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The past 18 months presented a bevy of production challenges, from health and safety concerns on the factory floor, to difficulty getting parts and service, to rapidly changing market demands. To address those challenges and more, many fabricators looked to accelerate the already-driving trends toward increased factory automation and integration, and improved production efficiencies.

Among the chief trends in the machinery and equipment space is that of automation, which can help customers address their top challenges, including labor. Morgan Donohue, president, Erdman Automation, says the company “is always looking for ways to improve quality and throughput without adding labor.” This is especially true as COVID led to a larger uptick in volume and desire to improve production, he says.

Customers have a desire to continually improve processes by replacing equipment; a trend that sources expect to continue into next year. Software and other tools also play a key role in automation.

“The pandemic leaves us with an even greater conviction that automation applied intelligently and wisely to production can offer valuable help,” says Nicola Lattuada, partner, Adelio Lattuada Srl; president, Lattuada North America Inc.