Sustainability and leadership in the age of industrial automation

Is automation industrial’s route to a greener future?

With nearly 30% of the U.S.’s greenhouse gas emissions coming from the Industrial sector, including the indirect emissions from the sector’s electricity consumption, it goes without saying that it is a sector in the spotlight when it comes to sustainability. Industrial and manufacturing automation could, however, play an integral role in improving the sector’s carbon footprint and leaders will play a key part in enabling this.

Industrial automation has applications across numerous sectors that historically have had an incredibly negative environmental impact; automotive, oil and gas, cement, chemical, infrastructure, food & beverage, transport and mining (to name a few).

With the potential to reduce energy consumption, optimise resources and create more efficient processes, automation across the global industrial and manufacturing space has the potential to revolutionise how things are made and at what cost to the planet. Rockwell Automation, one of the world’s largest companies dedicated to industrial automation and digital transformation, recently released a report “Five Key Operational Pathways to Accelerate Industrial Decarbonization” – that looks at how the industrial sector can leverage data-driven technologies and insights to help accelerate the energy transition. In essence, the report connects the dots between automation technology and sustainability.

Robots and automation can also be used to track and monitor environmental data, providing businesses with crucial information helping them make informed decisions about their operations. Data collected can be used to identify energy inefficiencies, identify areas for improvement, and measure progress towards sustainability goals.

In addition to streamlining processes across the global industrial and manufacturing landscape in order to reduce energy consumption, large automation organisations can also play an active role in helping reverse the negative effects of climate change. Take ABB for example, who have recently launched a pilot project, using a collaborative robot (cobot) called YuMi, in collaboration with non-profit organisation Junglekeepers to demonstrate the potential of robots in reversing deforestation. YuMi uses solar power to automate seed planting, speeding up reforestation in the Amazon.

From a business perspective, industrial automation can help organisations reach key environmental, social and governance (ESG) targets. A combination of regulations and internal guidelines have resulted in industrial companies seeing cost savings and increased efficiency.

What does this mean for leaders?

Demand for technological leadership will certainly rise as automation is implemented across the industrial sphere. Automation giant, Siemens, recently introduced Industrial Operations X, an open and interoperable portfolio for automating and operating industrial production. A development which will see the business strengthen its technological leadership in automation and industrial software.

The role of leadership is changing in the age of automation. As more tasks and processes are automated, leaders need to adapt their skills and strategies to ensure that their organisations remain competitive and effective.

We are already seeing a shift from a focus on technical expertise to a focus on soft skills and emotional intelligence. As automation increasingly handles more technical and routine tasks, the value of human skills such as creativity, problem-solving and empathy is increasing – skills machines find it difficult to replicate.

As the demand for industrial and manufacturing automation continues to increase, organisations will require strong leaders to help integrate new technologies and navigate seismic change. This will require leaders to have well-tuned communication and collaboration skills, as well as the ability to inspire teams facing change and uncertainty.

Conclusion

It goes without saying that leaders across the industrial and manufacturing sector who are technical experts in their respective industry, can and want to embrace automation and have the soft skills to successfully manage and promote the change that automation brings, will have the largest impact.

These leaders will also have the largest impact on bringing about environmental change across the industrial and manufacturing landscape. Automation can certainly accelerate the move towards a greener, more sustainable future in the sector and leaders who can enable industrial automation will be integral to its success.

Alex Catana is a Consultant in Beaumont Bailey’s Industrial practice. If you would like to discuss anything raised in this article or any of your leadership hiring needs, then please email Alex : alex.catana@beaumontbailey.com