Navigating the Challenges of Smart Manufacturing for Suppliers

As we enter 2025, smart manufacturing will continue to transform the way businesses operate. While the technology brings immense potential, it also presents significant challenges, especially for smaller suppliers. These challenges include defining what smart manufacturing means for their operations, determining which processes to apply it to, and finding the right workforce to manage new technologies. Small manufacturers must also anticipate the infrastructure needs for integrating these innovations, from energy requirements to workforce training.

Despite these hurdles, successful implementation of smart manufacturing can yield better efficiency, improved product quality, and enhanced sustainability across the supply chain. Companies can overcome the challenges by working together to establish clear industry standards, develop their workforce, and ensure data integrity throughout the manufacturing process.

Key Areas for Manufacturers to Focus on

1. Universal Industry Standards for Material Testing

One of the first steps in successfully adopting smart manufacturing is ensuring the reliability of material testing. With the complex nature of modern materials, from metals to composites, establishing universal testing standards will help manufacturers make more informed decisions in their designs and production processes. Inconsistent or poorly executed testing can lead to unreliable simulations and improper tooling, both of which can compromise production quality and efficiency.

For smaller manufacturers, keeping up with varying national standards can be costly and time-consuming. To ensure the accuracy and reliability of test results, manufacturers should focus on providing thorough training for testing operators and maintaining well-calibrated equipment. Adopting universal standards for testing can help reduce confusion and increase the reliability of material properties across the industry.

2. Workforce Development and Skills Training

The rapid advancement of automation, new materials, and testing technologies means that workforce development is more important than ever. Fabricating professionals need to stay ahead of the curve by acquiring knowledge about the evolving properties of materials and the technologies used to process them. Companies should invest in training their workers to troubleshoot problems, understand new processes, and adapt to the demands of smart manufacturing.

While smart manufacturing will likely reduce the need for low-skilled labor, it will create a demand for highly skilled workers who can manage complex systems, maintain new technologies, and support the integration of data-driven decisions into the production process. Developing a strong workforce ensures that companies can continue to innovate and operate efficiently in the face of technological disruption.

3. Controls to Ensure Data Integrity and Technological Accuracy

As manufacturers adopt new technologies like artificial intelligence and data analytics, ensuring the integrity of the data that drives decision-making becomes crucial. While some companies may rely on highly skilled data analysts, it’s essential to recognize that smart manufacturing isn’t a substitute for human judgment. Technology alone can’t guarantee success without human oversight to enforce company values and verify the outcomes of automated processes.

Manufacturers must train employees to manage the accuracy of data, ensure system integrity, and maintain the monitoring devices that control everything from production to energy consumption. By doing so, they can prevent errors, mitigate risks, and protect the company’s values and operational goals.