Several factors are important when seeking to boost productivity in a manufacturing environment. The pace of technology is rapid, and employees need to be upskilled continuously. They need to be meaningfully engaged with the digital workplace. High motivation will result in high staff retention. Capital must be invested in new ‘smart’ equipment and software to remain competitive.
Make Digital Communication Tools Readily Accessible
Since Covid, many employees have realized that working from home is not only possible for many jobs, but it results in higher productivity. Managers are having a hard time convincing them otherwise. Additionally, many employees work on site at a different location from the company’s headquarters. Handheld online devices can help managers to monitor staff who are not at the office. Supplies, job cards, and deliveries can be tracked. The supervisor will instantly know where each of their employees is, based on these electronic devices. Staff members will know that they are being monitored in real time. Thus, they will be more inclined to stay on schedule and carry out their duties efficiently.
Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence (AI) is here to stay. Companies who want to be successful will use every tool at their disposal. This will make them less vulnerable to changes in competitors or the industry. Discover how AI is used in the manufacturing industry.
AI provides the most recent analytics reports, as per real time frames. Employees and managers can thus adjust schedules, send a vehicle in for timely maintenance, arrange short lease equipment, and adapt time frames for completion. Additionally, AI can cope with Big Data, in ways that the best computers are unable to do without this assistance.
Communication Strategies for Mobile Devices
Some employers provide their employees with mobile devices. These usually have a call and data limit imposed and the company pays some or all of the fixed monthly rent and call package. If an employee has a company phone, they are obliged to take work-related calls and respond to requests for information during working hours.
Bosses should not overdo flooding employees with unnecessary mail, or they will lose enthusiasm for taking your calls. Choose the right channel when communicating with employees. You cannot, for example, conduct discipline over a messaging app. This requires a face-to-face formal meeting.
Use the mobile communication network to keep on top of manufacturing issues. Allocated work orders can be available on each mobile and used for tracking parcels etc. Calls from clients should be followed up, returned, and noted digitally. Anyone opening clients’ data should be able to see the full history of their complaints and what actions were taken.
Employees should be encouraged to stay in contact with their counterparts in other divisions, for example, IT technicians if there are system problems. They should also enjoy an open-door policy from management which allows for quick and professional feedback and the ability to manage a problem before it accelerates.
Lock-Up Technology
Lock-Up Technology makes provision for production processes that include changeover systems. The legacy die changeover techniques increased downtime and lost manufacturing hours. This kept production costs higher than they needed to be. Lock-Up Technology was designed to ensure a prompt and smooth changeover. This also means a faster response to consumer demand and more satisfied customers who get their products delivered in time. You can eliminate manual changeovers for good.
Boosting productivity in manufacturing goes hand-in-hand with embracing the new technologies that keep the industry on its toes.