Manufacturing Challenges on Your Mind?

August 4, 2022 | 3 min read

Sean Murray, VP Customer Success

Manufacturers today need to maintain an always-on mindset in order to navigate the constant changes and challenges occurring within their environments. It’s everything from the ongoing supply chain disruption that has impacted nearly all industries for years to the continuing labor crisis that has affected the manufacturing sector even longer. In addition, other issues have been lurking under the surface with no easy or obvious solution, such as the overwhelming need for more sustainable practices that require reworking and reimagining traditional manufacturing practices. What’s clear to me is that time, resources, and willingness to change are all needed to address the industry’s challenges effectively. 

While progress and growth within manufacturing have indeed been achieved in recent years with the rise of new technologies, there’s still plenty of room for improvement. Manufacturers looking for ways to increase operational resiliency further – to foster new, fruitful workforce opportunities and create more sustainable, efficient processes – need to consider building where they sell.

Keeping Pace With Today’s Fast-Changing Environment

Manufacturers with a market to support reshoring and nearshoring operations are positioned to more efficiently address issues in real-time and prepare for, even prevent, any challenges that lie ahead. What’s more, closer-to-home production checks all the boxes for many of today’s manufacturing goals, including enabling faster time to market, reducing reliance on the strained global supply chain, and creating new careers with clear growth paths.

To achieve long-term success by reshoring or nearshoring, manufacturers need to lean on intelligent automation and innovative factory solutions that enable fast deployment and flexible production: 

Reduce Your Supply Chain Risk: Manufacturers who move production closer to the customer reduce reliance and minimize the risk associated with the global supply chain—plus, they’ll experience various cost-savings elements, such as reduced transportation and warehousing fees. Bright Machines Microfactories combine software, machine learning, computer vision, and robotics deployed up to twice as fast as existing assembly lines to support manufacturers as they set up new facilities closer to their customers.

Adjust to local demand: Manufacturers who adopt intelligent platforms that are inherently flexible and provide real-time insights, such as Bright Machines Microfactories, can more easily reorganize production and position themselves to deliver on local customer orders promptly. For example, if a new product receives a poor response from the market, or when there’s an ask to produce a broader range of products, our full-stack solution can quickly be programmed to accommodate new instructions – all on the same line, all with the same equipment.    

Retain and Attract Talent: Reshoring or nearshoring creates new, fulfilling career opportunities for the workforce, many of whom are no longer willing or interested in the mundane, tedious tasks associated with traditional manufacturing. For example, bright Machines’ Brightware Studio brings additional functionality to microfactories, liberating manufacturers from the constraints of conventional factory automation with self-service capabilities. This reduces reliance on the support of system integrators or other automation vendors to make changes to a line; it also provides new opportunities for the workforce to learn new technologies and systems that can further their skill sets and advance their careers. 

Achieve More Sustainable Production: Large factories located halfway around the world contribute to land and air pollution due to shipping and transportation requirements to get the final product in the hands of the end customer. Manufacturers building smaller, energy-efficient factories closer to home can lower their carbon footprint, reduce emissions, and more easily assess the areas of production that can improve, whether right-sizing the use of materials or reducing waste.

While obstacles within manufacturing are growing in complexity, great strides have been made toward creating a healthier, more robust industry. We’re now in a place where there are various strategies and approaches that manufacturers can embrace today to become more resilient and truly thrive. 

To learn more about our capabilities in building the backbone of AI, visit Bright Machines.