Labor Shortage Solution

Labor shortages are putting pressure on manufacturers everywhere, but what if the solution isn’t finding more people; it’s getting more from the people you already have?

Finding and retaining qualified employees has become one of the biggest challenges facing manufacturers. Manufacturers are being asked to produce more, maintain consistent quality, control costs, and meet delivery schedules, all while working with fewer available employees.

Something has to change. For many manufacturers, that answer is automation.

--- Automation Doesn't Replace Your Workforce, It Strengthens It ---

Hiring more employees may seem like the obvious solution to a labor shortage, but in today's manufacturing environment, finding qualified workers can be difficult. Even when employees are available, companies still face the costs and challenges associated with recruiting, training, turnover, overtime, and absenteeism.

Adding more people isn't always the most efficient way to increase production.

If your employees are spending hours performing the same repetitive task over and over, you're using valuable human resources for work that can often be automated. This allows the employees to focus on operating, monitoring, maintaining, and improving the production line.

--- Do More With the Workforce You Have ---

Consider a packaging line that requires several employees to manually feed, fill, package, and/or handle products.

If those processes can be automated, the same production output may be achievable with less labor.

That doesn't necessarily mean eliminating the entire workforce.

It means reallocating employees to areas where human involvement provides more value.

This is particularly important as manufacturers deal with:

• Employee turnover

• Increasing production demands

• Pressure to increase throughput

• The need for consistent product quality

--- Cost or Investment ---

The cost of an employee isn't limited to their hourly wage. Companies also have to consider overtime, training, recruiting, turnover, benefits, and the productivity lost when positions remain unfilled.

With automation, the investment is known upfront and, with proper maintenance and cleaning, can generate revenue for numerous years.

The question shouldn't simply be:

“How much does automation cost?”

Instead, manufacturers should consider:

“How much is it costing us not to automate?”

--- The Bottom Line ---

If your production line is struggling because you can't find enough employees, adding another job posting may not be the only answer.

Automation can be.

The right packaging automation solution can help your existing workforce accomplish more, reduce dependence on manual labor, and give your business the capacity it needs to grow, even when the labor pool is limited.

At Masipack, we work with manufacturers to develop packaging solutions designed around their specific production needs, from individual automated machines to fully integrated production lines.

The labor shortage may be out of your control. How dependent your production is on finding more labor doesn't have to be.

Ready to explore what automation could do for your production line? 

Contact Masipack to discuss your application and find the right solution for your operation.