Micheal Clements, NAFB News Service

Both the immediate and long-term future of the manufacturing industry will be defined by the development of several evolving and prominent trends. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers says these trends are poised to have a significant impact in 2021. The organization has identified five key trends, including COVID-19 and enhancing employee safety. Other trends are a more connected workforce through technology, expanding the Internet of Things, localized production and predictive maintenance. The Internet of Things has long been a trend to watch in manufacturing. According to a recent study conducted by the MPI Group, approximately 31 percent of manufacturing production processes now incorporate smart devices and embedded intelligence. Furthermore, more than one-third of manufacturers have established plans to implement IoT technology into their processes, while 32 percent plan to embed the technology into their products. The technology offers both remote monitoring and predictive maintenance capabilities, making it even more valuable for organizations looking to maintain visibility of equipment performance from afar.