What Comes Next? A Look into Automation in 2025
With the end of the year comes the holiday season. With the holiday season comes a high demand for industrial settings. That’s why companies such as Chewy are taking advantage of this time to put their automation tools to the test. During an earnings call this month, the CEO of the company explained that automation and supply chain tools aided their fulfillment centers in tackling the company’s highest order period. But processing such as this is just one example of an industrial arena enhancing its automation integration. With so many more poised to do so, here is a wrap-up of some of the areas predicted to experience the growing relationship between tech and the industrial sector.
Product Manufacturing
Product manufacturing will continue to be a key place of innovation. According to Deloitte, “55% of surveyed industrial product manufacturers are already leveraging gen AI tools in their operations, and over 40% plan to increase investment in AI and machine learning over the next three years,” as reported by Material, Handling & Logistics. A significant driver behind this transition is the obvious need for supply chain streamlining.
Warehouses
Because Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) have become so much more efficient with the advent of AI and machine learning, it is likely that these advancing tools will become even more commonplace. This impacts tasks such as predictive maintenance and inventory planning.
Smart Factories
Smart factories are essentially at the forefront of introducing relevant technologies. As such, they will help pave the way for further integration of adaptive control systems, which are specifically designed to shift with changing conditions. They are also better prepared to handle the influx of data that comes with smart technologies.
Sources:
● “Chewy peak season aided by automation” - Alejandra Carranza, Supply Chain Dive
https://www.supplychaindive.com/news/chewy-automated-fulfillment-centers-q3-2024/735062/
● “Manufacturing Outlook for 2025” - Material, Handling & Logistics
https://www.mhlnews.com/global-supply-chain/news/55245299/manufacturing-outlook-for-2025
● “Predictions: Innovations shaping warehouse automation in 2025” - Theresa Macdonald, Robotics and Automation News
● “Automation in manufacturing: Top 5 manufacturing trends for 2025” - The Manufacturer
https://www.themanufacturer.com/articles/top-5-manufacturing-automation-trends-for-2025/