The Internet of Things (IoT)One of the top drivers that will revolutionize any sector of the economy is the internet of things (IoT). Businesses, manufacturing plants, and offices that are connected to the internet have been proven to be smarter, more efficient and productive than those that are not connected. In the metal fabrication industry, some of the benefits that IoT will provide include predictive maintenance of equipment, decreased safety hazards, and increased chain visbility. In a nutshell, the metal fabrication industry will continue to rely on the many benefits that come with connectivity.

Automation

There is no doubt that a plethora of changes are already happening in the metal fabrication industry, but one that’s particularly changing the nature of the industry is automation. Automated production does not only stand well when it comes to process optimization but has also been proven to have upbeat impacts on cost reduction. In the coming years, metal fabrication jobs will become more intricate and will even involve the use of robots.

Investment in Research and Development (R&D)

R&D is critical, especially if you want to remain competitive in the industry you are in. Today, many businesses in Canada are doubling their R & D expenditure to drive growth and more are adopting a wide range of new technologies to expand their market reach. In future, the trend is expected to continue and more metal fabrication firms are going to scout for additional opportunities to grow and compete—so more innovations are expected to emerge in the industry.

Outsourcing

Many players in the manufacturing and engineering sectors in Canada have long been ardent consumers of outsourcing services because it provides employees with opportunities to focus on other tasks without the worry of being tied up with additional work. Despite the benefits, bigger percentage of firms have had bad experience with outsourcing and are shifting to fully managed sourcing solutions where one company is tasked with managing the entire supply chain process—right from the prototype, sourcing, shipping to door-to-door delivery.

Bottom Line

The above highlighted are just the proverbial tip of the iceberg when it comes to trends that are likely to dominate the sheet metal fabrication industry in 2017 and beyond. It is apparent that a number of factors will play a big role in shaping the future of this critical industry. You can learn additional information at Heather and Little.