Because there is such a shortage of fork truck drivers for the foreseeable future, automation has become an imperative. The only alternative is to automate bringing loads of finish goods (or sub-assembly) from docks to warehouses and warehouse to docks.
The Imperative to Automate to Relieve Labor Constraints: The Reason to Attend the Automate Show
Rob Britt, | Kivnon
When the Automate Show was co-located as part of ProMat, pre-COVID, it was the "cool and sexy" James Bond gadget part of the show. The Automate Show, in Detroit June 6 - 9, 2022 is the height of pragmatic reality, namely that automation is no longer optional. Because there is such a shortage of fork truck drivers for the foreseeable future, automation has become an imperative. The only alternative is to automate with an AGVs (automated guided vehicles) and AMR (automated mobile robots) bringing loads of finish goods (or sub-assembly) from docks to warehouses and warehouse to docks.
Until now, so many of the automated solution were chock full of unneeded bells and whistles. While IIoT (Industrial Internet of Things) and Industry 4.0 initiatives are useful and helpful, they are not the cause of the 2022 automation imperative to automate.
Lack of labor is the problem
The total cost of a fork truck driver including benefits, training, vacation time averaged $40,000 before COVID. That price tag is up 50% to $60,000. That increase is almost impossible to absorb for manufacturing operations, warehouses, and distribution centers, operating two and three shifts. Operations Managers report the budget can rarely absorb increased wages and human resource managers see significant challenges in replacing fork truck drivers.
Simple magnetic A to B AGV solutions solve the HR challenge and they work three shifts, without breaks, or health insurance. They are readily available and the fastest 2022 automation implementation solution.
More about the Automate Show
Automate is produced by the Association for Advancing Automation (A3) and is the largest solutions-based showcase of automation, robotics, vision, motion control and more in North America. Automate will feature a full spectrum of automation technologies and solutions, from tried-and-true to cutting-edge. Automate will highlight solutions from 500 global vendors with 250,000 square feet of exhibits featuring live demonstrations of products and systems that are solving industry challenges. Attendees have access to over 20,000 decision makers from around the world—spanning 40+ industries and performing every type of application. From small and medium-sized companies to global enterprises, attendees are looking to unlock tomorrow’s possibilities. Seventy percent of them plan to purchase within 12 months of being at the show.
Some great speakers at Automate
Shark Tank fans know him well. Daymond John, Founder/CEO of FUBU and Presidential Ambassador for Global Entrepreneurship, will share his 5 Shark Points: Fundamentals for Success in Business and Life
Daymond has been a phenomenally successful businessperson for over 25 years. Along his entrepreneurial journey, through his many successes as well as failures, he has learned a few things about getting the best out of business and life. He believes the keys to his success include establishing the right mindset and following a few fundamental principles, which he calls his five "S.H.A.R.K. points.”
On Tuesday, June 7, Douglas Stanguini, Executive Director, Vehicle Systems – Global Manufacturing Engineering for General Motors will discuss Smart Manufacturing Excellence as a Competitive Advantage.
General Motors is a global company focused on advancing an all-electric future that is inclusive and accessible to all. At the heart of this strategy is the Ultium battery platform, which will power everything from mass-market to high-performance vehicles. General Motors, its subsidiaries and its joint venture entities sell vehicles under the Chevrolet, Buick, GMC, Cadillac, Baojun and Wuling brands. Stanguini's keynote will discuss how the Global Vehicle Systems Manufacturing Engineering Center is the critical link between compelling design and viable manufacturing solutions that supports GM’s goal of achieving Zero Crashes, Zero Emissions, and Zero Congestion.
Thursday, June 9th, Rachele Focardi, will discuss the Future of Work: The Multigenerational Post-Covid Workplace. She will share data and findings about Generational Diversity, Multigenerational Workforce Effectiveness, and Employer Branding. Focardi insists that acknowledging and addressing generational differences and preferences has never been more important than it is right now – especially in today’s remote/hybrid work environment. Focardi a best-selling author of “Reframing Generational Stereotypes” and leading expert on Multigenerational Workforce Effectiveness will create awareness around the challenges and opportunities in a multigenerational workforce and go beyond the lazy, sweeping stereotypes around the evolution of peer groups and truly analyze the key attributes that set generations apart and bring them together. She will also share fresh research and insights to address some of the most pressing topics related to the future of work through the eyes of our multigenerational colleagues, including how Baby Boomers, Gen X, Millennials and Gen Z have experienced work during the Pandemic; what they think the Future of Work should look like; and what employers can do to support them amongst all this disruption.
Kivnon will highlight robotics automation during the Automate Show at Booth #4152.
About Rob Britt
The content & opinions in this article are the author’s and do not necessarily represent the views of RoboticsTomorrow
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