OEM Workforce and Transformation Technologies

How will manufacturers overcome the millions of unfilled jobs anticipated in coming years while keeping up with fast-growing demand? Thinking back on our time at PACK EXPO International in Chicago this year, addressing workforce challenges and digital transformation were common themes for exhibitors and attendees across the board. The skills and labor gaps facing manufacturers today, along with the emerging technology that must be learned and leveraged, is becoming a perfect storm for nearly all industries. While these challenges can be complex, solutions are clear. With the right technology investments, manufacturers can empower their employees and reach new levels of efficiency.

Augment your workforceProduction interruptions such as unexpected downtime or quality issues can be detrimental to your business. This impact is exponentially increased if not addressed quickly and can have lasting effects on your bottom line. Augmented remote assistance tools can provide 24/7 access to subject matter experts via audio and video correspondence during an unexpected event. This real-time, collaborative approach to support can help get production back up and running or correct quality issues in a timely manner. Not only are augmented remote assistance solutions more efficient when a problem occurs but they are often less costly than bringing a technician on site to complete the fix. Without them, you could find yourself waiting to receive the proper assistance (time you do not have to spare) and paying more for it in the end. When a piece of equipment goes down, it is not the time sifting through paperwork for traditional tutorials/work instructions to correct the issue. With remote support solutions, workers are connected with the right information at the right time so that you can continue to deliver on your commitments.

Augmented/Virtual Reality solutions are also key differentiators for OEMs. Being able to offer step-by-step tutorials to your customers is a big win. When a new process or piece of equipment is being introduced, customers can reduce resources needed for training and take a more self-service approach to educating their workforce. Further benefits of AR/VR solutions can include:

Reduction in mean time to repair
Improved asset utilization
Increased output
Positive impact on OEE

Leave it to the expertsSo what if you have the skilled workers needed but then they make plans to retire or move upwards within your company? Or what if you are opening a new facility and are struggling to hire skilled workers in the area? With Expert Capture, operator and assembly work instructions/trainings come to life with step-by-step directions visualized through wearable or mobile devices. Walking the floor at PACK EXPO International, our collaboration with partners on Expert Capture solutions were shown as an effective way to transfer knowledge and increase time-to-value for your new hires.

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Person in AR headset demonstrating technology. Vuforia Expert Capture. — At Massman Automation, Expert Capture is helping train frontline workers to complete tasks more accurately and reduce training time.

Person in AR headset demonstrating technology on TV with robot behind it at Pack Expo 2022. Vuforia Expert Capture. — To support easier changeovers and maintenance, Aagard is leveraging the technology to assist operators in product setup.

Expert Capture is a powerful productivity tool that can be leveraged by nearly every workforce. It can simplify complex tasks with advanced visualization that can help the user complete the task more accurately and minimize the risk of injury. Many solutions also promote procedural adherence with signoff needed before an operator moves on. Training workers more efficiently and with better consistency helps free up additional resources – something that manufacturers striving to fill labor gaps desperately need.

In addition, with today’s skyrocketing demand, flexibility in operations is key. Dealing with millions of SKUs each day, Expert Capture can assist with easier changeovers by standardizing setup instructions so they can be transferred to and acted upon by workers quickly. This method of documentation is not only more efficient but more accurate as well. Manufacturers need to be exploring Expert Capture as a way to address skills gaps and keep up with growing demand.

Embrace digital engineering

Another hot topic at PACK EXPO this year was digital transformation – specifically, how manufacturers can start their transformation journey. While many may be reluctant to dive right in, there are many solutions that can be introduced and scaled as needed for your operations. For example, emulation technology can be a small step that has big reward. With the ability to develop a digital twin of your equipment, you can optimize machine design and performance, often with little to no impact on operations. Emulation solutions can also differentiate you from the competition by offering your customers an accurate simulation on how implementing a certain machinery or process change will benefit their operations. Another great benefit of the solution is when it is used as knowledge-share between OEMs and End Users which can foster stronger relationships and increase time-to-value.

It is no surprise that manufacturers are facing complex and diverse challenges, while expected to meet or exceed stringent demands. As many of these challenges not expected to ease up in the coming years, OEMs need to look for the right technology and the right partners to help them succeed. Learn more.

Published December 14, 2022

Steve Mulder

Americas OEM Manager, Rockwell Automation

Steve is the America’s OEM Manager for Rockwell. With more than 20 years of experience as an OEM in the packaging machinery industry Steve has an extensive background in engineering, operations, sales and marketing, and company leadership. He leads a team of OEM Managers overseeing strategy.

OEM Workforce Solutions and Transformational Tech

Embrace digital engineering