Many of today’s manufacturing trends are in line with the industry’s goals to improve processes, create more efficiency, and meet consumer demand.

The manufacturing industry has seen challenges, from changes in the way people work to the rapid growth in demand, with many of these challenges accelerated by the recent covid-19 pandemic.

So, what evolutions and challenges are the manufacturing industry currently facing? Let’s dive into the latest manufacturing trends.

WHAT ARE THE LATEST TRENDS IN MANUFACTURING?

• DIFFICULTY FINDING LABOR
• DIVERSIFYING WORKFORCE
• TECHNOLOGY IS TAKING OVER
• INCREASING CYBERSECURITY
• CARBON NEUTRALITY
• BUILDING RESILIENT SUPPLY CHAINS

DIFFICULTY FINDING LABOR

Manufacturers are still struggling to find labor, with a recent Deloitte survey estimating that the manufacturing sector will be short 2.1 million skilled workers by 2030. It’s difficult for manufacturers to fill open positions, with respondents claiming it is 36 percent more difficult to recruit than in 2018.

To combat the shortage, manufacturers are looking for ways to recruit and retain skilled talent, by raising wages and reskilling current talent to meet company needs. According to the Manufacturing Institute, young employees are attracted to companies that look to train and invest in them. 70 percent of manufacturing workers under 25 said they will stick with an employer because of these opportunities to grow.

Additionally, technology is advancing and should help manufacturers combat their labor challenges. With tools like artificial intelligence (AI) and the Internet of Things (IoT) becoming more accessible, companies should be able to become more efficient and able to produce more with fewer people.

DIVERSIFYING WORKFORCE

Diversifying the workforce is one of the growing manufacturing trends because the industry has held a reputation for being a male-dominated industry. According to a study by the Manufacturing Institute, less than 30 percent of manufacturing workers are women. So, in 2021, the Building Economic Strength Through Manufacturing Act was passed. This bill seeks to double the number of women-owned and minority-owned manufacturers.

According to Glassdoor, when applying for jobs, 76 percent of applicants look for company diversity. Diversifying the workforce is a trend that goes in hand with employee recruiting. It creates opportunities for new talent and can help make operations more resilient.

TECHNOLOGY IS CHANGING THE INDUSTRY

Technology changing the industry has been and will be a manufacturing trend for some time. Technology is improving, becoming more accessible, and showing its benefits, so many manufacturers are investing in it more. Manufacturers need technology to keep up with the challenges of increased demand while facing a labor shortage.

Some technology tools companies are using include AI, automation, sensors, IoT, robotics, predictive maintenance, and remote monitoring. These tools help manufacturers with the manual and repetitive tasks that they struggle to find the labor for. In addition, companies are evaluating their operations to make the best use of technology and people.

Frontline workers will likely expand their roles to take on new responsibilities. As technology automates processes, workers will need to use more communication, collaboration, and analytical skills. Technology will also offer more flexibility and safety for frontline workers, further helping with employee recruiting and retention.

Some manufacturers are even pushing the limit and testing our “dark factories”. These are fully automated factories without any human workers on site.

Industry 4.0 is what many refer to as this trend of technology. It’s a shortened term for what is being called the fourth industrial revolution. Industry 4.0 technologies, such as the above examples, can raise productivity by 40 percent.

INCREASING CYBERSECURITY

As technology use increases and manufacturing processes get more connected and complex, a growing challenge is cybersecurity. In 2021, manufacturing was the industry that suffered the most cyberattacks, according to IBM’s X-Force Threat Intelligence Index. In fact, according to a survey by Omdia, the increasing risk of cyber attacks are one of the main challenges slowing down the implementation of more analytics, automation, and AI in manufacturing.

Because of its increased risk for cyber attacks compared to any other industry, manufacturing companies are investing more in the cybersecurity strategies and monitoring, implementing the use of multi-factor authentication, issuing employee training on cybersecurity, and building recovery plans to be prepared should any attacks take place.

CARBON NEUTRALITY

Combatting climate change is a priority on everyone’s mind and the manufacturing industry is no exception. The manufacturing industry produces almost a quarter of global greenhouse emissions. However, with the government pushing industries towards sustainability, manufacturing companies are rethinking their operations.

One manufacturing trend is carbon neutrality. Carbon neutral is when a company removes the same amount of carbon dioxide it emits into the atmosphere.

Manufacturing companies can become carbon neutral by purchasing carbon offsets. An example of this would be a company sponsoring a solar energy farm or a project for reforestation.

BUILDING SUPPLY CHAIN RESILIENCE

Since the start of the covid-19 pandemic and the supply chain bottlenecks we continue to face, supply chain resilience remains a top manufacturing trend.

Supply chain bottlenecks like the covid-19 pandemic, high container costs and delays, severe weather, protests, and new regulations are a few of the disruptions that have shed light on manufacturers’ fragile supply chains.

Manufacturers continue to look for more resilience to keep up with consumer demand despite these challenges.

Improving communications with supply chain partners, onshoring or reshoring, and investing in supply chain technology are some of the ways manufacturers are making their supply chains more stable.

