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September-October 2020

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PalletCentral • September-October 2020 13 Robotics specifically are becoming more and more prevalent in the wooden pallet and container industry. But, I believe that they will continue gaining ground (along with other types of automated equipment and systems) as labor markets shrink and cost of materials increase. These changes in the basic building blocks of manufacturing are forcing more and more business leaders to look for creative and innovative ways to increase productivity through efficiency so that they can continue to maintain and even improve their margins." While all this works itself out in the marketplace, the Task Force stands ready to share innovation and information on trends as more companies find ways to automate. "It may be a while before we see this committee come into its fullness as a resource to all NWPCA members. For now, those companies who are automating are trailblazing," notes Barford. Societal Response to Automation Robotics isn't necessarily about technology, at least in the United States. It is more of an issue that involves economic fairness and, yes, politics. Disruption in the marketplace has already arrived. All one has to do is to look at large e-commerce consumer product providers, like Amazon or Wayfair, to see it at work. From artificial intelligence to track consumer wants, to drones and robots to move product in warehouses, to the explosion of the gig worker economy replacing fulltime employment opportunities, these machines are increasing efficiency to allow companies to profit. So much so that it has finally caught the attention of legislators who now worry that along with jobs going overseas, American workers could be replaced by "Rosey the Robot." In 2019, the Congressional Future of Work Caucus was formed by Rep. Lisa Blunt Rochester (D-Del.) and Rep. Bryan Steil (R-Wisc.), co-chairs, and now has 19 members. According to Steil's website, "The Caucus plans to discuss a number of topics, including the growing effects of automation on the workforce, the emerging impact of artificial intelligence on society, the changing nature of the social contract, and the possible disruption and opportunities presented by technology in the U.S. economy." As this committee develops, we will likely see legislation come forward protecting worker's rights in the light of automation. J ust a few years ago with an eye on the future, NWPCA saw robotics and automation emerge as an industry trend. According to a 2018 PalletCentral.com blog by Kurt Larsen, President & CEO of Viking Engineering & Development, "Automation can be defined as the technology by which a process or procedure is performed without human assistance. Industrial automation deals primarily with the automation of manufacturing, quality control and material handling processes." "We are in a new stage of increased awareness and use of automation in the United States," he continued. "The industry has seen automation in material handling, data accumulation, equipment and other areas. Robots are relatively new to the U.S. industry. Demographics, geography, warehouse space, logistics and economic (access to cheap labor) factors play a role in the timing of automation." Fast forward to 2020. While still emerging, robotics is at work in the pallet industry. Several larger companies have automated machinery in place as a vital part of their facility processes (see one of their stories on page 16). To monitor the trend, NWPCA established the Automation Task Force – a committee tasked with tracking the robotics and automation within the pallet community. "In this industry," says Mark Barford, the task force NWPCA staff liaison, "we still are seeing robotics automation as cutting edge. While there are companies adopting this technology, because of the prohibitive costs, it is still on a very small scale. Those who have robotics are investing in their future and using machinery to accomplish high safety risk tasks in hard to fill jobs." "Even if they wanted to hire workers for these jobs, the reality is there is a workforce shortage. At some point, the investment in machinery will be the long- term solution to this issue," says Barford. "As more companies manufacture robotic solutions, the prices of automation should become more affordable for all." Others agree with that line of thinking. "Simply put, we believe that automation is the future of manufacturing, period," says Kevan Grinwis, Vice President, Automated Machine Systems. "Whether you're manufacturing pallets or something entirely different, the world is moving toward automation. iStockphoto.com/PhonlamaiPhoto

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