How Can Automation Help Businesses Become More Sustainable?

Sustainability. A buzzword that surrounds the manufacturing industry.

A word that is putting manufacturing companies, in particular, under the spotlight when it comes to implementing energy-saving solutions towards saving our planet.

As businesses, we now have a duty to shift our thinking of sustainability from a nice to have to a significant part of business strategy, with manufacturers looking for positive transformations.

Positive transformations in the form of automation – looking further and more in-depth at processes, people, and in particular, at the energy ratings of machinery and their component parts.

With current reports stating that, at present, manufacturing operations consume 17% of the UK’s energy resources, and as the energy crisis continues, and at present shows no signs of coming under control, areas of high energy consumption (i.e., the number of machines in operation, taking into account air and water consumption too) that can be proactively reduced through automation is critical.

However, we know that the energy rating of the devices used alongside specific machinery isn’t always an area that is considered. And we also understand the challenges manufacturers face in implementing and building sustainability into whole business strategies.

That’s why not only to grow a sustainable business but to survive, SMEs must take the necessary steps to automate, reduce energy consumption, and introduce sustainable initiatives beyond the machine.

More than the machine

Nexus IE recently talked about the hidden elements of sustainability, for example, engagement and community, as well as energy consumption and waste.

As innovative product manufacturers, NEXUS believes that to build a net zero business with sustainability at the forefront of business operations, you must look to:

• Build social trust – positively contributing to local communities.
• Build sustainability into all strategies and agendas – transparency in communications is key.
• Collaborate – developing commercially beneficial relationships.
• Invest in your teams, and
• Reduce your energy consumption in every way possible.

How to automate for sustainability

As the cost of energy and materials continues to rise at an incredibly fast pace, manufacturers now need to focus on how they can reduce these areas through innovative automation.

Automation, as we know, is the key to supporting manufacturing growth in the UK, but it also plays a significant part in supporting long-term, sustainable success.

Automation can reduce waste, increase production, speed up timescales, allow you to remain competitive, improve safety by streamlining processes, avoid downtime, upskill workers, and more.

In addition, by working with the experts at Innomech with the right automation, you can also reduce energy, including air and water consumption, threefold.

We evaluate where improvements to processes and procedures can be made with automation and carefully analyse the energy consumption of the machine’s component parts. Looking at the energy rating of the devices Innomech put together in the machines, for example, the HMI screens and components – areas that, through automation, can generate significant energy efficiencies.

For manufacturers there is a considerable amount to consider, with The Manufacturer also encouraging manufacturers to think about:

• Energy management
• Environmental emissions management
• Performance management
• Equipment effectiveness
• Capacity management
• And how these can be tackled through advances in digital and automation.

By implementing the appropriate automation, automation that will allow you to achieve your desired returns and engaging your workforce with your net-zero plans and objectives, long-term sustainability leading to improved profit margins and business growth is achievable.

If businesses are to grow and survive as well as meet global initiatives and agendas, as mentioned in The Manufacturer, the focus must be to evaluate, prioritise, and consider all risks and opportunities.

Benefits of automation in manufacturing

• Reduces waste
• Supports a long-term vision/agenda
• Allows you to focus on specific operations
• Improves labour efficiencies and productivity
• Enables you to continue to meet customer needs and expectations
• Ensures business continuity
• Achieves a year-on-year reduction in carbon footprint

With the right automation, manufacturers can also drive operational efficiencies, achieve long-term growth, and gain a greater competitive edge, as you’re provided with even more data and greater insights for further energy improvements.

Innovative, bespoke automation can help you achieve quick wins as opportunities arise and allow you to meet long-term strategic objectives.

Automation by the experts

We’re aware that climate change and the ever-changing political landscape are affecting production, and we understand that, as a result, manufacturers are being asked to re-evaluate processes and procedures to support the net-zero agenda.

To support you in achieving your business goals, reducing energy consumption across all aspects of machinery, and introducing automation into your manufacturing, the team at Innomech can help.

With automation set to grow significantly over the next few years – are you ready?

Working together, make Innomech part of your growth strategy today.

Contact us for an initial discussion.

For more information on How Can Automation Help Businesses Become More Sustainable? talk to GB Innomech Ltd