Combating The Rising Cost of Labor

The last few years have introduced a number of variables, including a low unemployment rate, high consumer demand, high inflation, a skills shortage, an aging workforce, and unusual forecasts stemming from the pandemic economy, that have led to the rising cost of labor. Even with steps being taken to help reduce the issues surrounding this problem, it is not expected to go away any time soon, and many industries are looking for possible solutions.

One solution for manufacturers facing these issues is to consider automation where possible. But don’t just take our word for it. Oxford University researchers have estimated that 47 percent of U.S. jobs could be automated within the next two decades.

Solutions for the Rising Cost of Labor in Manufacturing

Research and Markets published a trend opportunity profile in December 2021 titled “The Future of Humanless Construction: Rising Cost of Labor vs. Falling Price of Robots” that comes at the issue from multiple directions. First, they suggest that increasing investments in robotics and automation will “improve productivity and reduce overreliance on on-site processes.” In addition to reducing possible worksite accidents, they suggest another upside, that “investments in automation and robotics technologies will open up new applications that are not accessible or feasible to humans.”

Filling the gap between the number of qualified, interested workers available and the number needed in an organization may require automation solutions, such as collaborative robots, automated transfer processes, and a well-designed industrial controls solution. As experts in manufacturing automation, the team at Wes-Tech has many ways to assist manufacturers to deal with rising labor costs by using automation to complete repetitive, dangerous, or simple tasks, freeing up your workers to take on the jobs that require a human touch.

A few examples that help to improve productivity and reduce over-reliance on on-site processes include:

• A new focus on Lean manufacturing where integrated cobots and people work together
• Robots paired with vision systems to reduce the dependency on hard tooling and fixturing
• Supervisory cell controllers integrated through FIS systems and MRP systems to manage production, process, and inventory contributing to optimal efficiency and capacity utilization
• AI used to increase equipment flexibility and improve product consumption

When you need a partner who can help you examine your operation for ways to automate to combat the rising cost of labor and worker shortages, we’re here for you. Wes-Tech keeps you at the forefront of productivity and efficiency advancements by implementing best practices across manufacturing automation.

If you will be at IMTS, come visit the Wes-Tech team at booth #N236709 to talk more about how we can help you address the rising cost of labor through automation.