Blog Predictions for Manufacturing in 2022
With the arrival of Industry 4.0 and the Covid-19 pandemic, the manufacturing industry has been undergoing a lot of changes in 2021. It looks like these changes are set to continue for the next year. Here are 8 industry predictions for manufacturing in 2022.
3D Printing
3D printing is an example of fairly new technology that has had a massive impact on the industry and will continue to do so in 2022. This tech allows for the faster production of more reliable and efficient components with fewer resources, which will, in turn, improve overall manufacturing performance. With so many different types of products that can be produced in this manner, 3D printing is here to stay.
IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things)
The IIoT refers to the extension and use of the internet of things (IoT) in industrial sectors and applications. With a strong focus on machine-to-machine (M2M) communication, big data (which we will discuss) and machine learning, the IIoT enables industries and enterprises to have better efficiency and reliability in their operations.
Due to its adaptability, innovation, and predictive maintenance capabilities, the IIoT saves companies time and money. This is essential in today’s manufacturing climate and therefore will continue to be a top trend in 2022.
Predictive Maintenance
Predicting failures, and avoiding the downtime associated with them, seems to be dominating the industry right now. Minimizing unplanned downtime and extending the life of your machinery will continue to be a trend in the coming years.
Data Mining & Big Data
These are hot topics right now within manufacturing. WIth the interest of IIoT and predictive maintenance, data mining is critical. A perk in IIoT is that with every input and move, everything is registered and can be studied. You can find death times, loopholes and better ways to manage productivity.
Having connected operations leads all this to big data. The ability to collect data from a wide variety of sources in real-time allows businesses to get a clearer picture of exactly what their company is doing, which allows for better forecasting and planning models.
Industry 4.0
This term was coined to describe the current trend towards “smart factories” in manufacturing. It’s shorthand for the fourth industrial revolution. Many of the current industry trends help contribute to making Industry 4.0 possible, and as we see the human workforce work alongside IIoT and the cloud, this trend shows no signs of slowing down.
Onshore Instead of Offshore
Efforts to bring manufacturing back to U.S. shores will remain strong in 2022, especially as supply chain issues continue to snarl global trade. By bringing production closer to home, manufacturers can strengthen their resilience to global shake-ups and capitalize on ‘Made in America’ pride.
This debate has been around for the past 20 years, but the rising fuel costs, global trade shutdowns and new tax incentives were enough to lure a lot of industry back onshore. As far as the typical high labor costs of onshoring, having more AI solutions helps support the decision.
VR and AR in Industry
Industrial manufacturers will continue to use VR (virtual reality) and AR (augmented reality) in their daily operations, especially in field service management, where service technicians can use both to conduct guided repairs remotely in certain countries or for particular products. This keeps employees safer and less at-risk, while also saving the company time and money in the long run. This trend is set to continue for many years, as both of these technologies continue to improve.
Ongoing Labor Shortages
The industry was grappling with a skilled and unskilled labor shortage before the pandemic hit, but now the shortage has turned into a crisis. To fill this gap, manufacturers will need to mine nontraditional sources for talent. Some companies are finding success snapping up talent from other industries, such as the hospitality sector, that were hit hard by the pandemic. Business owners who look further afield to find the right people—and invest in the training to get them up to speed—will have a competitive edge.
At Swift Placement and Consulting, we know manufacturing. As we move into 2022, we will continue to evolve just as our industry does, learning along the way and making the best placements for the industry. Your success equals our success, so let us be another resource that grows will you in 2022.