Rather than Industry 4.0 being a future
wherein machines replace humans on
the factory floor, it’s far more likely that
technology and humans will in fact work in
tandem to drive new levels of efficiency,
and even create new employment. This is
backed up by research from Gartner, which
found that AI and automation are expected
to create approximately five million more
jobs than they replace by this year.
EVOLUTION RATHER THAN
REVOLUTION
Another common misconception
surrounding Industry 4.0 is that it will
instantly transform the manufacturing sector
– essentially an “Industrial Revolution”
for the digital age. In reality, the onset
of digitalisation is more likely to be an
iterative process, with a series of minor
improvements being implemented in
specific areas over time, rather than a
“revolution”.
intelligent facilities, which automate tool
orders, storage and even ongoing re-
supply, mean that the right tools for the
job are always available. Through this,
businesses virtually eradicate the prospect
of tools being lost or stolen, significantly
cutting down valuable time spent searching
for or borrowing tools.
HOW WILL INDUSTRY 4.0 BENEFIT
THE MANUFACTURING SECTOR?
Most notably, Industry 4.0 is likely to greatly
reduce the time-to-market for products
through increasing efficiency, shortening
the innovation cycles of complex products
and allowing far larger volumes of data to
be processed. Improved efficiency will also
lower operating costs for manufacturers,
which can then be invested back into the
wider business.
For example, an often-overlooked area
that could be impacted by digitalisation is
tool management and provision – which
currently costs manufacturers greatly
in terms of productivity and worker
satisfaction. The aforementioned potential to work in
partnership with machines is also likely to
create further opportunities for upskilling
staff across the sector. While the need
for staff to either upskill or even “pivot”
to a new role may be a difficult transition
initially, long-term this is likely to increase
manufacturers’ earning potential and overall
job satisfaction.
Smart workstations are already a fixture in
many manufacturing businesses. These Particularly as ongoing uncertainties, such
as Brexit, have contributed to headcount
Whenever the prospect
of Industry 4.0 is raised,
the most common talking
point tends to be the
fear that jobs currently
occupied by humans will
be replaced by machines.
throughout the sector continuing to drop,
it has become ever-more crucial for
manufacturers to embrace innovative new
ways to maximise productivity-per-head,
ensuring that output is not further affected
by talent shortages.
While we’re unlikely to see Industry 4.0
transform the sector immediately, its
influence is growing by the day. Indeed,
it looks increasingly likely that we are
about to see the sector move into an age
wherein the physical and digital worlds are
interlinked as never-before, revolutionising
businesses’ productivity, creativity, and
profitability.
For further information, please visit www.hoffmann-group.com/GB/en/houk/
Issue 43 PECM
79