- Optimized Inventory
Maintaining the proper levels of inventory means you won’t experience shortages or be burdened with too much stock. You may be able to automate your inventory tracking through special software that can alert you to any projected shortages.
- Vendor Relationships
You depend on your vendors to supply you with what you need when you need it. If you focus on building good working relationships with them based on trust and communication, you should yield better results.
- Improved Forecasting
Being able to predict the ebb and flow of supply and demand is essential. Today, it is relatively easy to rely on predictive models generated by software platforms.
- Focused Recruiting
Finding the best people for your operations can make all the difference. Many successful manufacturers concentrate on recruiting from trade schools and technical programs, rather than traditional high schools.