We’ve come up with some simple tips designed to help improve your manufacturing efficiency, and which can be easily acted upon immediately. 2017 is a really exciting time for technology, and making even the smallest of changes in these five areas will help to significantly lower operating costs and boost the bottom line, whilst enabling you to stay at the very top of your game. As the manufacturing industry continues to push through the fourth Industrial Revolution, read our top tips to establish what is important to you and what necessary changes need to be made to your manufacturing operations to achieve significant gains of efficiency in 2017.

1. 5 Top Tips to Improve
Manufacturing Efficiency in 2017

2. Introduction
January is a good time to reflect on the progress and achievements made over the previous
year and to plan where you want the business to be in the future months. The increasing
economical and political uncertainty will inevitably create a more risky and competitive global
environment for manufacturers to operate within. But as well as these apparent challenges,
each year brings with it real opportunities to achieve new heights of operational improvement.
Emerging technology was at the forefront of 2016, with the concept of smart factories, big data
and digitisation already making a positive impact. As we enter a new year, even more
manufacturers will recognise that these new technologies are a necessity to their business and
not just an added extra.

3. So, we’ve come up with some simple tips designed to help
improve your manufacturing efficiency, and which can be
easily acted upon immediately. 2017 is a really exciting time
for technology, and making even the smallest of changes in
these five areas will help to significantly lower operating
costs and boost the bottom line, whilst enabling you to stay
at the very top of your game.
As the manufacturing industry continues to push through the
fourth Industrial Revolution, read our top tips to establish
what is important to you and what necessary changes need
to be made to your manufacturing operations to achieve
significant gains of efficiency in 2017.

4. Become a greener1.
manufacturer
and more sustainable
With rising manufacturing energy costs and the need to meet
social responsibility policies, it is key to drill down into the factors
that impact energy efficiency of existing assets and machinery, to
eliminate unnecessary energy costs. Manufacturers have begun
to realise the long-term cost benefits of sustainability, such as the
use of renewable energy. Savings start with monitoring and
recording energy consumption; so identify the activities that
waste energy and put a strategy in place to reduce them.

5. Collaboration between humans
and automation for sustainable
growth and innovation
2.
Automated systems are common place
in many manufacturing facilities, but in
2016 we’ve seen the development of
advanced automation technology. The
largest impact on manufacturing was
collaborative automation, which offer
the unique benefit of an automated
system that is programmed to work
alongside human employees, with new
safety standards in place so that no
threat is posed to employees.

6. The term ‘cobotics’ comes from the collaboration between
humans and automation, and is popular in the U.S
automotive and aerospace industries. As digital technology
systems control more aspects of manufacturing operations,
the relationship between human and automation will
become more significant. Respond to the ever-changing
market conditions by planning an automation strategy
roadmap, which will future proof your operations for years
to come.

7. Embrace new IIoT
technologies to become
smarter
3.
As supply chains become more complex and the need for
manufacturers to operate globally increases, it is important
to embrace the available software technology to meet these
demands. The Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT), which
connects equipment, people, processes and supply chains is
becoming more accessible to all sized manufacturers.
Being at the forefront of Industry 4.0 and taking advantage
of technology will allow manufacturers, big or small to
achieve business outcomes that weren’t possible 10 years
ago, such as improving cost-effectiveness and product
quality.
Plan your Strategy

8. Consider cyber security
as a critical threat
4.
According to research, manufacturing is the second most cyber attacked
industry after Healthcare. Whilst manufacturers continue to adopt IoT
techniques, they are becoming more connected and are dealing with
huge amounts of data from a wide range of sources. This in turn will open
up the door to huge risks and threats to the damage and malpractice of
hardware or software, so it’s imperative to have plans in place to protect
these information systems. Employing reliable, external partners to help
with security is vital, as most manufacturers are not in the position to do
this alone. Cyber security will be a critical concern for manufacturers in
2017, and in order for manufacturers to keep benefiting from digital
systems, while also keeping employees and their business safe, it will
need to be looked at seriously.

9. Adopt predictive analytics
to drive greater efficiency
5.
Big data analytics is a key trend in the emerging
technology market, driven by the need to become
more efficient. Predictive analytics in manufacturing
will be determined by a variety of smart sensors
integrated at every stage of the production process.
The correct data will enable manufacturers to predict
when machines may break down, when inventory needs
replenishing and so on to create a more efficient cost
base, to drive productivity, reduce errors and predict
future events and trends. As manufacturers begin to plan
their big data and IoT implementation strategies, they will
start to take advantage of these intelligent systems.

10. Manufacturing Improvement Solutions
enquiries@cimlogic.co.uk
01274 599955
@Cimlogic Cimlogic Cimlogic
If you’d like to learn more about Industry 4.0 please visit our website,
email enquiries@cimlogic.co.uk or give us a call on +44(0)1274
599955