Many workers in today’s world of constantly evolving technology worry that machines and automation will take the place of hardworking Americans. Some sense that their jobs are being taken by the very things they helped build

When viewing the state of affairs from the surface, it’s easy to wonder: “Are we gradually building our own demise?” The truth is that automated processes have been helping manufactureres build things with less labor since the industrial revolution. Repeatable processes have always been the first to go and now that we are competing on a global basis, the pressure on more simple processes is even greater. However, there is considerably more to this story.

Howard Michael, President and CEO of Toyoda Machinery, makes some interesting points in an article in Manufacturing Engineering. The first thing he notes is that there are far fewer talented workers who can take the place of the retiring baby boomers who have filled these more skilled positions for the past 30 years. Instead of allowing America’s great manufacturing reputation to retire along with them, which would put even more people out of work, companies are turning to automation and leveraging their knowledge in automated environments.

Many naysayers are also upset that the United States is importing machine tools from other countries, adding to foreign profit and taking production opportunities away from Americans who so badly need them. But as you probably know, it’s very difficult for the United States to compete with countries where the cost of labor is so inexpensive. Michael points out that our industries save a lot of money by buying less expensive tools overseas. And now that the dollar has depreciated, we are seeing strong export business driving growth in both sales and jobs for many manufacturers.

Automation is replacing lower value functions and creating fundamental business strength that will create higher value positions. These positions include everything from operators and cell controllers to manegerial positions sales people, shipping managers.

Everything comes full circle.

Just like our means of production are becoming more advanced, our employees are evolving too. America’s workforce is becoming more educated on the programming and software side of manufacturing, and there is a great need for this to grow.

Evolution is changing the dynamics of the manufacturing work force. As some positions are eliminated, others are created, but there is promise and there are industries such as medical, energy and aerospace that are growing jobs, profits and innovation that can keep American manufacturing strong.

For more insight on advancing technology’s effect on U.S. manufacturing jobs, check out Howard Michael’s viewpoint in Manufacturing Engineering.