It’s 2023. If Your Factory isn’t Modernized, it’s Time to Make the Move

Manufacturing is one of the most important industries in both the United States and throughout the world.

But, for too many plant owners and managers, the thought of modernizing might be stomach-churning. The cost and the time necessary to bring their factories into the 21st century may be budget-busting and cause losses in production.

However, as demand for more personalized products becomes more popular and there is a focus on overcoming supply chain issues by reshoring factories, it may be time to modernize your factory.

Reluctant to Change

There are a number of reasons why factory owners, operators and managers may be reluctant to change. These include the cost of replacing legacy systems, budget constraints, cybersecurity concerns, a lack of technological expertise and, quite simply, a fear of change.

But, if factories want to compete with manufacturers in this country and beyond, they will need to enter into the modern age. There comes a time when the old way of doing business isn’t working anymore.

Productivity and competitiveness depend on modernizing the workplace and entering into the digital age. Not only will digitization allow companies to more quickly and efficiently deliver goods all across the world, it will be a necessity as manufacturing becomes less about quantity and more about individualized quality.

Modernizing factories allows companies to tap into new business models, including customization and on-demand manufacturing.

Ways to Benefit

So why upgrade?

Considering the labor shortage the country is currently experiencing, offering new and modern workplaces are one of the only ways to attract younger workers. But there are other benefits that can help manufacturers make the decision to modernize. These include:

1.????? Safety. Modern equipment includes new features that assist workers in operating safer systems. Not only does this reduce injury, it also helps factories stay in compliance with Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) and location fire and safety regulations.

2.????? Factory reliability. Because factories often stay in existence for long time spans, upgrading allows systems to operate more reliably even during times of power outages or when other systems need maintenance.

3.????? Digital enhancements. Upgrading also means integrating modern equipment that can connect to the cloud or to other contemporary equipment. If a factory needs to add new components, having a digital strategy makes it easier to upgrade to newer equipment when older equipment needs to be replaced.

4.????? Cost savings. While the initial outlay may be expensive, not upgrading can be even more pricey. With newer equipment, there is less downtime and it can be easily switched out if it needs to be replaced.

An innovative vision is in Ficosa’s DNA and we are committed to modernizing our factories. Not only do we invest 7.8% of our income into research and development, we also provide world-class labs and testing facilities.

This allows us to develop products with greater added value and helps us optimize and share resources.

Adapting to a modern factory will not only help plant managers provide more agile operations, it will help them attract younger workers and provide them with more choices through advanced technology.