Joe Wykes is the CRO of Vention, a manufacturing automation platform that aims to democratize access to industrial automation for small and medium manufacturers (SMMs). In the United States, 98.6% of manufacturing companies fall under the category of SMMs, making them a crucial component of local economies. Despite their significance, SMMs encounter various challenges such as a shortage of skilled workers, narrow profit margins, lack of automation expertise, and difficulties in scaling efficiently.
Automation emerges as a key solution to assist SMMs in overcoming these obstacles by bridging gaps in labor availability, enhancing productivity and efficiency, and ultimately boosting competitiveness and client retention. Traditionally, SMMs have struggled to adopt modern technologies due to high costs and complex infrastructure associated with traditional automation solutions. However, a new wave of accessible automation solutions tailored to the unique needs of SMMs is revolutionizing the industry.
These innovative systems feature modular drag-and-drop interfaces for easy setup without the need for coding, enabling rapid implementation within days or weeks. By making automation practical and user-friendly, these technologies empower SMMs to achieve transformative improvements in capacity, quality, costs, and customer service, even with limited technical expertise.
For instance, a consumer packaged goods company integrated collaborative robots (cobots) into its packaging line, resulting in a 50% increase in production per shift and improved quality compared to manual labor. Such success stories highlight the tangible benefits of automation for SMMs, including increased production capacity, enhanced quality, cost savings, improved safety, and higher customer satisfaction.
Automation not only addresses operational challenges but also plays a crucial role in talent management for SMMs. By automating repetitive tasks, skilled workers can focus on more complex activities that require human critical thinking, leading to increased productivity and job satisfaction. Moreover, automation contributes to safer work environments, reducing injuries and attracting new talent aligned with sustainability and social responsibility.
By leveraging automation technologies tailored to their needs, SMMs can optimize their existing workforce, attract new talent, and future-proof their operations. Embracing smart automation as a core component of their talent strategy enables SMMs to drive growth and secure the skills needed for long-term success in the evolving manufacturing landscape.
