One of the most important aspects of any manufacturing company is labor productivity. Whether you are considering hiring new employees or looking for ways to improve your current workforce, you must know how to make them more productive in the workplace. The following seven tips will help you do just that.
1. Use technology to reduce labor needs
One of the primary things that you can do to increase labor productivity in manufacturing is to use technology such as robotics and 3D printers to minimize labor needs. In this case, you can even consider the use of industrial robots to help automate some of the manual tasks done on the manufacturing floor. In this way, you can not only increase labor productivity but help improve a company’s bottom line as well.
You can also use technology like email alerts and pagers when assigning tasks so that work can be done at a time convenient for the worker without supervision. In this way, they can accomplish more in a shorter amount of time while at the same time allowing them to have some control over their schedules. This will make your employees more efficient and reliable in the workplace.
2. Work in teams instead of alone
Another way to boost manufacturing labor productivity is through the use of a team-based work environment where employees are encouraged to communicate and cooperate. In this case, you may want to consider implementing peer reviews for better product quality and efficiency. This can also help improve overall morale in the workplace which leads to increased production levels as well.
Otherwise, you can try rotating tasks every so often to allow employees to become more versatile in their work. This can have a positive effect on morale as well because it allows them the opportunity of being able to try new things and learn something about different aspects of manufacturing. A buddy system can also be implemented to ensure that employees have someone else to turn to if they are experiencing difficulties.
3. Increase line speeds when possible
When you are considering ways to increase labor productivity, think about working on increasing your company’s output by speeding up processing times for each product made. It may be a good idea to start with the slowest process first to ensure that you are ready. If your line speeds can handle it, consider increasing production by 20 percent more, making sure employees have adequate training beforehand.
4. Improve workstation layout
Another thing that you want to do is improve working conditions for each employee on the factory floor. This includes adjusting workstation layouts to ensure that employees are not standing or sitting in awkward positions for prolonged periods, which can reduce concentration levels and fatigue throughout a shift. An improved workstation layout will also help make the production process more efficient.
5. Provide employee training to enhance their skills
Along with improving each worker’s station, another thing that you can do to increase labor productivity is to improve their skill level in different areas of manufacturing. This will allow employees to be more productive while also helping them feel like they are valued team members within your organization, which leads to lower turnover rates. As a result, you can save a lot of time and money on training new staff instead.
6. Offer flexible hours
When you do offer flexible hours in your company, it will provide everyone the opportunity to work when they are most productive. This can help boost labor productivity by not forcing employees to work at certain hours where they are most fatigued. However, this entails the need for you to schedule your production around the needs of your workforce.
Provide incentives for good performance as well
Another way that you can increase employee output is through offering incentives or bonuses for excellent job performance which will encourage them to continue their high level of work ethic throughout the year, helping your company achieve its goals. This is a good way to show employees that you care about their work performance and are willing to reward them for it with extra pay, which will help improve morale within the workforce as well. Some of the incentives that you can offer include bonuses, paid time off, and flexible working hours.
Hire more workers to meet demand
There is also the option for you to hire more people to meet the demand for your products. This may be a good option if you are trying to keep up with the productivity of competitors or have extremely high production levels that need constant staffing all year round. Make sure you hire employees who are committed and able to work hard before making any hires so as not to disrupt company output at least until your company stabilizes with the new hires.
7. Implement a quality control process
Another one of the best steps that you can take to increase labor productivity in manufacturing is by implementing stringent quality control standards throughout your organization. This will not only help improve overall product output but ensure customers are receiving products they paid for and thus prevent costly returns or refunds later on down the line. You can do this by providing regular feedback to employees, holding meetings with them regularly, and even offering incentives for meeting quality control standards.
Check for waste in the production process
Conduct regular audits within your company’s manufacturing processes. This may entail things like checking inventory levels, looking at work orders that need to be completed, or even reviewing line layouts with employees present. By doing this, you can make sure that your company’s labor productivity is as optimized as possible and identify areas where work might be done more efficiently.
The world is changing, and so are the demands on businesses. Manufacturing companies need to start thinking about how they can better use their resources in a way that will keep them competitive for years to come. However, with so many ways to increase productivity, it can be tough to know where to start. Nevertheless, the more you understand about your employees and what motivates them, the better equipped you will be in creating a workplace that is conducive for both your manufacturing company’s growth and employee happiness.