FORMING AND FABRICATING AUTOMATION
Automation: Not a “Nice to Have,” It’s a “Must-Have”
T he basic
building blocks of business investment
for success include improving efficiency, capacity and productivity, all keys to remaining competitive and profitable.
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Automation isn’t just about keeping up with industry trends; it’s about securing a competitive edge in an evolving market. With demand surging and skilled labor dwindling, companies that embrace automation will position themselves for long- term success, while those that resist risk being left behind.
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The basic building blocks of busi- ness success include improving ef- ficiency, capacity and productivity, all keys to remaining competitive and profitable. Automation prom - ises to deliver these building blocks to the metal fabrication industry. Once seen only in niche high-vol- ume operations, automation has become a necessity, promising to transform operations, stream- line production and redefine success. The Case for Increased Automation Metal fabricators have different reasons for investing in au- tomation. From an entrepreneur's perspective, they understand
From an investor standpoint, automation is largely a one-time cost, and the return on those assets will benefit the business in the long run. If an investor is considering two companies and both have the same market and financial profile, the investor will lean toward the business with more automation capabilities. The potential in- vestor universe becomes bigger for companies that are fully—or at least partially—automated. Automation also increases the operational leverage of a business, helping, for example, to add another work shift with minimal added hiring. This provides a powerful advantage in today’s labor market.
the benefits and will absorb the costs now in order to see the benefits in 3 to 5 yr. A business owner simply wants to build a stronger business. On the other hand, an owner preparing his business for sale realizes that he must invest in automation to attract strategic or financial buyers, showing that the business already has adjusted to align with the industry shift.
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