A Focus On Employees Will Save the Future of Manufacturing

As robots, coding and technology continue to change how we live our lives, they also change how we do business. In the industry of manufacturing, robots are completely redefining the landscape. But, rather than taking jobs from humans, they’re making humans work more efficiently. In this episode of “Manufacturing a Stronger Standard,” Derek DeGeest, President of DeGeest Steel Works, explains how his company is investing in its people with technology and seeing it pay off. Many hear the word “automation” and think people are losing their jobs at the hands of a robot. But, DeGeest argued, the opposite is true. Certain laborious tasks in manufacturing are better allocated to a robot, leaving the human to do jobs that a robot cannot, like problem-solving and thinking creatively to produce new ideas. This, in turn, enhances and multiplies an employee’s efforts, DeGeest said. It all comes down to empowering employees, and technology is a key component in taking employee knowledge and elevating it. When human minds come up with new ideas, efficient systems or enhanced manufacturing practices, it empowers them to do great work and think big. DeGeest has found that employees enjoy fitting into the flow of manufacturing in this way as being valued silos of for their knowledge and experience.