• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer

My TechDecisions

  • COVID-19 Update
  • Best of Tech Decisions
  • Topics
    • Video
    • Audio
    • Mobility
    • Unified Communications
    • IT Infrastructure
    • Network Security
    • Physical Security
    • Facility
    • Compliance
  • RFP Resources
  • Resources
  • Podcasts
  • Subscribe
  • Project of the Week
  • About Us
    SEARCH
Facility, News

Manufacturing Jobs Are Getting Hit the Hardest by Automation – Here’s Why

Researchers explain why manufacturing is getting conquered by robotics, and what that means for humans jobs ten years down the road.

July 23, 2019 Jessica Messier Leave a Comment

Robots have had 5 million human jobs in the manufacturing sector since 2000. According to Business Insider, that number is only going to climb: a report by Oxford Economics says robots are forecasted to take 20 million manufacturing jobs, which accounts for 8.5 percent of the global manufacturing workforce.

The Oxford Economics report also says that China will lead the charge in automating jobs in manufacturing; by 2030, it will have 14 million industrial robots in use. Other researchers and reports say the world is on track to follow suit due to the implementation of robotics, Business Insider says. For example:

  • Newly installed robots currently replace 1.6 manufacturing workers
  • Half of companies are expected to reduce their full-time workforce by 2020
  • Approximately 7 million jobs in the United Kingdom may be displaced by 2037
  • 800 million people worldwide may be jobless by 2030

One reason why robotics is booming in manufacturing is due to cost – machines are much cheaper than paying people, Business Insider says. “Technological advancements have pushed down the average unit price of robots by 11% between 2011 to 2016. The US has already lost 260,000 due to automation since the turn of the century.”

Going, Going, Gone

As robotics continue to increase and manpower continues to decrease, it seems that this trend is going to stick around, especially in the United States. Business Insider says that the Oxford Economics report has “implications for manufacturing policy,” especially since President Trump promised to bring back manufacturing jobs in his campaign, and didn’t. In fact, manufacturing job opportunities dropped even faster during his administration: “Manufacturing activity fell in the US to a two-year low in June, in part due to the ongoing trade war with China,” Business Insider says.

Regardless of which country they’re based in, decision makers should consider how their company is, or will be affected by robotics, and how they can support human workers and automation simultaneously. This is because whether or not a company is ready, the machines are coming: “The repercussions of robotization are interconnected and complex, but the growth in robotics is inevitable,” Business Insider says, pointing to the Oxford Economics report. “These challenges must be embraced and addressed.”

Tagged With: Automation, Manufacturing

Related Content:

  • Avocor W Series 8 All-in-One Videoconferencing Displays That Make Meetings Easier
  • DTEN ONboard DTEN Launches ONboard for Zoom Whiteboard
  • GoTo Connect, GoTo Resolve GoTo Brings IT Helpdesk Support to GoTo Connect
  • Zoom macOS Update Zoom on macOS Devices Now

Free downloadable guide you may like:

  • Hybrid Work webinarFeatured Webcast: Collaboration 2.0 — Where Are We Now?

    In this webinar, subject matter experts discuss the transformation of the workplace, the rise of hybrid workers, the importance of open connectivity and the technology solutions that can drive high levels of productivity.

Reader Interactions

Leave a Reply Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Get the FREE Tech Decisions eNewsletter

Sign up Today!

Latest Downloads

Shadow IT
Blueprint Series: How to Reduce Shadow IT

The distributed work model gives employees the flexibility they demand, but it can lead to shadow IT and introduce unnecessary security risk. Resea...

Hybrid Work webinar
Featured Webcast: Collaboration 2.0 — Where Are We Now?

In this webinar, subject matter experts discuss the transformation of the workplace, the rise of hybrid workers, the importance of open connectivit...

guide to end user training cover
Pro Tips for Conducting End User Training

Effective trainings are the glue that can make the difference following a new technology implementation that your team has spent so much time, effo...

View All Downloads

Would you like your latest project featured on TechDecisions as Project of the Week?

Apply Today!
Sharp Microsoft Collaboration HQ Logo

Learn More About the
Windows Collaboration Display

More from Our Sister Publications

Get the latest news about AV integrators and Security installers from our sister publications:

Commercial IntegratorSecurity Sales

AV-iQ

Footer

TechDecisions

  • Home
  • Welcome to TechDecisions
  • Subscribe to the Newsletter
  • Contact Us
  • Media Solutions & Advertising
  • Comment Guidelines
  • RSS Feeds
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Linkedin

Free Technology Guides

FREE Downloadable resources from TechDecisions provide timely insight into the issues that IT, A/V, and Security end-users, managers, and decision makers are facing in commercial, corporate, education, institutional, and other vertical markets

View all Guides
TD Project of the Week

Get your latest project featured on TechDecisions Project of the Week. Submit your work once and it will be eligible for all upcoming weeks.

Enter Today!
Emerald Logo
ABOUTCAREERSAUTHORIZED SERVICE PROVIDERSTERMS OF USEPRIVACY POLICY

© 2022 Emerald X, LLC. All rights reserved.