Are you being stretched too thin? If so, adding more people to your labor force is not the only option you have. Here are seven signs you are ready to add automation to your packaging line.
Understanding your target markets and projecting for potential growth in advance will help justify new investments in machinery. Ask yourself: Will you be adding new products in the coming year? Do you anticipate a large amount of growth? Pay attention to the interests of your target market and how they align with your product mix. Is something happening in the news or current events that show a need for your product? On the other hand, you may be able to justify automation due to a decrease in demand. If the markets you serve are expected to see a decrease in demand, automation can potentially save you in overall operations costs, reducing your labor force and, therefore, saving in overhead costs. The ROI from automation can be quick and reducing headcount can save quite a bit.