Manufacturers must understand how to properly appply industrial automation if they want to remain profitable and competitive. Industrial automation investment decisions require an understanding of possibilities coupled with clear technical and business criteria to be successful. The good news is there are a wide range of new manufacturing solutions; the challenge lies in understanding what is available and determining the best automation investments for your manufacturing organization. Manufacturers need to maintain a steady flow of creative imputs from outside their organizations. Vendor independent tradeshows are an efficient way to learn and understand new opportunities. For example, the upcoming Automate Expo provides an opportunity to learn and to help evaluate different options.
The importance of continuous learning in manufacturing
"Give me six hours to chop down a tree, and I will spend the first four sharpening the axe," said Abraham Lincoln, 16th President of the United States. His quote has been used as an analogy urging people to increase their knowledge and learn new things to be more effective and productive. Today, more than ever, manufacturing professionals need to keep up to date understanding the latest automation technologies, techniques and solutions that can be used in their operations to increase productivity and quality. Staying competitive requires manufacturing companies to understand and apply developments in the rich and exciting ever-changing technology landscape. Manufacturing professionals who keep up-to-date and understand the latest automation technologies, techniques and solutions are important contributors to the competitiveness and overall success of manufacturing companies.
Automate Show: June 22-25, 2026, in Chicago
Successful manufacturing companies understand the importance of their people attending industry trade events and symposiums to facilitate learning about the latest manufacturing and industrial automation concepts, techniques and products available. The Automate Show, held June 22-25, 2026, in Chicago, provides an opportunity to learn about the latest robotics and automation products with more than 1,000 exhibitors and 50,000+ registrants. Show registration is free. The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) sponsors the event.
I had a discussion with Alex Shikany, executive vice president, who oversees key operations and strategic initiatives. The A3 group industry association also is an advocate for United States government policies and programs to strengthen and grow United States manufacturing. Shikany noted, “Any serious conversation about a U.S. industrial renaissance has to include automation at the center of it. If we want to make more things here, strengthen supply chains and compete globally, manufacturers need the tools to be more productive, more flexible and more resilient.” He emphasized that the Automate show and conference brings the technologies, companies and expertise together in one place so manufacturers can see what is possible and start turning those ideas into action.
We also discussed the availability of automation technologies for small and medium-sized manufacturers (SMEs) to become more competitive. He noted, “For small and medium-sized manufacturers, automation is not some far-off concept reserved for the largest companies anymore.”
The importance of team learning
Companies should strongly consider having a cross functional team from attend events such as Automate that yields important benefits, including greater knowledge of the latest manufacturing concepts, methods and automation technology. The team can talk directly to subject matter experts about manufacturing challenges and learn how to overcome these obstacles with new methods to improve production. Sending a cross-functional team, with different perspectives fosters collaborative thinking combined with information that provides new possibilities to improve operations.
Pre event planning
Before attending the event, it is very productive for the team to discuss and create a list of various manufacturing and production challenges and use the Automate show website to plan visits with appropriate exhibitors to have face-to-face discussions with subject matter experts at Automate 2026.