STAY AHEAD OF MANUFACTURING TRENDS

Whether you know the latest manufacturing trends are or not, having an expert on your side is one easy way to stay ahead. And that’s just what Trinity Logistics aims to be.

Yes, our primary focus is as your logistics partner, but our People-Centric culture means we’re more than that. As a business relationship, we’re invested in your company’s success. We stay knowledgeable on what’s going on in your industry to help keep you updated. And we stand at the ready to offer your business any logistics support and expertise that you need.

Don’t miss your opportunity to gain a business relationship that stays on top of your industry’s trends and is people focused. Let’s get connected.

The manufacturing industry faces several challenges with their logistics. Laws and regulations in the manufacturing industry are always fluctuating. Some companies’ inventory management is not as advanced as it needs to be. An experienced third-party logistics company (3PL) that has strengths in logistics for the manufacturing industry can help you overcome these obstacles.

Leave Logistics to the Experts

Partnering with a 3PL to take care of your supply chain needs can lift weight off your shoulders. There are many moving parts in the manufacturing supply chain and each part is very specific. Choosing to outsource tasks will benefit your company in the long run. With the help of a 3PL, you’ll be able to focus more on getting your product on shelves rather than the logistic components.

Customers tend to get frustrated when the product they want is out of stock. To help with this scarcity problem, a 3PL works diligently to procure your goods quickly. Your products will be cared for like they are our own and will be transported as smoothly as possible.

Delivering freight for the manufacturing industry requires strong communication. A 3PL will keep in contact with you throughout your freight’s journey to its destination and even after its been delivered. They also maintain strong communication with the carrier to ensure your freight is delivered carefully.

Partnering with a 3PL means there is no need for your company to own a warehouse or transport facilities. They can provide warehousing requirements so that your company doesn’t have to invest in your own physical location. When outsourcing your warehousing, it gives you the opportunity to have goods stored closer to your customer, reducing the time and distance it takes to keep them stocked with your products.

Reduce Your Costs

Manufacturers need to stay on track with their expenses in order to be successful. Hiring and training skilled workers is necessary for strong business operations. We want to be an extension of your team so that your skilled workers can do what they do best and we can lend a hand by doing what we do best.

Managing invoices from motor carriers can be daunting. Outsourcing with a 3PL can limit that time commitment. When being billed for your freight shipment, the 3PL provider will receive the invoice first and will audit each invoice before sending it over to your company. This can free up time in your accounting department so that they’re able to focus on core operations.

Outsourcing your warehousing can also help you save money. With a 3PL you’re able to scale how much warehouse space you need depending on your busier months. If it’s a slower season, you can typically negotiate with your 3PL provider to scale back on warehouse usage. At Trinity Logistics, we’ll help you respond quickly to fluctuating environments in your industry such as volume peaks or uneven demand. Communicating with your third-party logistics company about any unutilized space in the warehouse will help you reduce costs.

You can also reduce your transportation spend. 3PLs can secure favorable rates in transportation because of the strong relationships built with their vetted carriers. They can negotiate shipping rates based on your freight’s volume in order to help your company save money, offer you a cheaper mode to use, and eliminate the time you would spend searching for optimal rates.

No one wants to accrue unnecessary expenses in their business. As a company in the manufacturing industry, you should look into a reliable 3PL that can help cut down on additional spending so that you can focus on your core operations and getting your product to the customer.

Improve Quality and Customer Service

3PL’s, like Trinity Logistics, treat your freight like it’s our own. Whatever your company needs, we will offer the flexibility needed to get the job done. We understand there is a sense of urgency when transporting freight in the manufacturing industry. A 3PL with an experienced and expansive carrier network is able to provide the very best service and carrier to move your freight. A vetted carrier that is knowledgeable in your freight will ensure that it arrives to its destination safely.

Trinity Logistics motto is people-centric freight solutions®. This statement holds true when it comes to working with our customers. We build strong relationships with our customers so that we can better understand their freight and ensure timely and effective end-to-end supply chain solutions.

Eliminate Manual Services

Do you feel like you’re lacking with technological support in your manufacturing company? Manual data entry takes time away from core business processes and some manufacturing companies may not have the advanced technology needed in their supply chain. With Trinity, you can manage your entire supply chain with the use of our Transportation Management System (TMS). With this innovative technology, the mundane work of tracking, reporting, and invoices will become a thing of the past.

Utilizing a TMS allows you to customize tracking notifications on all freight you ship with us. While you can trust us with your shipments, this tracking system gives you piece of mind that your freight is being transported properly. Our TMS will notify you where your freight is in its journey and when it’s expected to arrive, as well as send a confirmation when its delivered.

Reporting requires a lot of visibility and time. With a TMS, you won’t have to worry anymore. Information like freight analysis, lane analysis, freight spend, expectation management, and carrier performance will all be provided to you. Take the guesswork out of your logistics and finally tap into some tangible data so your company can drive business forward.

Partnering with a 3PL, like Trinity Logistics can help you build relationships with experts in your industry, reduce logistics costs, improve customer service, and eliminate manual services. Outsourcing on these specific tasks throughout your supply chain can help your manufacturing business increase productivity and focus on what matters most; your core business processes.

Interested in how Trinity can help in your manufacturing supply chain?