In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and shifting global dynamics, manufacturers are standing at the precipice of Industry 5.0. In this second part of a two-part series with Stephen Graham, executive vice president of Hexagon Nexus, Machine Design learns about the key challenges and anticipated developments in this new manufacturing landscape.
Graham noted that today’s factories must adapt to an increasingly unpredictable geopolitical landscape, with manufacturers required to respond rapidly to changing supply chains and customer demands for more adaptable products. He said the stakes are high, as organizations are not competing for market share but also being called to come up with solutions for broader sustainability issues.
As the transition to Industry 5.0 unfolds, Graham says he is optimistic about the potential developments that might arise, such as the decentralization of manufacturing, giving rise to smaller, localized factories—“pop-up factories.” Such agile setups can not only shorten supply chains but also improve sustainability efforts. He did caution about overgeneralizing this trend, though, as larger OEMs needs are different, especially when dealing with complex products like jet engines that demand extensive resources and precision. The future of manufacturing is about collaboration, innovation and returning to a fundamental human focus, Graham said.
WATCH: Part 1: How Hexagon Nexus Is Navigating the Shift to Industry 5.0
