Top issues affecting modern manufacturing businesses

Manufacturing is an ever-changing business that continually faces new and exciting challenges. However, manufacturing businesses also face issues and concerns that can impact productivity and profitability.

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Staying relevant

A big issue for all manufacturing businesses is how to keep up with the dizzying pace of change and be the first to market with a new product without cutting corners. It’s one thing being the first to market, but if your product is shoddy or doesn’t offer a compelling user experience, you’ll quickly develop a reputation for poor quality. You may have created a brilliant spiral duct, but if it’s poorly machined, your customers won’t buy it.

The challenge is to maintain a pipeline of new ideas and innovative products to create a steady stream of bold and relevant goods, like a new twist on the spiral duct.

Keeping your processes in balance

Keeping equipment functioning and staying up to speed with current regulations are two major challenges for modern manufacturing business. Compliance with safety regulations and a schedule of preventative maintenance will ultimately keep productivity high and lead to lower operating costs without compromising worker safety.

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In the changing regulatory climate, it pays to know your responsibilities as an employer and to offer your customers complete transparency and traceability. In this way, you’ll build trust and offer complete visibility to your global supply chains, whether they’re supplying spiral ducts or ball bearings.

The Millennial skills gap

Baby Boomers are retiring in record numbers, and Millennials now dominate the workplace. Unfortunately, many are unable to offer the skills that the Boomers can, leading to a skills gap in critical roles.

Create a phased retirement system for your ageing workforce so that the transition is as seamless as possible and they have the opportunity to pass on their skills to the next generation.

Creating a healthier environment

Environmental regulations can seem onerous, but they exist for a reason: to protect the health and safety of workers in harsh environments. Disposing of waste according to guidelines, running a business-wide recycling programme, and reusing some waste materials may add to your costs and create a complex manufacturing environment, but you will have the peace of mind that comes from knowing that your workers and customers are protected and that you’re contributing to a healthier environment.