Once a dirty word on production floors everywhere, and formerly spoken with unbridled glee in executive conference rooms, automation has become something much more comprehensive than merely a way to reduce labor. Sure, some workers still grumble, but the longstanding shortage of skilled labor, coupled with advantages in making the workday less monotonous and safer, have helped mitigate some of the perennial objections on the shop floor. Meanwhile, improvements in part quality, machine capabilities, and manufacturing productivity—especially in light of competition from companies in low-wage countries—have come together to create an updated perspective of automated manufacturing systems in the executive suite.
