Everywhere you look, there are signs of doom for Canadian Manufacturing. The unemployment rate and companies moving or going out of business seem to be common themes. However, we have an increase in manufacturing output.
How are manufacturing jobs disappearing and output increasing?
Investment in the business
Take a look around. Businesses that are investing in themselves will have staying power. Those who do not will be left behind, wither and die.
How is your company doing?
People
We often hear that people are the greatest asset of the business. What is the game plan? You get blank faces when asked to see or inquire about how they are advancing their employees. A constant learning environment must be established.
The learning environment includes:
- How individuals interact with and treat one another.
- How information is conveyed
- Internet
- Intranet
- Meetings
- Teams
- Postings
- Knowledge of individual contributions
- Strengths and Weaknesses
- Recognize how individuals learn (Millennials do not get information from an authority figure.)
- Customize learning for individuals
Process
Look at your process from a newborn perspective. Inquire and explore why things have to happen in a certain way. Break every step down.
Kipling wrote:
I keep six honest serving men. They taught me all I knew. Their names are What and Why, When And How, and Where and Who.
Query your people with questions and listen.
- If they had more time, what would they work on?
- What is the biggest challenge?
- What is bugging them?
- Are you happy?
Machine
Keep up on the latest machine innovations for your industry and others. Know the limitations of each machine—table new concepts to your learning environment.
If you are to fix the machine, then ask
- Is this the first time this has happened? Will it happen again?
- How long did it take to troubleshoot the problem?
- Is there something we can improve upon?
- How can this knowledge be shared with operators, maintenance, and management?
Automation
There is a reason that this is last on the list. Automation can stand by itself, but it requires understanding each of the items mentioned above before success.
You must understand your people, process, and machine before automation can be an asset.
Automation, people, process, and machine innovation can happen. It is up to you.
If you have any questions or need further information, please get in touch with me.
Thank you,
Garry
Reference:
Statistics Canada for Manufacturing
https://www150.statcan.gc.ca/n1/en/subjects/Manufacturing
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You have good information here to learn. I’m working as software engineer in a manufacturing plant in Mexico. Here I’m in charge to maintain and upgrade some semi-automated machines that work with Automation-Direct’s PLCs. The HMI are build in Visual Studio Forms (C#, VB.NET and VB6). I’ve learn fast PLC & Comm thanks your material.
Thank you for the comments Ivan.
Regards,
Garry