Automation World, April 2004
Automation brings manufacturers through recession—and poises them for growth
James R. Koelsch
The last few years have not been exactly the best of times for manufacturers. In fact, they have been the worst of times for many, especially those not invested in flexible automation and information technology. As the recession proved rather painfully, concentrating on controlling the cost of labor is not a winning strategy in the developed world. This strategy gives the third-world countries the upper hand.
The only way for companies in developed societies to prosper in the long run is through a combination of ingenuity and investment in capital equipment that allows them to become more productive, yet retain the flexibility to roll with a changing market. In other words, success means deploying flexible automation and information technology. It means getting a good return on one’s investment in automation.
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