AUTOMATION & ROBOTICS
LEVELLING THE FIELD BY EMBRACING AUTOMATION
NO BUSINESS IS TOO SMALL FOR AUTOMATION There remain many misconceptions around implementing automation. Guidance Automation’s recent research identified the greatest perceived barriers to be the costs involved / budget constraints (76%), the need to up-skill staff (74%), and the belief that warehouse processes are too changeable (63%). But a further widespread myth is that a business may be ‘too small’ for automation. This is emphatically not the case. As Dr Paul Rivers, Managing Director of Guidance Automation explains, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) shouldn’t be left behind, and instead, can level the playing field by embracing automation with an approach that best suits their business needs.
THE SME MARKET
SMEs are the backbone of Europe’s economy, representing 99% of businesses in the EU and
employing over 100 million people. Specifically in the UK manufacturing sector, there are over 130,000 SMEs who are all leading the way in innovation – with research highlighting that SME manufacturing output grew at the fastest pace on record in the three months to July 2021.
However, both SMEs and larger organisations continue to face the same logistical challenges – from increasing material and labour costs, to a shortage of skilled resources. And particularly for SMEs, it can be more challenging to attract workers – especially while the country faces a large skills gap within manufacturing. Yet, these hurdles can, to an extent, be overcome by beginning to embrace automation – whether it is through a gradual or flexible approach, such as implementing one or two robots or renting autonomous vehicles – allowing SMEs to start to reap the benefits without overhauling existing processes. Additionally, SMEs have the upper hand. With agility
30 JULY/AUGUST 2022 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS
and flexibility on their side, SMEs can capitalise on their ability to pivot quickly and make decisions, such as deploying innovative technologies, without having to go through as many hierarchical levels for sign-off. Therefore, the key question remains – what is stopping them from leveraging the benefits of automation?
EMBRACING AUTOMATION Automation is transforming industries around the globe – yet in the SME market, 57% of manufacturing leaders feel that they aren’t confident with technology, and are falling behind in terms of digital adoption. Despite hesitancy, the use of automation in the warehouse holds great potential for SMEs – including improved labour allocation, enhanced productivity and reduced errors.
With the right technology in the right place, SMEs can automate mundane tasks – releasing the workforce to be upskilled and take on more advanced, value-added jobs and better manage
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