Small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) face major challenges now and in the future because of a shortage of skilled workers, rising raw material prices and rapidly changing customer requirements. Discover how you can overcome these challenges and learn what advantages robots can bring SMEs.
1. Robots and the skills gap
In 2021 alone, there was a shortage of 87,000 skilled workers in the skilled trades in Germany – primarily in the fields of construction electrics, plumbing, heating, air-conditioning technology and automotive technology. These shortages are growing. The good news, however, is that robots are providing solutions for SMEs. They not only take on tasks for which companies cannot find skilled workers, but they also increase the attractiveness of companies for customers and employees alike.
2. Speedy onboarding and seamless integration
Automating production with a robot is easier than you might think. That’s because for installation and commissioning, managers and employees don’t need to be robotics professionals or programming experts. Many robot manufacturers, such as automation company Kuka, provide application packages and a broad portfolio of software and services. Via its system partners program, for example, onboarding is accomplished within a short time, and robot solutions are seamlessly integrated into production processes.
3. Robots provide flexibility
The pressure to react quickly and flexibly to new customer requirements or developments in production poses major challenges for SMEs. Robots can quickly and easily be adapted to changing requirements and therefore make production more flexible. By being able to adapt quickly to new orders and different batch sizes, businesses offer additional value to customers and maintain competitiveness in the long term.
4. Robots increase a company’s attractiveness
Although automation is popular, many employees worldwide express concern that their employers do not invest enough in innovative technologies. Robots help companies to become even more attractive to customers, employees and trainees. A genuine focus on modern production processes has a positive impact on a company’s image, which in turn can also attract potential investors.
5. Automation reduces the workload of employees
Musculoskeletal disorders are a main cause of incapacity to work in the skilled trades in Germany. This, however, does not have to be the case, because robots can take over the burdensome and monotonous tasks from employees. This subsequently means reduced sick leave and lower costs. US scientists have calculated that the use of industrial robots results in 12 work-related injuries being prevented per 1,000 full-time employees. This helped US companies save 1.69 billion US dollars during the study period.
6. Support throughout the process chain
The areas of application for robots are huge and they can be changed to suit different processes very quickly when required. Whether for palletizing, loading and unloading machines, quality control or welding, robotic colleagues can perfectly complement well-established human teams and master their tasks reliably and precisely. And there is no need to worry about robots working together with their human colleagues: safety precautions are well thought out and can be adapted to specific needs.
7. Small risk, big opportunities: automation pays off
Don’t worry about big costs because automation pays off and it doesn’t take long to achieve a return on investment. Check out this payback example:
- Cost of a compact robotic cell for welding applications*: approx. 110,000 euros
- Cost for one employee per shift: 35,000 to 45,000 euros/year
- Automation runs in two shifts
- Personnel costs for two-shift operation: 2 x 40,000 euros = 80,000 euros
- Amortization of investment costs within 16.5 months (depending on consideration of residual value and average annual return)
* With a project-specific fixture and welding technology from a premium manufacturer, programmed, including onsite commissioning and training for the system. Individual costs such as maintenance and energy costs for the operation of the plant are not included here.
*This case study was kindly provided to us by KUKA.
