If you’re an Australian manufacturer then you know better than anyone the kind of pressures you’re faced with. Dealing with the threat of global competitors and suppliers, the economic shape of the world’s power players as well as a barrage of constantly evolving products and technology.

The simple fact of it is that the Australian manufacturers, who are experiencing the most successes, are doing so because of a constant endeavour to punch above their so-called weight. How? With the right robotic technology of course!

What’s become apparent to any seasoned industry pro is how much our market is so uniquely different to that of America or Europe. We are manufacturing significantly smaller quantities, so as to aptly accommodate for our local market and, as a result, we’re running a greater variety of products on production lines, with frequent change-overs and increased robotic automation flexibility, to cope with said change.

So with such major industry disparity, how can we relate to the US or Europe? Well, despite the major variations in how our markets operate. It may be worth sneaking a peak into what makes their markets tick. One thing that greatly stands out is a changing attitude towards adapting and integrating robotic solutions.

But as I’m well aware with any innovation comes animosity. There are some that feel the growth of robots in our industry will damage the opportunity for human job creation.

Concerns such as this were addressed in a recent article, penned by the President of the US based Robotic Industries Association; Jeff Burnstein. In it, Jeff explains how the use of industrial robots can actually help manufacturing companies compete by boosting quality and productivity, something that is definitely relatable to our local industry.

“Its not surprising some workers are afraid of robots capable of working seven days a week, 24 hours a day with great accuracy and reliability, capable of performing many tasks better than people. That fear, so prevalent in the early days of robotics, today is misplaced. What should really give workers pause is when their companies wont use robots and other automated technologies to become stronger global competitors.” says Jeff.

He goes on to discuss how technology and business innovators in the US are recognising that robots in factories have the potential to save and create more jobs than they eliminate. “Robots help companies turn out higher-quality and lower-cost goods to compete with those made in China, Mexico, India, or other low-wage nations. They remove people from dangerous and boring jobs they shouldnt have been doing in the first place, and put them in higher-skilled, higher-paying positions.”

Not convinced? …Well here’s a little food for thought.

The University of Auckland conducted a recent study in relation to the where robotics will ‘sit’ in Australia’s manufacturing future. They found that if current trends continue, it is estimated that the robotics field will in 2020 employ the same number of people as were employed in the IT sector in 2005. So while there may remain an unwavering mind-set that robots may replace the jobs of semi-skilled workers, the same was said for the IT industry which has since created millions of additional jobs in previously unforeseen disciplines.

To find out more about how robotics can help your business, visit www.robotizeconsulting.com.au