Month: February 2022

With the surge of the COVID-19 omicron variant and the Great Resignation, manufacturing took some unexpected turns in 2021. But many of the manufacturing trends from 2021 will continue to inform manufacturing practices for the coming year, with new issues coming to bear. What trends in manufacturing can we expect for 2022?

1. Manufacturers Will Continue to Deal With Labor Shortages

The labor shortage is nothing new — the National Association of Manufacturers forecast in 2019 that there will be a gap of 2.1 million manufacturing jobs by 2030. In fact, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reported a loss of 219,000 manufacturing jobs just between February 2020 and December 2021. Compounding this shortage is the loss of skills and knowledge that will occur as existing workers retire. Manufacturers can get ahead of this trend by:

Our custom conveying solutions can help manufacturers cope with labor shortages by increasing system uptime and line output.

2. Smart Factory Initiatives Will Take the Lead

An increased move toward smart factories is one of the industrial manufacturing trends we foresee for 2022. The growth of the Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT) will allow manufacturers to take advantage of advancements like artificial intelligence and predictive analytics. Organizations that implement interconnectivity will see unprecedented growth in resilience and efficiency. With the implementation of fifth-generation technology (5G), improvements in visibility, scale and speed will follow. Digital-first manufacturing trends will only increase in the coming year.

3. Manufacturers Will Renew Efforts to Tame Their Supply Chains

Another manufacturing industry trend for 2022 will focus on corporate efforts to control supply chains. The continuing effects of COVID-19, trade wars, high demand and slow delivery times are testing manufacturers’ abilities to develop resilient supply chains. Many will look to reshore operations to better manage supply chain availability, while others will pursue opportunities in countries like Canada and Mexico. Their efforts will be complicated by continuing transportation troubles, including a shortage of freight drivers and congestion at U.S. container ports.

4. Environmental Accountability Will Gain the Forefront

No matter what your beliefs are about climate change, a further emphasis on environmental accountability will be among 2022’s trends in the manufacturing industry. Globally, governments are promising huge strides toward sustainability, and many customers are incorporating environmental responsibility into their expectations for manufacturing suppliers. As a result, developing a carbon-neutral footprint will emerge as a priority for many manufacturers, regardless of size. The growing interest in environmental accountability goes hand-in-hand with increased demands for visibility into social metrics like diversity, inclusion and equity. The manufacturing trends focused on environmental, social and governance (ESG) factors will affect a company’s ability to attract and retain employees and customers.

5. Cybersecurity Will Emerge as A Major Threat

No discussion of current manufacturing trends would be complete without touching on cybersecurity. High-profile cyber attacks on industry and government alike have elevated cybersecurity as a significant concern for manufacturers. Operations of any size can find themselves subject to ransomware and other cybersecurity vulnerabilities. No company is immune from a potential attack. The increased reliance on 5G-connected devices only expands manufacturers’ exposure to cyber threats. The risks are real and can affect the factory floor as well as the back office. Most legacy systems and technologies weren’t built to cope with cyber attacks. Improved security isn’t the only need. Companies also must address their corporate resilience in case of an attack. Are vital data and documentation regularly backed up to provide the redundancy necessary to withstand an assault? Cybersecurity affects every facet of a manufacturer’s operations.

FAQs About Manufacturing Industry Trends in 2022

There’s a wide range of trends facing manufacturers. Read the FAQs below to learn more about manufacturing industry trends for 2022.

What Is the Future of Manufacturing?

Worldwide, the outlook for manufacturing is strong. The global manufacturing market size is expected to increase from $649.8 billion in 2020 to $732.2 billion in 2027.

What Are the Latest Trends in Manufacturing?

Additional manufacturing trends include an acceleration of e-commerce, the expansion of mixed-model assembly and the growth of the connected workforce.

What Manufacturing Sectors Are Growing?

Sectors that expect to see growth include automobile engine and parts manufacturing and aircraft, engine and parts production.

1. Do Keep Hair, Body Parts & Clothing Clear of the Conveyor

Whether it’s long hair, body parts or loose clothing, anything that is not properly restrained can get caught in a conveyor belt, potentially causing serious injuries. One of the key conveyor safety rules you should implement is that anyone working near a conveyor should make sure their hair is tied back and jewelry, like rings, necklaces, watches and bracelets, should be removed. Also, employees working near conveyors should watch their appendages and avoid wearing baggy clothing.

2. Don’t Climb or Stand on the Conveyor at Any Time

Workers should never stand, sit, climb or walk on the conveyor belt. Safety is of the utmost importance, and these actions are extremely dangerous (even if they look fun). Conveyor belts were not designed for people to walk or climb on them. There are many pinch points in any conveyor system that can catch people or clothing, risking serious injuries — even when conveyor pinch point guards have been installed. Besides the risk of injury, people riding on conveyors can cause the belts to un-track, damaging the whole system.

3. Do Keep Personnel Away From the Conveyor Before Starting

Government regulations require conveyor systems to be equipped with a warning signal that can be sounded prior to start-up. That should be just the beginning for companies that are establishing conveyor safety rules out of concern for their workers. Employees should be trained on what the warning signal means and the possible dangers that can occur if it is ignored.

4. Don’t Take Off Conveyor Guards or Move Safety Divides

Employees or contractors can remove guards for maintenance, exposing machinery, chains, gears and moving parts that can be dangerous. To keep workers safe, make sure automated conveyor systems are locked when in service and only return to operating equipment after all conveyor pinch point guards and covers have been successfully reinstalled.

5. Do Know Where the Stop/Start Controls Are and How to Use Them

Any employees who work with conveyor belts should be aware of where to find the emergency stop and start controls for the system. That way, in the event of any emergencies or other problems, employees will be prepared to handle the situation appropriately.

6. Don’t Ignore Issues

Employees who work on automated conveyor systems should know that if there are any issues, they should notify a supervisor immediately. Employees should be trained that if you see something, say something. No matter how minor the issue may seem, it’s always better to be safe than sorry.

7. Do Make Conveyor Belt Safety Training a Priority

If your business involves conveyors, all employees should be well-versed in the safe use of conveyor belts before they start working. In addition, existing employees should receive regular refresher training on conveyor safety rules, and all visitors should be made aware of how to stay safe while they are in your facility.

8. Don’t Mistreat Controls

Only trained employees should use conveyor controls. It’s important that you regularly monitor your conveyor controls to make sure no one has misused, modified or disconnected them. Train your employees to understand that the conveyor belt controls are not to be modified without authorization and they are part of a larger system.