Automate or Stagnate. Don’t get Left Behind in the Smart Manufacturing Evolution

Automation in manufacturing has evolved from a futuristic concept to a present-day time and cost-saving reality. We're also approaching a world in which repetitive and mundane manufacturing tasks are being automated by software tools, or performed by AI agents. By automating tasks like production processes and inventory tracking, manufacturers can maintain productivity levels despite ongoing workforce challenges.

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So, what does the future of manufacturing look like?

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We’re talking machines that work across shifts, never take a lunch break, and can process data significantly faster than humans. Amid global business uncertainties, many manufacturers are looking to invest in automation tools and AI tech as a way to control labor costs by building digital-human teams that, together, bolster efficiency and product quality. 

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In May, the Wall Street Journal reported that Keen Footwear recently closed its facility in Portland, Oregon, in order to relocate production to a 60,000-square-foot site that’s better equipped to nearly double its domestic output. Why the move? The company credits its growth to increased automation. They’re letting technology and machinery handle the mundane tasks so that employees can focus on creating and executing more detailed work. The decision to double down on their U.S. manufacturing operations could give the footwear company a competitive edge as they leverage the right technology to cut costs while increasing throughput.

According to the Association for Advancing Automation (also known as A3) the use of automation at companies large and small has two advantages; it reduces workforce challenges – like limiting repetitive or dangerous tasks in their day-to-day roles – and it keeps production processes speedy. It can also help solve the ongoing labor shortage.

Not surprisingly, a recent Deloitte Smart Manufacturing Survey reports that a staggering 78% of manufacturers plan to invest in smart manufacturing in the coming year. Nearly half (46%) of those respondents ranked process automation as the first or second investment priority for the next two years.

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While factory automation still snags the most investment dollars at the moment, manufacturers are steadily advancing up the smart manufacturing maturity curve as they explore AI capabilities with proofs of concept and more scaled deployments.

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The manufacturing revolution isn't coming—it's here. Companies that embrace automation and AI integration today will be the ones setting the pace tomorrow, while those clinging to outdated processes risk being left behind. The question isn't whether to automate, but how quickly can you strategically blend human creativity with technological precision to deliver better products, faster timelines, and stronger bottom lines.

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