Top 5 Trends in Manufacturing in 2021 and Beyond

Manufacturers of different industries are constantly striving to integrate the latest technological strategies, assess efficiencies, improve their processes, such as the inclusion of anti-fatigue mats, etc. As we pass through 2021, many efforts have been made by industries and businesses to survive and thrive in today's age of Digital Darwinism.

Understandably, the majority of manufacturing industry trends are driven by emerging market needs and innovative technological advances. Nonetheless, as the shadow of the pandemic is going to hover over these manufacturing trends, wider industry trends for 2021 and beyond will be an explicit response to the ongoing challenges of the pandemic.

Read on to learn more about the top five trends in manufacturing industries for 2021 and beyond.

Accelerating Agility & Performance

Agility and performance are two of the top-trending buzzwords in manufacturing industries. If the pandemic has taught us one thing, it is the uncertainty of life. Subsequently, the unpredictability of markets has pushed manufacturing industries to adapt to the fast-paced technological advancement while responding to challenges most quickly. Thus, an acceleration in agility and performance has become mandatory for industries as it allows them to respond to unforeseen challenges with resilience.

Preparing for a Post-Covid Era

While business and manufacturing industries are increasingly struggling with adopting the new norms, they must keep making changes to operate according to the "new normal". Depending on the niche, the manufacturing industries respond to the contemporary unpredictability by navigating re-openings, exploring new business partnerships, scaling operations, integrating SOPs to keep the workforce safe, and comprehending when and how to leverage operations.

Re-assessment of Supply Chain

The pandemic has not only affected the global economy but also disrupted the global supply chain. It shouldn't come off as a shock that in 2021 and beyond, businesses and manufacturing industries will be taking a serious look at supply chains while seeking to add innovative ways and facilities to add reliability and flexibility to retain value. The integration of different software, such as inventory management (data-driven), is integrated to assess and identify certain weak points and previously unknown inefficiencies in the manufacturing industries' supply chains.

Health and Safety of Employees

Believe it or not but "employee safety" is amongst the greatest manufacturing trends in 2021 and beyond, and why shouldn't it be – the pandemic has changed loads of priorities, and human life matters the most.

Employees' health and safety is observed and fostered every day, which is why innovative ways are being integrated for effective monitoring and maintenance of employee health. That said, precautionary protocols will continue to exist for the next few years. With the inclusion of advanced monitoring equipment, the employees' movement, location, and temperature are being monitored.

Boost in Remote & Virtual Processes

Manufacturing is also increasingly turning to Artificial Intelligence (AI), Virtual Reality (VR), Augmented Reality (AR), machine learning, and digital twinning. Innovative technology is helping the manufacturing industries with effective navigating through the Covid-19 challenges due to the integration of remote servicing, monitoring, and the operation of manufacturing equipment.

With the latest computing power and real-time communication system, the manufacturing industries ensure that everyone stays on the same page and keeps up with the latest technological trends. The integration of cloud computing has also become a vital trend for all manufacturing and business sectors around the globe.

Since different organisational units contribute to the effective running of the manufacturing industry, cloud computing and the integration of remote and virtual processes allow everything to run smoothly, with minimum to zero errors. The increased reliance on remote and virtual processes allows 24/7 access, employee safety, and flexibility.

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