What Changed in Industrial Automation in the Age of COVID-19?
The whole world experienced a massive shift after COVID-19 struck. The manufacturing sector was no exception.
Before the pandemic, industrial automation was slowly growing into the 4th Industrial Revolution, or Industry 4.0. After the global shutdown, manufacturing and other industries were ushered into a new era of technology dependence.
Industrial automation became the hot topic of 2020. Manufacturers who previously used traditional production methods and survived the pandemic are highly encouraged to adopt automation to stay relevant with global competition.
Learn more about how COVID-19 changed manufacturing and industrial automation, as well as how you can automate your production line, below.
Industrial automation during the COVID-19 pandemic
COVID-19 rocked the world
When coronavirus started making headline news in February 2020 and shut down the world by March, researchers, publications, scientists, and other thought leaders surmised how a global pandemic might affect the manufacturing industry.
The outlook was a mix of positive and negative:
Some looked at the pandemic’s effects on the workplace and saw the perfect opportunity for industrial robots to maintain social distancing mandates and clean workplaces.
Others feared that the drops in profit and productivity at the beginning of the pandemic would forever scar the industry’s ability to bounce back.
There is truth in both of these predictions. Some manufacturing companies sunk because of COVID-19, unable to keep up with the struggles of closures, labor changes, and reduced demand.
However, this is a great moment for automation because it proves just how necessary industrial robots and equipment are to maintain our standards of living. During difficult and uncertain times, industrial automation allowed us to continue production while keeping workers safe.
Uncertainties abound
Even now, a year after the fact, there are still uncertainties around how life will look after COVID-19.
What will the “new normal” look like for the manufacturing sector?
Will industrial automation be handling even more processes than before?
Will employees shift to other labor like management, maintenance, and repair?
Will there be a resulting skills gap that is even larger than what manufacturing was experiencing before the pandemic?
What shifts will occur in IoT and cybersecurity to meet the new disparities and mitigate risks caused by these changes?
The answers to these questions will impact not only companies who want to continue growing during COVID-19, but also future manufacturing workers and the economy.
Hopefully, the insights gained from manufacturing’s weaknesses during the pandemic will provide industry leaders—as well as small manufacturers and their employees —with the opportunity to improve production processes and offer a better workplace and product all around.
Why you should automate during the pandemic
If you are a manufacturer struggling during the pandemic, we understand your concerns. You have survived one of the toughest fallouts in manufacturing since the Great Depression and the 2008 Great Recession. However, studies report that manufacturing has bounced back to pre-COVID levels and continues to look up into the spring.
Now is the time to act: automate your processes and keep up with the global competition. Manufacturers around the world are jumping on the Industry 4.0 bandwagon. If you continue with traditional manufacturing practices, you may find yourself on the outskirts of consumer demand.
Finance automation with us
Cost is always a concern, and NRTC Automation kept that in mind when designing automation solutions for our customers.
For those looking to automate specific production capabilities at an affordable price, robotic work cells offer the competitive advantages of an all-in-one package including:
maximum compatibility between components
increased efficiency
improved safety
Not only do we provide affordable custom work cells by using refurbished industrial robots and equipment, but we also offer financing so manufacturers of any budget can automate their warehouse.
To learn more about our financing options for your specific automation needs, schedule a free consultation with NRTC Automation. We’ll go over the cost, design specifications, engineering, and installation questions you may have about your custom work cell.
DON’T JUST SURVIVE, THRIVE WITH NRTC AUTOMATION
NRTC Automation is dedicated to providing high-value industrial automation and manufacturing equipment solutions to all its customers.
From decommissioning and tear out to industrial robotic training services to custom flexible work cells, NRTC is the key to integrate your workplace. With personalized training and custom-built designs, NRTC Automation is the destination for all your industrial automation and manufacturing equipment services.
Contact NRTC today to meet your production goals during these challenging times.