Recently, the manufacturing industry has been buzzing with news of innovative new technologies that have the potential to revolutionize operations. From robotic automated systems to 3-D printers, these devices promise to boost employee productivity and increase output. Though it may seem counterintuitive, an increase in production is likely to hurt hiring in manufacturing companies.
In the past several years, a significant push has been underway to bring manufacturing back to the United States. Several large companies, including Apple and Walmart, have pledged to ramp up their domestic manufacturing operations. President Obama has gotten behind the effort with the creation of several manufacturing innovation centers around the country; one of the centers' main objectives is to develop new technologies to help boost employee productivity and make domestic factories more lucrative. With higher output, US-based companies will be better able to compete with global manufacturers that use cheap labor.
Around the country, researchers, engineers, and manufacturers are working together to develop innovative new manufacturing technology products to help increase employee productivity. One development that has gotten a great deal of attention is 3-D printing. With a 3-D printer, a single person can input a prototype design, produce a product, analyze the design, and adjust the model immediately. Without the printer, a company would need to use more employees and more time to complete the same process. Though 3-D printing reduces the product cycle time and increases employee productivity, it also requires fewer people.
The same is true for other technologies. According to the Wall Street Journal, researchers are looking into sensors as a means of process control. The sensors would track each stage of a product's lifecycle and send an alarm message to managers any time something goes wrong—often, before any time or materials are wasted. When a company installs new sensors, managers will be required to terminate or reassign the ground-level employees who were once responsible for process control. As factories install advanced technology, they will need fewer people to fill manufacturing jobs.
For manufacturers, the benefits of technology are obvious. Advanced systems can help businesses increase employee productivity, cut back on labor costs, shorten response time, and boost output. Job seekers, however, are likely to see fewer manufacturing jobs. What's more, the jobs that are available will involve complex systems, which means that candidates will need to meet higher educational or certification requirements. According to "US News & World Report," the factories of the future will require more people with degrees in computer science and materials engineering.
The widespread interest in new manufacturing technology indicates that the industry is shifting. As companies look for ways to increase employee productivity, manufacturing professionals must adjust and adapt their skills to meet the requirements of new technological developments.
(Photo courtesy of freedigitalphotos.net)
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