One of the most common challenges we hear from business leaders today is, “We can’t find enough people to hire to support our growth.” This workforce shortage is a pressing issue across industries, and it’s forcing many organizations to reconsider their approach to scaling operations.
Interestingly, just 10-15 years ago, the conversation around automation was vastly different. When robots and automation began gaining traction in manufacturing, there was widespread concern that these technologies would displace a significant portion of the workforce, leading to skyrocketing unemployment. Leaders were cautious about how they communicated investments in automation and technology to avoid alarming their employees, fearing it would spark anxiety about job security.
Fast forward to the last five years, and the script has completely flipped. Now, the narrative has shifted from “automation will take away jobs” to “we need automation because we can’t find enough workers.” In many industries, particularly manufacturing, the labor shortage has made automation not just a desirable option, but a necessity for survival and growth.
While this may be an easy statement to make, the reality for many manufacturers—especially those in custom or low-volume/high-mix production—is that traditional automation solutions can feel out of reach. The cost, complexity, and scale of typical automation systems often make it difficult for these businesses to justify the investment. For organizations that rely on flexibility and adaptability in their production lines, conventional automation can seem too rigid, too expensive, or simply unsuited to their needs.
This is where Lean Partners steps in. Over the last 20+ years, our team has been at the forefront of applying Lean Automation principles to help businesses automate in a way that supports lean manufacturing. Instead of pursuing large-scale, high-cost automation that may not align with your specific production demands, we focus on developing the right level of automation—tailored to your business’s unique needs. Lean Automation prioritizes efficiency, flexibility, and scalability, ensuring that automation investments are practical, cost-effective, and directly tied to operational goals.
The Lean Automation approach is all about maximizing value while minimizing waste. By integrating automation into lean manufacturing processes, we help businesses optimize their workflows, reduce labor dependency, and increase productivity—all at a fraction of the cost of traditional automation systems. Our goal is to provide solutions that not only address immediate labor shortages but also support long-term growth and efficiency in a way that’s both sustainable and financially viable.
If your business is grappling with workforce shortages but struggling to find the right automation solutions that align with your production environment, we can help. At Lean Partners, we design automation systems that are tailored to your specific needs, whether you’re producing custom products, operating in a high-mix, low-volume setting, or simply looking for ways to make automation more accessible.
Contact us to learn more about how Lean Partners’ Lean Automation Design may help support your growth and business needs.