Automation isn’t about cutting jobs. It’s making things better.
September 24, 2019
Why do we do what we do?
It’s a big question, and one that everyone grapples with at some point in their lives. Your answer says a lot about who you are, and is fundamental to going forward with a clear sense of purpose.
Oftentimes, the simplest answers are the most powerful.
At JAE Automation, we Make Things: Better.
It’s a straightforward idea, but one that has resonated with our entire team. It’s the why behind what we do each day, and it’s the reason we place so much emphasis on building relationships with our clients and providing value to manufacturing companies who need to grow their business through technology.
In everything that we do, we ask ourselves, “Have we made things better today?” If the answer is yes, then we know that we’ve succeeded in improving the lives of the people around us.
A Changing Environment for Manufacturers
The manufacturing industry is in the midst of a dramatic shift. Traditionally slow to embrace new technology, companies across all sectors are starting to implement new approaches that are changing the way products are designed, produced, and delivered to customers. A recent survey by PWC found that 90 percent of manufacturers agree that digitization and technology offer more benefits than risk.
Still, Deloitte found that only 22 percent of manufacturers feel they have a strong understanding of how automation technologies will change the way in which they deliver their goods, and only 14 percent of executives feel confident that their organizations are ready to harness the opportunities technology provides. These statistics highlight the challenges companies face when choosing the right equipment and identifying where it can have the biggest impact.
Getting it right is critical, and the stakes are high for companies who fall behind. One estimate suggests that at least 30 percent of Canadian manufacturers risk going out of business because of their failure to adopt advanced technologies. The companies who are responsive and able to adapt will become the leaders of the future, while the companies who fail to do so risk negative consequences that will be difficult to recover from.
Looking Beyond Technology to Quality of Life
The same Deloitte report found that improving operations and processes was the focus for 73 percent of manufacturers who are implementing new technology.
That said, technology only tells a part of the story. Sure, it’s the piece that is eventually implemented and installed at the facility, and it’s the most visible for companies who are deciding what to do next. But on its own, new technology is not going to provide the results you expect.
At its core, technology is just a tool to help make things better.
When we look at a project, we look at the big picture to understand how everything works together. We see how technology, processes, and people interact throughout the production environment, and we identify where new approaches can have the biggest impact.
This means finding ways to improve efficiency by reducing the number of steps in a process or reducing the need for manual intervention that slows down operations.
It means reducing waste materials by designing processes that reintroduce scrap back into the manufacturing process, or building equipment that minimizes waste in the first place.
It means mitigating downtime and maintenance requirements so that production can continue on budget and on schedule.
And it means improving safety for operators by reducing repetitive motion, improving workplace design, and removing dangerous activities from the manufacturing process.
In short, it means improving quality of life. For business owners, production managers, operators, and your customers.
The Right Approach to Automation Technology
The equipment and technology deployed in the manufacturing process can have a big impact on your results, and companies are embracing new technology as part of their effort to improve their business and modernize their facilities. But as we’ve shown, technology is only one piece of the puzzle. Understanding how technology fits into the process and works alongside people is key to making the right investment and getting the results you need to remain competitive in the future.
At JAE Automation, we work closely with all of our customers to understand their business and identify how they can improve their quality of life using technology. It’s why we get up in the morning excited about what’s to come, and why we go home at night knowing that we made things better.
