The production of product for use or
sale using labour and machines, tools, chemicals and biological processing or
formulation is known as manufacturing. It also refers to a range of human
activity from handicraft to high tech and is applied to industrial production
where raw materials are converted into finished goods on a large scale. The
finished goods is sold to other manufacturers for the production of other more
complex products like aircraft, household appliances, sports equipment,
furniture or automobiles, etc. These are either sold to wholesalers and they
further sell to the retailers. The retailers further sell them to the final end
users and consumers.
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| Source: Toyota |
Manufacturing process are the steps
taken to convert raw materials into final product. Product designing is the
first step in manufacturing process and specification of materials from which
the product is made. Through the manufacturing process the materials are
modified to the required part.
Every year the manufacturers face new
challenges or issues and concerns in the manufacturing industry. Some of the
top challenges faced by the manufacturers in manufacturing products are:-
1. Regulatory Compliance and
traceability –
Manufacturer
of all sectors faces increasing regulations which aims in ensuring product
safety to managing disposal and reclamation procedures. Consumers may be
benefitted from some of the regulations, and each of the regulation adds an
additional burden to the companies that must comply with the requirements.
Complete
visibility in the global supply chains is ensured by the manufacturers and they
can prove their own deference and that of the suppliers also. Regulations needs
the ability to track where the specific items have been used or to trace
materials from an end item at a customer site back to specific materials used
in the manufacture. Keeping in view the regulations and managing compliance
reporting is a full time activity for multiple people or teams at many
manufacturing companies.
2. To keep Product Relevant –
Product
innovations come as a changing pace and manufacturers struggle to keep up. With
the new concept the companies compete to be first in the market, the temptation
to skip steps on quality materials can be challenging. There should be adequate
time for the companies to ensure that the specific materials like wires and
cables are in line with the operating conditions. A new product needs to develop
a reputation of good quality to drive out poor quality.
The
companies will become more systematic about managing innovation rather than to
leave new product ideas to chance. The preferences in product are changing so
quickly that this delays the introduction of once popular products. For the
success of manufacturing it is essential to implement the procedures to keep a
steady stream of new product ideas and innovations in the pipeline.
3. Aging Workforce/Skills gap –
As
per age, the workers retire and leave their workforce and take along with them
their hard-won skills and experiences with them. The workers who are retiring
are not available to be replaced easily as the new ones do not have the needed
skills for many critical roles.
Manufacturers
will have to work with the schools in their communities to check that the
educational system includes the topics and skills training for the younger
workers to fill these roles. Besides, manufacturers may need to be more
flexible with the aging workforce so as to allow workers to slow down by
working part time rather than to retire suddenly. This will enable the aging
workers to pass on their skill to the next generations of workers.
4. Environmental concerns –
Various
aspects of the manufacturing process is affected by the local and regional
regulations, from the ability to use certain materials, to worker exposure, to
disposal of waste and byproducts. There is a harsh environment for
manufacturing and hence should ensure the safety and health of workers with
proper care and equipment. Disposing of waste products and recycling materials
add costs and complexity to manufacturing and also result in a healthier
environment and protection alike for both workers and customers.
5. To maintain a balance with output –
In
a manufacturing unit it is very essential to keep the equipment functioning.
Preventive maintenance should be taken regularly including worn wires and
cables which help in increasing output and ensuring customer satisfaction with
delivery lead times. Manufacturers are sometimes tempted to postpone preventive
maintenance or replace factory components with lower quality items. The
practice creates unsafe conditions in harsh manufacturing environments if these
lesser components can’t stand up to operating conditions. The operating cost
can be kept low and output high by using components, cables and wires that meet
or exceed manufacturer specifications and to perform preventive maintenance on
recommended schedules thus ensuring worker safety.
6. Healthcare Costs –
The
rising costs of healthcare for workers put a strain on already fragile manufacturing
cost structures.
By meeting these challenges the
manufacturing companies can stay on current legislation and technology and be
responsive to meet the needs of workers and act responsibly in the best
interest of all parties.
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1 comments:
Write commentsGood post. Quality must be included as one of the foremost challenges. Regards
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