The manufacturing industry remains a tumultuous and challenging world to operate in. If you were to ask any factory owner what their biggest concerns were, "reducing the cost of doing business" or similar sentiments would probably be at the top of the list.
Reducing manufacturing costs should be one of the top priorities for any business in the sector. The trick is to do so without negatively affecting your products or your workforce. Fortunately, new technologies and techniques allow you to do just that.
Increased Automation
Automation and manufacturing are no strangers, going back to the first industrial robots used in 1961. Augmenting your workforce with machines and computer-based tools remains one of the best ways to have a faster, more efficient business. This includes industry standards like using automated assembly lines as well as more modern tools like robots and industrial panel PCs.
Embracing automation allows machines to handle boring, repetitive tasks while freeing human employees to focus on challenges that require creativity or problem-solving skills, which machines obviously lack.
Stronger Cybersecurity
Recent events continue to emphasize the importance of having a strong cybersecurity posture in manufacturing. A data breach can lead to compromised private information, theft, assembly line shutdowns, and more, all of which can ruinously impact your bottom line. Spending on cybersecurity might seem unnecessary, but it pays for itself every time it prevents a massive halt in your operations.
Better Logistics and Warehouse Management
Whether in business or in our personal lives, we've all made the mistake of buying something that we didn't realize we already had. Overstocking raw materials isn't just expensive in terms of purchasing but also forces you to dedicate more space to storage than you would otherwise need. Having better oversight over your supply chain and what you currently have stocked helps prevent these unnecessary expenses.
In a similar vein, better warehouse management leads to faster turnarounds in terms of locating products and supplies, leading to a faster, more efficient workflow. This can be accomplished by implementing RFID technologies to track packages more accurately throughout a warehouse.
Waste Reduction
Reducing waste isn't just good for the environment (although that certainly helps): it also helps save money during the manufacturing process. More efficient design processes, such as using computer numerical control (CNC) machines and computer-assisted design (CAD) techniques, can help you manufacture the same products as before but with less waste left over afterward.
This category also includes switching to energy-efficient tools, which reduces the amount of electricity your business uses. Even something as simple as updating your building or equipment to the latest ENERGY STAR standards can help save money on the power bill.
Investing in Employees
Virgin CEO Richard Branson once said, "Train your employees well enough so they can leave, treat them well enough so they don't want to." That wisdom still holds true in manufacturing, which requires a well-trained workforce that can effectively use modern tools and equipment. They also need to know how to react to unpredictable circumstances, such as a workplace accident or equipment failure.
However, doing so requires investing time and, yes, money into their training and retention. Failing to do so inevitably leads to them leaving your company, which forces you to go through the hiring process, distracting you from other critical tasks. On top of that, it can take up to twelve months for an employee to reach maximum productivity, a deficit that can be avoided simply by keeping employees onboard for longer.
Take Advantage of Big Data
The advent of technologies like industrial-grade computers and the Internet of Things (IoT) has opened up new avenues of information gathering for manufacturing businesses.
For example, by using IoT sensors to track how long a product takes to get from point A to B to C on an assembly line, you can identify points of delay or inefficiency and work to address them. You can also use this technology to track packages in your warehouse to see how long it takes for something to ship after an order has been placed. Both of these use cases help accelerate workflows and reduce costs in manufacturing.
Consolidate Product Offerings
One of the best ways to reduce your overhead is by reducing the amount of actual work you have to do. Consolidating your products can be a tricky decision, as it requires comparing the profitability of your various offerings and seeing if any of them can be combined into one.
However, consolidation can benefit both you and your customers in the long run. For customers, it removes decision paralysis and one more obstacle between them and a purchase. For businesses, it reduces manufacturing requirements and the number of different tools needed, which helps lower costs.
Rigorous Quality Control
A substandard product inevitably leads to diminished customer confidence, negative word-of-mouth, and often a costly recall or refund. Much like cybersecurity or employee retention, quality control may seem costly upfront but pays for itself in what it prevents from happening.
A strong quality control system and rigorous inspections prevent faulty or substandard products from ever reaching your customers, sparing you from the aforementioned consequences.
Save Money with Cybernet Computers
The ever-competitive world of manufacturing requires constantly exploring new opportunities to reduce costs and save money. By implementing new technologies and techniques, businesses can stay one step ahead while maintaining their profitability.
If you're looking for rugged industrial PCs that can help you reduce your costs, contact the team at Cybernet Manufacturing. Our range of industrial mini PCs and panel PCs is perfect for leveraging new technology in your manufacturing company and is fully compatible with equipment like IoT sensors, CNC machines, and more.
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