Compliance & Regulation

The Top Challenges in Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development

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Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development

In this blog, we preview whitepaper, “The Top Challenges in Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development” — Click HERE to read the entire thing.

The Top Challenges in Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development

From supply chain disruptions to digitization – learn more about what development teams are up against and get expert suggestions for how to overcome them

PART I: The Top Challenges in Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development

Industrial manufacturing has always been a cornerstone of economic growth and development worldwide. Over the last few years (or more), the
industrial manufacturing sector has undergone significant transformation; from the introduction of automation and robotics to advanced analytics.

Today, industrial manufacturers are facing a host of new challenges that are forcing teams to rethink their strategies and adapt to changing market influences and demands.

The need to increase operational efficiency while also cutting expenses is one of the most pressing issues facing industrial manufacturing — a challenge not unique to this industry alone. Manufacturers are under a lot of pressure to optimize their processes, cut lead times, and boost product quality due to intense competition and rising customer expectations. Teams must also figure out how to lower production costs and waste while adhering to strict industry regulations. To be boost innovation and optimize operations, teams need to have not only an in-depth knowledge of the production process, but also access to cutting-edge technologies like the internet of things (IoT), artificial intelligence (AI), product development platforms, and machine learning (ML).

In this whitepaper, we’ll explore some of the challenges industrial manufacturing teams are up against and offer expert insights and strategies on how to work through them.

CHALLENGE #1: Supply Chain Disruptions

The industrial manufacturing sector may continue to endure supply chain disruptions as a result of the ongoing COVID-19 epidemic — primarily due to a lack of workers, raw materials, and component parts. Outside of the pandemic, supply chain interruptions are also being caused by trade conflicts and tariffs.

Supply chain disruptions continue to be a complex challenge for industrial manufacturers, and engineers play a critical role in identifying and mitigating these risks. By developing robust supply chain management strategies and leveraging innovative and modern technologies, engineers can help to reduce the impact of disruptions and ensure a more efficient and reliable manufacturing process.

RELATED: IEC 61508 Overview: The Complete Guide for Functional Safety in Industrial Manufacturing

CHALLENGE #2: Environmental Sustainability

As demand for environmentally friendly and sustainable products rises, firms must adopt more sustainable procedures in their business operations. This can entail cutting back on carbon emissions, switching to renewable energy, and reducing waste and pollution.

Consumers in the manufacturing sector have become more and more demanding of environmental sustainability. As the world’s population shifts to be more environmentally concerned, customers are increasingly seeking out goods that were produced using sustainable methods, such as using renewable energy sources, lowering carbon emissions, and limiting waste and pollution.

While environmental sustainability is of vital import for society (and meeting modern ethics standards), it may also be very advantageous to a business’s bottom line. Manufacturers who place a high priority on sustainability can significantly lessen their energy and resource consumption, improve the reputation of their brands, and boost their market share and consumer loyalty.

Today’s forward-thinking industrial product, systems, and software developers are embracing a variety of environmentally friendly practices and modern technologies to both optimize production and satisfy this growing demand for environmental sustainability.

CHALLENGE #3: Automation and Digitalization

The industrial sector is changing as a result of the growing use of automation and digital technology, but these changes also bring issues. Manufacturers must upskill their staff, invest in new technology, and manage the risks related to cyber-attacks and data security.

In order to maximize productivity, cut costs, improve product quality, and adapt to changing customer demands, businesses across all sectors, including industrial manufacturing, are automating and digitizing more of their processes. By enabling the automation of production processes and the use of data analytics to enhance operations, automation and digitalization technologies are revolutionizing the
manufacturing sector.

Here’s how manufacturers are leveraging new technology:

  • Robotic automation: It is possible to boost productivity, reduce labor expenses, and improve product quality by using robots and other automated technologies to complete tasks that were previously completed by hand.
  • Digital twin technology: Manufacturing processes are simulated and improved using digital models of physical systems in the real world. By spotting and fixing issues before they arise, manufacturers can increase the quality of their goods while lowering costs.
  • Predictive maintenance: In order to predict when repairs are required and prevent unscheduled downtime, predictive maintenance uses data analytics and machine learning algorithms. This increases equipment dependability and lowers maintenance costs.
  • Internet of Things (IoT): The IoT involves the use of sensors and other devices to collect data on processes and equipment. The data can then be used to optimize processes, reduce downtime, and improve product quality.

Automation and digitalization technologies are being adopted in industrial manufacturing for a number of reasons, including efforts to lower costs, increase efficiency, and meet shifting client demands. By lowering the need for human labor and enhancing quality control, this move toward automation can also increase safety.

RELATED: The Complete Guide to ISO/IEC/IEEE 15288:2015 — Systems and Software Engineering and Lifecycle Processes

CHALLENGE #4: Lack of Talent

There is a talent deficit in the industrial manufacturing sector, notably in fields like engineering, computer science, and data analytics. Manufacturers must invest in training and development initiatives to recruit and keep people in order to meet this challenge.

The labor shortage in industrial manufacturing has been an ongoing challenge for many years, and the COVID-19 pandemic only exacerbated it. Several factors play into the labor shortage, including an aging workforce, a lack of skilled workers, and shifting attitudes towards traditional work among younger generations.

To overcome the labor shortage, teams are implementing a range of strategies, including:

  • Investing in automation and robotics: Automation and robotics reduce the need for manual labor. By investing in automation technology, organizations can reduce their reliance on human labor costs and increase productivity.
  • Offering training and upskilling programs for employee attraction and retention: Many organizations are offering programs to their current employees to help them acquire new skills and advance their careers. The cost of replacing an employee is shockingly expensive. In fact, studies show that every time an organization replaces a salaried employee, it costs six to nine months’ salary on average. By investing in their employees, manufacturers can increase employee retention and reduce the need to hire new workers.
  • Implementing flexible working arrangements: Organizations across all industries are moving towards more flexible working arrangements, such as remote work and flexible scheduling, to attract and retain workers who are looking for a better work-life balance.
  • Collaborating with educational institutions: Many industrial manufacturing organizations are partnering with educational institutions to create training programs and apprenticeships that prepare students for careers in manufacturing.
  • Offering competitive incentive and benefits packages: Offering competitive compensation and benefits packages to attract and retain workers might include; higher salaries, flexible working environment, competitive health benefits, retirement plans, and other incentives.
This has been a preview of The Top Challenges in Industrial Manufacturing and Consumer Electronic Development whitepaper. Click HERE to read the entire thing!


Steven Meadows
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