US industry is undergoing a once-in-a-generation transformation. US federal government incentives to boost domestic manufacturing are driving businesses to accelerate their plans to use automated technologies.
The pace of this change gives a strong illustration of the significant benefits of automation, particularly in the industrial space. Automation provides not just a way of increasing business output but also of overcoming industrial labor shortages that could hinder growth plans, with Deloitte forecasting that the US could need 3.8 million more industrial workers by 2033, but 1.9 million of these roles could go unfilled.
But there are also obstacles: The high cost of investing in physical automation equipment like robotics can present significant upfront spend, and a lack of skilled workers who can operate it, among the risks holding businesses back.
Our study examines how US industry is preparing for and adapting to this rapidly-evolving shift, the growing importance of process automation and what expectations, risks, and opportunities are associated with it.
The study shows that there is a clear demand among US businesses for automated technology that’s simple to use, cost-effective, and can be scaled quickly and durably