Recent data from HowToRobot sheds light on the key motivations driving businesses to embrace automation in 2023, with labor shortages, inflation, and employee well-being emerging as significant factors.
Labor shortages, particularly in the manufacturing sector, stood out as a primary driver for automation decisions. As per HowToRobot’s findings, a staggering 80% of automation projects aimed to alleviate manual tasks, allowing employees to focus on more value-adding activities. This trend underscores the shift towards viewing automation as a means to supplement rather than replace human labor, with businesses prioritizing task optimization rather than workforce reduction.
In regions like North America and Europe, labor shortages persisted due to the lingering effects of the Covid pandemic, further intensifying the need for automation. The inability to expand production capacity with manual labor accentuated the importance of automation in sustaining operations and meeting customer demands.
Productivity enhancement emerged as another compelling motivation for automation, with 70.9% of projects aimed at boosting productivity levels. By reducing labor hours required for production, automation enables businesses to navigate inflationary pressures while fostering economic growth. The correlation between automation and wage growth underscores its significance in driving competitive advantage and financial stability.
Improving product quality and uniformity, as well as enhancing the working environment, were identified as moderate drivers for automation. Businesses sought to mitigate challenges associated with manual operations, such as inconsistent product quality and hazardous work conditions, by leveraging automation solutions. Moreover, automation’s role in promoting employee well-being gained traction, with businesses recognizing its potential to alleviate physically demanding tasks and enhance job satisfaction.
In a landscape marked by rising input costs and environmental concerns, automation emerges as a strategic imperative for businesses seeking to optimize operations, mitigate risks, and foster sustainable growth. By aligning automation initiatives with broader objectives such as productivity enhancement and employee well-being, businesses can position themselves for long-term success in an increasingly competitive marketplace.