2020 was a whirlwind year and the manufacturing industry definitely felt the impact. From forced shutdowns to a significant dip in employment levels, Covid-19 took a toll on the industry. There’s no doubt that manufacturing firms will take a while to recover from the adverse effects of the pandemic.

But it hasn’t been all bad. Manufacturing firms had to fast-track digital transformation to tackle the challenges brought upon by the pandemic to safeguard their workforce, improve operational efficiency and increase supply chain integrity.

The Covid-19 pandemic has ushered in a new era in manufacturing. Industry 4.0 is here – its arrival accelerated by twists and turns that defined the year 2020.

As a result, major systemic changes are underway in manufacturing. Manufacturers must now couple the physical with the digital. The future of manufacturing lies in the collaboration between man and machine.

Here are 6 trends that will impact the manufacturing industry in 2021.

1. Reshoring of Manufacturing

Due to globalization, global supply chains have become increasingly interconnected. So much so, that entire industries ground to a halt when countries went into lockdown.

The pandemic proved just how dependent the world was on a select few manufacturing powerhouses.

Going forward, there’ll be increased efforts to make supply chains more resilient. Countries will invest more in local manufacturing firms and focus on producing a substantial proportion of key products regionally. Companies will also seek to diversify their supply bases and shorten their supply chains to reduce their exposure to disruptions.

2. Embracing Agility as the Key to Industry Resilience

For manufacturers, recovery will be based on how each industry was impacted by the pandemic. Some manufacturers will focus on recalibrating their supply networks as others focus on rebuilding lost revenue streams. But one thing is for sure: all manufacturers must invest in making their operations more agile.

Manufacturers must adopt dynamic risk-and-response management. The industry has been slow to incorporate the latest technologies, including machine learning and artificial intelligence (AI), which can increase industry resilience.

3. Predictive Maintenance to Keep Production on Track

Equipment failures have plagued manufacturers since the dawn of the industry. With the rise of smart machines, downtime should cease to be one of the industry’s major problems.

Digital technologies, such as internal sensors, allow machines to self-inspect and alert workers when maintenance is needed. Predictive analytics increase the probability of catching mechanical failures before they happen, reducing unplanned outages and extending machinery life by years.

4. Human-Centred AI

As mentioned, the future is about merging man and machine. Contrary to popular belief, the rise of technologies, such as (AI), robotics, and automation, is not the end of the human workforce.

A human-centered approach in manufacturing involves the development of AI systems that enhance the capabilities of human workers. AI does the computational heavy lifting while humans focus on emotional and cognitive input. Notably, AI systems lack the human context needed for optimal decision-making.

Human-centred AI leverages the best of both worlds; fusing the analytical power of AI with the creative problem solving of humans.

5. IoT is Still the Big Thing

A trend that will continue from previous years is the increased investment in the Internet of Things (IoT). Investing in IoT and other digital infrastructures enables manufacturers to make better informed strategic decisions using real-time data. IoT was especially useful during the pandemic as it made remote working, servicing, and equipment operation all the more possible.

Considering employee health and safety is an industry imperative, IoT allows companies to rely on smart equipment monitoring and real-time communication for employee safety.

6. Surge in 3D Printing

3D printing technology has been around for years. During the pandemic, 3D printing was used to temporarily alleviate the strain on supply chains particularly in the manufacture of medical equipment – proving to the world what manufacturers already knew: 3D printing makes production faster and cheaper.

Making the New Normal Work

As manufacturers proceed into a post-pandemic future, they need to accelerate best practices around agility and resilience. Now’s the time to capitalize on these industry trends and find the crucial balance between what worked before and what is required to succeed in a business environment muddled with uncertainties.

Industrial Manufacturing Trends of 2021