Automate Smart

Maybe it’s the experience of COVID or increasing awareness that the shortage of employees is something that’s never going to go away, but I have noticed that “automation” is no longer an insidious word. It wasn’t long ago that any public mention of improving productivity through the use of machines would prompt some judgment that “The Man” was just looking for ways to put people out of work.

Nothing could be farther from the truth, as all manufacturers have long known.

It’s true that automation might replace some repetitive manual jobs, but most frequently it leads to better skilled employment opportunities (someone has to operate those complex machines), and better pay.

The question we hear with greater frequency these days, is how do we deploy automation in a way that best suits our company and our customers? I’m glad you asked. You’re invited to join us at 9:30 a.m. on March 10 for a virtual manufacturing workshop, Automate with Purpose: Strategies for a Productive Workforce (visit website), with one of our top continuous improvement experts, Greg Langfield.

A business growth consultant, Greg Langfield is one of our most popular presenters. He uses his depth of experience working in manufacturing and engineering positions and ongoing work with small manufacturing companies to help him maintain relevance to his customers. His expertise ranges from enterprise-wide lean transformations to targeted improvements including various lean workshops and lean certifications. Learn more about Greg.

Before joining Enterprise Minnesota in 2012, Greg worked as an engineering manager for Covidien, as a project engineer for Automation Services Inc. and Doboy Packaging Machinery, and also as a design engineering manager for Laser Machining Inc.

Greg knows that incorporating automation is part of the ongoing strategy to address labor shortages. Yet what may seem like a straightforward solution is fraught with challenges and pitfalls. Greg uses this workshop to discuss how a systematic automation approach will support long term productivity improvements, and be done the right way.

Workshop takeaways include:

• How to optimize people and production to meet goals despite labor shortages
• Understanding the automation horizon
• Connections between automation and continuous improvement thinking

This Zoom event is exclusively for manufacturers and is free of charge.

Registration is required, click here to visit the event page and sign up.

Events Calendar

March 10 – Automate with Purpose – virtual
Automation is often seen as a way to alleviate a shortage of workers, but is often fraught with challenges and pitfalls. Greg Langfield will show you how to take a systematic approach that will save cost and support your long term productivity goals. Online via Zoom.  Learn more and register

March 22 – State of Manufacturing regional event: Becker
Join us in Becker as we bring the State of Manufacturing on the road. Great networking opportunity for manufacturers and industry stakeholders as we discuss the SOM results and what they mean for Central Minnesota. In-person at Pebble Creek Golf Club, Becker  Learn more and register

March 30 – State of Manufacturing regional event: Duluth
Join us in Duluth as we bring the State of Manufacturing on the road. Great networking opportunity for manufacturers and industry stakeholders as we discuss the SOM results and what they mean for Northeast Minnesota. In-person at Lake Superior College, Duluth  Learn more and register

April 5 – State of Manufacturing regional event: Thief River Falls
Join us in Thief River Falls as we bring the State of Manufacturing on the road. Great networking opportunity for manufacturers and industry stakeholders as we discuss the SOM results and what they mean for Northwest Minnesota. In-person at Northland Community & Technical College, Thief River Falls  Learn more and register

Industry News

CMMA has new executive director
Rachel Lolmasteyaugh has been named the new executive director of the Central Minnesota Manufacturers Association. March 7, St. Cloud Times  Read more

Pentair to acquire Manitowoc Ice in $1.6 billion deal
The Golden Valley-based water treatment company plans to acquire a Wisconsin manufacturer of commercial ice machines. March 3, APnews.com  Read more

Historic Faribault Woolen Mill seeing unprecedented growth
The 157-year-old Minnesota company is investing millions in new equipment, launching new products and reaching unexpected new customers. March 3, Star Tribune  Read more

Minnesota group finds niche with small Wagyu beef plant
Conger, MN-based Fellers Ranch bought out a rancher from Wyoming and began producing their own Wagyu beef for direct sale, where every steak is traceable to the animal. February 28, Mankato Free Press  Read more

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