Technology is a Hiring Perk for the Metalworking Industry

As we head toward September’s FABTECH 2023 in Chicago, September 11-14, the U.S. economy is expected to continue to softly expand for the remainder of the year, according to responses from the nation’s purchasing and supply executives in the “Spring 2023 ISM Semiannual Economic Forecast.”

In the forecast, the Institute for Supply Management predicted that among the top 10 industries expecting production capacity increases for 2023 were fabricated metal products (2); miscellaneous manufacturing (3); transportation equipment (5); machinery (6); electrical equipment, appliances and components (10). These numbers are nothing but positive for the metalworking industry.

While the overall manufacturing sector makes its comeback from setbacks since 2020, more than 74% of manufacturers cited the inability to attract and retain employees as their top primary challenge, according to the National Association of Manufacturers’ “Outlook Survey, Q2 2023.”

One thing that employers of all types have discovered is that technology is attractive to the new generation of workers, who are digitally fluent and expect to use digital tools on the job. Studies show that the next generation of workers state that technology is a major factor in their career selections. In the metalworking industry, employers are able to attract the labor force’s attention by demonstrating how automation and robotics are the future of metalworking.

The key is putting the innovations to work in your shops. This year’s FABTECH is the industry’s No. 1 place to be to learn the latest as to how these innovations improve productivity by addressing labor shortages, increase production efficiencies, and assist in reaching sustainability goals thanks to energy saving features.

You have questions and FABTECH’s world-class suppliers have answers. At this year’s expo, attendees will find more than 1,500 suppliers, as well as industry experts, focused on addressing the most challenging issues facing fabrication shop owners. Are you ready to jump in and begin your automation and digitalization journey, or to take the next steps in the process?

Much like your peers, you have no doubt conducted deep dives and research as to how a manufacturing automation journey might solve your challenges. Most shops begin the journey by adding automation to one process to realize and understand the full benefits of automation before making more investments. It isn’t an all or nothing journey.

Automation, robotics, and digitalization of processes enable staff members to upskill their skill sets by performing higher value job functions while automated processes and cobots handle the “dull, dirty and dangerous” tasks unattractive to human workers, according to a report released in May by the A3-Association for Advancing Automation.

The addition of automation and robotics in your processes also helps to eliminate errors that result from fatigued staff members conducting repetitive tasks, or from mistakes that can be made when data is entered manually.

Attendees of FABTECH will find the latest and most comprehensive look into automation, robotics, machinery, and digitalization innovations. Come with questions and watch product demonstrations. What’s more, many exhibitors will unveil new or updated machinery, products, and services at this event. There is no better place in North America than Chicago in September where the fabrication industry can build on its knowledge and skills.

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