When discussing material handling systems, this is a question that often comes up. The answer in short is yes. While talk of automation can strike fear in many employees who think automation jeopardizes their livelihoods, when done thoughtfully and strategically, AI can improve productivity and efficiency, freeing up people to do more preferred and important tasks.
We sat down and spoke with Nick Basham, a Magnum regional manager, to talk about how automation can ultimately help with hiring and retaining employees in the company for a longer time.
“I think overall automation is necessary for organizations and corporations, but especially for those with bulk material handling equipment,” says Basham. “The one thing I always think about is that the organization must protect itself so it can protect its people. And, automation can help in this way.”
Automating Tasks Employees Would Rather Not Do
Automation has the potential to give employees more leadership opportunities within the company, opportunities for advancement, and allow robotics and other automated processes to do the tasks that humans really don't do very well and don’t particularly want to do.
“People think about automation in terms of getting rid of people, and that absolutely does happen, which is why when our material handling integrators go into a plant, we need to be very conscious about the recommendations we're making, and that they're legitimate for that plant because we know it can potentially cost someone a job,” explains Basham.
“However, most of the time when we automate, we're automating because a plant is either having difficulty filling the role of a very laborious job that people either can't do or won't do or find that people often get hurt doing those jobs. End-of-the-line packaging is a great example, given the product weights and palletizing. So, automation is really helping the company’s employees reposition themselves in areas of the plant where they can do other jobs or move into a new role that is more valuable to the company.”
Becoming More Competitive Through Automated Material Handling Solutions
Automation also gives companies a competitive edge.
“I talked to a customer today who said the big reason they want to automate is to be more competitive in the labor market and create a business environment where people want to be,” says Basham. “They are competing with other businesses out there, and if they can make it easier for an employee to work there, then they'll be able to hire better people to keep them long-term.”
Creating a cleaner, less labor-intensive environment for employees can make a company more attractive within its hiring market. Hiring and retaining people is one of the most difficult challenges today. Automation is, perhaps ironically, helping resolve this current challenge by improving their outlook on material handling work and increasing overall morale.
Automation Helps Avoid Burnout and Improves Retention
Clients have told Basham that once automation is implemented in a plant, it has helped boost creativity and efficiency with employees, as well as increased their job satisfaction levels. Clients also have commented that employee morale and employee retention are byproducts that play into automating mundane and laborious material handling processes within a plant. With new opportunities and better work environments, automation continues to help resolve the difficulties of optimizing employee outlook and retention.
“When performing repetitive physical labor, people need to take breaks and rest,” Basham explains. “The constant need to turn around and pick up a bag and place it perfectly on a stack or put it on a spout is very hard to do for eight straight hours a day. It's not hard for palletizing robots.”
This is just one way in which automation can aid in efficiency and functionality, benefiting both the company and its employees.
Automation: An Essential Tool for Recruitment
In terms of recruitment, automation can help companies advertise themselves a bit differently. A potential employee may be more apt to apply to a position where they manage an automated process instead of applying for a job knowing that they will be picking up and stacking 50- to 100-pound bags for most of the day. It also allows specific individuals to advance themselves beyond the tedium of picking up heavy bags for several hours.
“They can put themselves above their competition when it comes to the area hiring market, whether in a big city or a small city,” says Basham. “I think, in general, Americans have become used to things coming easier and faster because of technology and how quickly it is progressing. And so, manual labor associated with industrial systems and just about everywhere else is not preferred, especially among younger people.”
Automation has inspired companies to train new and existing employees to learn electronics, how to troubleshoot programming, how to troubleshoot electrical issues, and many other associated skills. These are very marketable skills to add to an employee’s toolbelt that can lead to advancement with their existing employer and any future employers.
When automated systems are in place, they lead to less stress and pressure. When tedious processes are automated in material handling systems, employees have more time and energy for activities like team meetings or networking opportunities. So, automating tedious routine tasks positively impacts employee morale and overall productivity.
More Material Handling System Integration and Automation Benefits for Companies and Employees
We have touched on a few so far, but thanks to a post on the NexAir website*, we include some more ways that automation benefits everybody:
| Taking Care of Your Workforce Through Automation
As automated processes take over monotonous processes, employees can learn something new, add more value to the operations, and contribute to the company’s success in new, meaningful ways. Meanwhile, business owners can expand production lines while training freed-up employees in new competencies and technologies, such as managing new machines, which helps level up the entire business.
| Decreases Workload
Taking repetitive, unwieldy tasks off employees’ workload can make room for new training and better work experiences. Being liberated from limiting tasks can drive employees to better appreciate their role in a company’s material handling operations and expand their proficiencies within the company.
| Promotes Workplace Safety
Risky tasks that could cause physical injuries and health problems among workers can now be passed on to programmable machines, like palletizing robots. This gives workers a greater sense of security in the workplace, which helps reduce stress and anxiety and promotes general well-being.
| Increases Job Satisfaction
Employees given opportunities to grow beyond their roles tend to be more energized and motivated and have a more positive outlook on their career path. In turn, satisfied employees stay longer with their companies, saving you the costs and effort of hiring and training new people to fill vacated positions.
| Aligns With Professional Growth Programs
Employees can pursue training and professional development programs within the company without disrupting or slowing down operations. Automation also promotes higher productivity, outputs, and increased profits – a portion of which can be used to fund more benefits that further improve employee satisfaction and reduce attrition in the long term.
| Integrating Automation, Investing in Human Labor
While some argue that automation favors machines over people, a closer look at its essence suggests otherwise. Automation takes that mechanical feeling away from a person’s job so they can focus on more meaningful tasks. It allows workers to maximize production while simultaneously evolving as professionals. When automation is thoughtfully integrated into a business, it’s a win-win situation for the employer and employees. While it involves capital investment costs, the benefits of automation are multi-faceted and far-reaching – from increasing production output to enhancing overall employee performance.
| Automation Can be a Powerful Tool
In today’s competitive job market, attracting and retaining top talent is essential for businesses to succeed. Automation can be a powerful tool in this regard, helping to automate time-consuming tasks, improve recruitment processes, enhance employee satisfaction, and improve training and development opportunities. As Nick Basham noted, automation is necessary for corporations to protect themselves, but it can also create a more productive and engaged workforce. Embracing automation thoughtfully can ultimately help both employees and employers thrive. Contact our team to discuss how automation can help solve your bulk material handling, employee recruitment and retention challenges.
*For more information about the benefits outlined above, please visit How Automation Promotes Employee Retention - nexAir.
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