Between supply chain disruptions, a shaky economy, and labor shortages, manufacturing industry challenges aren’t hard to come by of late.
But the news isn’t all negative, as new technological advances are rapidly evolving to help solve key manufacturing issues.
The topics we’ll be exploring throughout this article include:
76% of manufacturers are turning to innovative tools to make their supply chains more transparent
Supply Chain Disruptions
If there’s one thing the past few years have taught us, it’s the power of a single supply chain issue to throw a wrench into the entire system. Many companies have begun mitigating the ever-present risk of supply snags by forming partnerships with multiple suppliers.
A recent Deloitte survey also discovered that 76% of manufacturers are turning to innovative digital tools to make their supply chains more transparent. For example, a solid CRM like HubSpot can help streamline the process of maintaining communication with your ever-growing network of partners. But it also offers all the tools you need to tackle common manufacturing challenges from sales forecasting to invoicing.
It’s also worth exploring the latest predictive supply chain software solutions. The right blend of technology can go a long way toward better supply chain transparency and fewer unpleasant surprises.
Technological Advancements and Adaptation
The rapid advancement of technology has created its share of both manufacturing industry challenges and benefits. Some manufacturers are already turning to solutions like blockchain technology and industrial metaverse applications to streamline their operations. Others are still attempting to wrap their heads around the idea of a smart factory and everything it entails.
Rest assured you're not alone if you find yourself overwhelmed by the flood of new technology available on the market. The important thing to understand is that there’s no need to go from zero to the brink of sci-fi overnight.
Start by simply making an effort to stay as up-to-date as possible about the new advances and how other companies are using them. Rather than going all on new tech right out of the gate, take the time to develop a targeted, realistic strategy that addresses your company’s most important issues first.
Generating Quality Leads
The rise of marketing automation has dramatically transformed how many companies find and nurture high-quality leads. Lead generation for manufacturers is now less about cold calls and more about creating a finely-tuned inbound marketing strategy.
There are even plenty of free lead-generation tools you can use to create high-quality websites, automate emails, and track sales pipelines. Putting the time and effort into finding the right sales and marketing tools for your company can have a substantial impact on your bottom line.
You might even decide to spring for paid predictive lead-scoring software that can automatically point your sales team toward the most promising leads. No matter what tools you choose to incorporate, it’s all about finding ways to work smarter instead of harder.
Quality Control Issues
Challenges in manufacturing industry quality control aren’t necessarily anything new. But with the dramatic rise of e-commerce, customers now expect both high-quality products and exceptional levels of customer support.
Consider taking the same approach to customer service and support as you do to internal statistical process control (SPC). Much like product development, great customer support largely comes down to ensuring that team members are all on the same page.
Consider utilizing a CRM like the HubSpot Service Hub to equip your team with everything they need to provide outstanding service and collect customer feedback. Some of the Service Hub's tool include features like:
- Help desk automation
- Customer feedback and surveys
- Service analytics reporting
- Live chat
- Customer service playbooks
- Knowledge base functionality
Labor Shortages
According to the Q1 2024 Manufacturers’ Outlook Survey by the National Association of Manufacturers, over 65% of manufacturers said their biggest challenge was attracting and retaining employees. If you’re having trouble finding new recruits, it may be time to take a page out of the b2b lead generation playbook.
Many companies use manufacturing inbound marketing to convince leads they are worth doing business with. Why not use it to show top talent why it’s a great place to work? Rather than limiting your job posts to the basics, be sure to mention any perks that employees will enjoy by joining your team.
Whether it’s a competitive salary, great benefits, or a flourishing company culture, present your company in its best light. You might even consider breaking through old manufacturing stereotypes by creating videos of your clean, state-of-the-art facility and sharing them on social networks like LinkedIn.
Environmental and Sustainability Challenges
Some manufacturing problems have been around longer than others. Combating a long-standing reputation for massive energy and resource consumption has long been one of the biggest challenges faced by manufacturing industries worldwide.
As the effects of global warming become increasingly apparent, more manufacturers are embracing more sustainable solutions along their journey to joining the “Fourth Industrial Revolution.” If you’re interested in learning more about creating an eco-friendly company, the World Economic Forum’s Global Lighthouse Network is a great place to start.
The organization offers plenty of great resources on how to incorporate the latest innovations while cutting costs on raw materials and energy usage. While complying with official regulations is vital, never underestimate the power of going above and beyond. Manufacturers who weave sustainability into their core values now will likely enjoy a solid foundation as the industry leaders of the future.
Conclusion
No matter what type of manufacturing issues your company is grappling with, rest assured that there are more innovative solutions available than ever before. Whether you’re looking for new ways to attract leads or cut operating costs, it’s an exciting time to explore new possibilities. Staying on top of the latest industry advances can help you prepare to lead your company into the next generation of manufacturing possibilities.
