Digital transformation, inclusion and innovation in manufacturing

Overview

The growth of digital solutions in manufacturing offers exciting opportunities for organisations willing to embrace change. New technology has the capacity to empower employees, driving productivity and innovation, while diversifying the talent pool to expand workforce inclusivity. Digital transformation provides a wealth of opportunities for all workers, but especially for traditionally excluded groups such as those managing disabilities or long-term health conditions.

We hear a lot about ‘good’ or ‘best’ practice, but what does ‘good’ look like when we consider the implementation of inclusive technologies and workplace innovation, and how can manufacturing stakeholders align digital investments with innovative approaches to managing people?

What will this webinar cover?

This webinar brings together researchers from the Made Smarter Innovation funded, UKRI: Economic and Social Research Council-led ‘InterAct Network’ and the expert technologists of augmented reality software providers LightGuide, to share insights on the challenges, and opportunities, when introducing workforces to new technology.

We will invite manufacturing leaders and stakeholders to share their insights and learn from the experience of those in both the US and UK as to how we can harness new technologies to drive both inclusion and innovation in manufacturing

The webinar will also involve examples of innovative practice shared by LightGuide, a leading projected AR work instruction software provider offering inclusive workplace solutions that transform manual processes by projecting digital step-by-step AR work instructions onto an employee’s work surface, standardizing and error proofing the work. Coupled with 3D sensors and vision cameras, the system prevents and detects errors in real-time while capturing data and insights on your operator’s performance and quality.

Speakers

Marc Baines, Managing Director – EMEA at LightGuide

Marc will showcase disability inclusion in manufacturing though the work they have done with Mariasteen, a Belgian manufacturer that employs more than 700 individuals with disabilities. This group is leading the way in demonstrating the power of disability inclusion in the workplace. The company is a founding member of Licktwerk (translated from Dutch to Lightwork), a collaborative effort focused on using technology to make difficult work more accessible.

Professor Colin Lindsay - Strathclyde Business School and InterAct

Colin will share new insights based on findings from two research projects with manufacturing leaders and employees. The research demonstrates the added value for businesses where manufacturers have effectively aligned digital transformation investments with work reorganisation designed to tap the innovative potential of employees.

Dr Marisa Smith - Strathclyde Business School and InterAct

Marisa will explore insights based on recent work with manufacturers on how the use of digital tools can enable a more inclusive workforce in manufacturing.

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