Utilising new technology in engineering and manufacturing

This year has been marred with political uncertainty, and as a result, manufacturing has looked to improve its supply chain functions to help handle whatever Brexit may throw our way. Many businesses have begun implementing new ERP systems to help streamline their function and improve efficiency across the board.

New technology across the engineering and manufacturing industry continues to make changes to how people work. The emergence of industry 4.0, or as some call it the fourth industrial revolution, has caused significant changes to the way we manufacture. The computers that were introduced by industry 3.0 connect and communicate with one another to make decisions without human involvement.

In an industry where businesses look to embrace lean and continuous improvement, new technologies such as automation should help us to work smarter, and now a threat to our job security.

International automotive standard in engineering and manufacturing

IATF 16949 was jointly developed by The International Automotive Task Force (IATF) members. It is a common automotive quality system based on ISO9001 and has specific customer requirements for the automotive sector. ITAF is a group of automotive manufacturers and trade associations that was formed to improve the quality of automotive products provided to customers worldwide. 

The International Automotive Task Force have explained the purposes for which the ITAF was established for:

  • To develop a consensus regarding international fundamental quality system requirements, primarily for the participating companies’ direct suppliers of production materials, product or service parts, or finishing services (e.g. heat treating, painting and plating). These requirements will also be available for other interested parties in the automotive industry. 
  • To develop policies and procedures for the common IATF third party registration scheme to ensure consistency worldwide.
  • To provide appropriate training to support IATF 16949 requirements and the IATF registration scheme. 
  • To establish formal liaisons with appropriate bodies to support IATF objectives.
     

With increased pressure across the industry to get to market quicker than the competition, advances in automation allow manufacturers to ensure a high-quality product in the most efficient time scale.

What your business needs to do

ITAF 16949 increases the requirements for manufacturing feasibility assessments for changes. You must establish that they can meet the needs of customers and can reduce the risk of defects and delays.

ITAF puts more emphasis on the customer and requires engineering and manufacturing businesses to focus more on mitigating risks in their processes. Any risk mustn’t be just seen as a negative, but also an opportunity to make continued improvements. 

The benefits of new technologies in the sector

The development of new technologies can go a long way to effectively supporting the success of recruitment into the engineering and manufacturing sector.

Agencies and businesses alike are now emphasising the use of video technology such as Hinterview. It is now widely recognised that the use of a traditional CV does not always give a true representation of a candidate. Around 93% of all communication is not “what is said” but instead consists of tone and body language. As hiring managers, your aim should be to learn more about the person behind the CV, and video technology can help you to be a part of this screening process.

Through using Hinterview, we are now able to let the client see how a candidate will act in an interview situation. This can be used to reduce the hidden costs behind long interview processes and will allow a hiring manager to find the best fit for the job in the shortest period. 

Businesses must look to utilise key influencers to effectively implement and use new technologies. Through successfully communicating changes throughout each process, your organisations will get the most out of the new technologies that you incorporate into your processes. The experience that already exists in our manufacturing workforce should complement the strides the industry is taking through advances in technology. 

If you are interested in hiring professionals to your engineering and manufacturing business, please get in touch with your local Michael Page office today. If you are looking for a new opportunity, create a MyPage account to make the most of our Job Match tool and find the jobs that are best suited to your unique skill set.

Tom Fenwick
Senior Consultant, Michael Page Engineering & Manufacturing