If there was ever any doubt, the last few years have dramatically reinforced the old adage that change is inevitable—and that some factors are (way) beyond our control. People, societal norms, expectations, technology, processes, and just about every other part of our daily personal and work lives are evolving at an unprecedented pace worldwide, creating scores of new challenges.
But that doesn’t mean you can’t plan for the future. In fact, that’s exactly what you should do: In today’s ever-changing environment, planning—and investing in next-generation solutions—is more critical than ever. The problem? Many of us are too busy playing catch-up, struggling to meet deadlines and putting out fires to look ahead and be proactive.
For manufacturers, the situation is underscored by the results of the 2022 Smart Manufacturing Market Survey conducted by SME and CESMII (the Smart Manufacturing Institute) and released at last month’s Smart Manufacturing Experience (SMX) technology showcase in Pittsburgh. Three-fourths of the more than 250 manufacturing professionals queried recognized smart technology would increase their company’s competitiveness, but only half indicated leadership is willing to invest in such initiatives. Moreover, about one-third of respondents revealed their company has no formal strategy to implement smart manufacturing, while another third are preparing one. The good news is that the final third, who have seized the initiative and become early adopters, already are testing or deploying smart initiatives. Not surprisingly, the latter group tends to consist of large, multi-facility companies, which have the resources and wherewithal to make the necessary upfront investments. Conversely, less than 10 percent of respondents from companies with only a single plant have a dedicated headcount for smart manufacturing, compared with 31 percent across all participants.
Along with a multitude of benefits, digitalization and increased connectivity also create unique challenges. At the top of the list: cybersecurity. Manufacturers are a prime target for hackers and other bad actors, who want to steal information, sabotage operations, or otherwise wreak havoc. In fact, more than 90 percent of survey respondents said cybersecurity is impacting their company, with three in five rating the effect as severe. It’s not just cutting-edge conglomerates; cyberattacks are a growing concern for manufacturers of all sizes and tech levels. Several articles in this issue of ME outline the scope of the issue and how companies can fight back to safeguard their digital operations. Spoiler alert: Collaborating with industry organizations is critical. Read on for more insights on cybersecurity, as well as features on high-mix/low volume manufacturing strategies, workforce development and the latest advances in cutting tool coatings. Enjoy!
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