The challenges created by the global landscape are pushing companies to move effectively toward a more technological, competitive, and productive manufacturing industry through planning and digitalization.
In recent years, the Mexican market has analyzed the concepts, needs, and benefits that Industry 4.0 can bring to the national economy. However, the COVID-19 pandemic forced companies out of their comfort zones and accelerated the adoption of digital transformation as the path to remain competitive.
According to a survey conducted by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE), a professional technical organization in the United States dedicated to advancing technology, 19% of respondents believe that digital solutions brought significant lessons to the manufacturing industry, as this sector is expected to be among the most impacted by technology in the coming years. Meanwhile, 55% of respondents indicated that they accelerated cloud computing adoption during the pandemic, 52% adopted 5G technology, and 51% accelerated Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning projects.
For this reason, even amid an uncertain landscape, the Mexican manufacturing industry must focus on two main priorities: digitalization and planning.
Digitalization in the Manufacturing Industry
According to consulting firm McKinsey & Company, by 2025, processes related to digital transformation are expected to reduce equipment maintenance costs by up to 40%, lower energy consumption by 20%, and increase labor productivity by as much as 25%.
To achieve these results, the Mexican manufacturing sector must first turn the theoretical discussion around digitalization into practical action. This means increasing the level of digitalization across all business processes and implementing proper verification systems for operational data.
The pandemic also accelerated the need for greater inventory and production control, especially within the food industry. Many companies still lack advanced solutions for these operations and require comprehensive management systems capable of collecting relevant information and integrating all areas of the business.
The race to accelerate manual processes began gradually in 2020 and continues to grow. However, one of the most important considerations is employee training. Companies must prepare their teams to adopt new technologies and understand the real business value they provide in order to maximize the potential of digital transformation initiatives.
Planning in the Manufacturing Industry
Production planning has become another strategic priority for manufacturing companies and will continue to demand attention in the coming years.
It is essential for companies to evaluate their capacity to meet market demand while maintaining complete visibility across production processes.
Advanced technological solutions now allow manufacturers to:
- Simulate multiple operational scenarios
- Analyze the impact of new orders
- Estimate production timelines
- Evaluate how to serve specific customers
- Identify inventory shortages or excess stock
- Reduce operational losses and purchasing errors
- Improve cash flow management
- Diagnose factors affecting daily productivity
The current landscape demands intelligence and efficiency. Mexico has highly qualified professionals throughout the manufacturing ecosystem, although in the United States the incorporation of technology into production processes is already considered standard practice.
Mexico must continue moving in this direction, as innovation reduces costs, minimizes losses, and significantly improves long-term productivity.
Consumer behavior and sales channels have also evolved since the pandemic, making it increasingly difficult for companies to stay ahead of competitors without technological solutions capable of simulating scenarios and adapting quickly to changing demand.
Oradel Industrial Center and the Future of Manufacturing
Oradel Industrial Center is committed to supporting the growth of the Mexican manufacturing industry by providing the infrastructure and services companies need to successfully implement technology-driven operations within modern industrial facilities.