May 2019

| Editor’S coMMEnt | Busting digital myths R unning under the lead theme of “Industrial Intelligence”, this year’s Hannover Messe shone a spotlight on digital connectivity, particularly as it applies to connecting people and machines in an age of artificial intelligence. The new Future of Work in Industry Conference at the event brought together some 300 experts, thought leaders and industry executives to discuss the impact of digitalisation on skill sets and work management. The forward march of digitalisation is having a major impact on skill sets and work management, creating a new set of challenges across the globe. Within the context of Industry 4.0, the intelligent use of IT systems and communication networks is greatly increasing the level of productivity and flexibility in production. But to date the focus has been more on the interconnectivity of plant and machines with minimal attention paid to the employees involved. However it is necessary to also focus on the human being within the context of this scenario. Hannover’s the Future of Work in Industry Conference highlighted these challenges. The Conference was kicked off by the philosopher and writer Richard David Precht, who delivered a keynote speech on “The Digital Revolution: Why Redecorating the Deck Chairs on the Titanic Isn’t Enough”. His talk highlighted whether the end of the “achievement-oriented society” brought about by digitalisation is necessarily a bad thing. In his eyes, digitalisation means above all the opportunity to live a more fulfilling, self-determined life. At the same time, he warned that a clear strategy must be developed to accomplish this. Picking up on these ideas, the Conference continued with three central thematic strands of leadership, skills and tools, emphasising the expertise and skill sets required to make companies and their employees future-proof, including better communication. For hourly and salaried employees, change is often associated with uncertainty and anxiety – making it all the more important to take them along the path of change and get them involved. This means manufacturers need to bust the myth that digitalisation necessarily means job cuts and highlight how the digital transformation will, more often than not, actually create jobs and lead to re- skilling and better paid and rewarding roles for employees. Engaging far more effectively with the workforce about the numerous opportunities that digitalisation offers and taking them on the journey too, will make the transformation easier as well as enhancing productivity. The Hannover Messe Conference started this important discussion, but this now needs to feed into more mainstream thinking among manufacturers and Government. www.smartmachinesandfactories.com May 2019 | 0 1 | Editor Aaron Blutstein e: aaron@dfamedia.co.uk Contributing Editor Tony Sacks Sales Manager Stuart Humphrey stuart.humphrey@dfamedia.co.uk Production Manager Chris Davis e: chris.davis@dfamedia.co.uk DFA Direct Ian Atkinson e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Operations Manager Ewa Hodden e: ewa.hodden@dfamedia.co.uk Operations Administrator Emma Floyd e: emma.floyd@dfamedia.co.uk Eastern USA Sales Karen C Smith-Kernc t: +1 717 397 7100 – f: +1 717 397 7800 e: KarenKCS@aol.com Western USA and Canada Sales Alan A Kernc t: +1 717 397 7100 – f: +1 717 397 7800 e: AlanKCS@aol.com German Sales Office Victoria Hufmann t: +49 (0) 911 939 76442 e: victoria@hufmann.info Commercial Director Ryan Fuller e: ryan.fuller@dfamedia.co.uk Publishing Director Ian Atkinson e: ian.atkinson@dfamedia.co.uk Official Media Partners of: www.primaryengineer.com www.profibus.com Head Office: DFA Media Limited, 192 High Street, Tonbridge, Kent TN9 1BE UK t: +44 (0) 1732 370340 f: +44 (0) 1732 360034e| info@dfamedia.co.uk Printer: Warners Midlands PLC, UK © Copyright 2019, DFA Media Ltd ISSN 2516-8770 Smart Machines & Factories is a controlled circulation magazine, published 6 times a year. Please contact DFA Media with any subscription enquiries. Paid subscriptions are also available on an annual basis at £90.00 (UK), £120.00 (Europe) or £150.00 (Rest of the World) P+P included. The content of this magazine, website and newsletters do not necessarily express the views of the Editor or publishers. The publishers accept no legal responsibility for loss arising from information in this publication. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be produced or stored in a retrieval system without the written consent of the publishers. Editor Smart Machines & Factories