Tech & Talent: Winning the Day in Manufacturing  Questions and Notes

1. How are automation, robotics, and IIoT affecting your business/industry?
2. Incredibly expensive for his industry. 
3. CNC machines affect them in terms of competitors doing better. Struggle to get leadership on board.
4. Some companies struggle to upscale the people to be able to utilize the CNC machines.
5. The lack of training.
6. General consensus from one group that they could use more data and automation.
7. What are your competitors doing in these areas?  What have you heard about experiences from other companies?
8. Small companies not affected so much right now. They need to be engaged.
9. To see opportunity and benefit from IIoT
10. Make very unique products. Almost like snowflakes. Not one is alike. Unique to the customer and need. Job shop.
11. Durable Corp has one PLC. Could benefit from learning more about data and metrics
12. 
    
13. Small, older companies need to standardize Tribal Knowledge. Prepare for change.
14. Need to bring people onboard – ownership commitment to the process
15. Aware of data and metrics, could use help clarifying it.
16. Competitors are moving forward. 
17. Lots of people retiring is a serious issue. Leadership struggles to secure larger jobs that their high tech competitors are getting.
18. wire cutting is automated; many are still doing manually
19. some are securing grants to reduce repetitive tasks
20. Have you considered implementing any new technologies to improve your productivity and profitability? What has helped or impeded your moving forward
21. Not knowing what is out there and who can help. 
22. Who can be unbiased and provide information in the best interest of the company.?
23. some companies reference struggle to get staff and leadership on the same page. Severe resistance to change.
24. Recommend employing 6 Sigma as a start.
25. Start with small steps.
26. Reference tech credit can help but they haven’t explored it.
27. HR implements and ATS (applicant tracking system). This would take paper out of hands, but price is an issue. Does anyone know of government support?
28. Have you looked at the ROI of implementing new technologies in your company?
29. Somewhat. Would like to better understand what to look for. Need outside support to figure it out. Maybe hire new. Bettcher has become more efficient.
30. Some folk stress that it’s tough to get big on data with small teams. ROI seems obvious when they bring in newer machines.
31. one group said no, they haven’t really looked at ROI. Average age of employees is 44, so there’s resistance to technology
32. they are shifting priorities. For example, before the pandemic companies didn’t want stocking fees but now they’re willing to pay those because of supply chain charges.
33. In case there was a very manual line. Looking at pulling engineers to create innovation in their plant, for example addressing temperature rises in welding area.
34. Do you have the talent to implement new technology (automation, robotics)?  Or, do you have a plan to develop the talent needed for new technology ( Internally or new hires)?
35. Have some talent, need to train. Small companies don’t have much flexibility.
36. Only 3 people do one specific job, 2 are related. Death in family, both out. Then other took personal day. Now whole line is shut down.
37. Boring jobs still need to be done. Need to help companies/employees understand the value of the job. Potential earnings. Commitment leads to increased earnings and benefits – offer something as an incentive to be there and be productive.
38. Small companies need to be better at connecting the dots with training facilities.
39. Get more manufacturers involved – applicant tracking system
40. See obvious savings by not needing to hire 25 people for basic needs.
41. Are you aware of training available in the area and the resources to support it?
42. Yes, Tech Cred is great. Could use help in determining what to do and when to get started.
43. Fabriweld uses. Others reported they did not.
44. What else would you like to know about automation, robotics, and IIoT? 
45. Companies are not technology averse.
46. Need help in trying new technology
47. Need to identify ROI for investment in talent
48. Need help to assoc degree and beyond
49. Apprenticeship approach can be a solution.
50. Would be great to have $$ for equipment and training when trying out new technology.
51. Public dollars to help companies get started would be beneficial
52. group wonders if community colleges and career centers already. Industry 4.0 is the current standard in Germany. US is not operating at that level.