Manufacturers are continuously striving to overcome challenges, improve processes and identify efficiencies, and the manufacturing trends that we see in 2024 are all service of these goals. As is typical throughout the industry, manufacturing industry trends are largely driven by technological advances, marketplace needs and the objectives of the business.
As we look ahead to the immediate brangwetan.id future, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic continues to have an effect on manufacturing, meaning that some of these trends will carry over — but there are brand-new challenges and opportunities ahead. From business agility to worker safety and the realities of adapting to what may be a “new normal,” the manufacturing trends that have defined 2024 are, in many ways, a response to the unique challenges of recent years. The ongoing march of technology, connectivity and automation enhancements is poised to continue solving problems and presenting unprecedented opportunities as well.
1. The continued rise of smart factories
Factories and manufacturing facilities are poised to pass the tipping point of smart factory adoption, moving from occasional or sporadic implementation of smart equipment to more full-fledged systems, taking advantage of the full potential of data analytics and communication between machinery and central monitoring tools. Why? For several reasons:
2. Increased focus on sustainability and carbon neutrality
As ESG — environmental, social and governance — issues become more of a concern for manufacturers, the importance of sustainable processes and pursuit of carbon-neutral practices will become more prominent. In addition to sustainability requirements for government, municipal, and institutional contracts, manufacturers can expect to see more ESG requirements from commercial customers as well.
3. Artificial intelligence and virtual processes
Technologies such as digital twins, machine learning, AI (artificial intelligence), AR and VR (augmented reality and virtual reality) are helping manufacturers become more effective and efficient by enabling remote monitoring, servicing and equipment operation — all without the need to be on-site. With communication approaching real-time, and the computing power to make it truly seem like the operator is in the room with the machine, virtual and remote operation is in keeping with other recent manufacturing trends that enable access, flexibility and safety.
4. Data-driven maintenance as a margin enhancer
Sensors, remote monitoring, connected devices and the Internet of Things (IOT) have appeared on lists of digital trends in manufacturing for the past several years and that continues this year. Why? On one hand, sensors continue to become more commonplace, communications are even faster and more reliable, and manufacturers are innovating more effective ways to use data to drive predictive maintenance. More effective, efficient maintenance is crucial given the financial hardship that many facilities faced in the last few years and may continue to face in the near future. Since predictive maintenance can vastly reduce unplanned downtime, creating material cost savings is now more important than ever.
5. Supply chain reassessment
The initial worldwide supply chain disruption of 2020 continued to make waves in the subsequent years, driving home just how precarious the normal status quo has been for nearly every facility and business. Thus, it is unsurprising that in 2024, the supply chain continues to hold a prominent position as an area for continuous monitoring, management, and improvement, with facilities seeking creative ways to add flexibility and reliability while also retaining value. Data is one such means, with data-driven inventory management as an effective way to identify previously unknown supply chain efficiencies. Manufacturers can use data to more quickly adapt to the uncertainties of the supply chain landscape and work to minimize disruptions, which continue to be unpredictable.
