Ally Shoring: Moment Is Now for Advanced Manufacturing, Talent

For many months now, we have heard about nearshoring. A unique opportunity to take advantage  of specific investments in the relocation of manufacturing hubs originally located in other parts of  the world, mainly from Asia to places closer to markets with the highest demand. This concept has evolved into a more complete scope: ally-shoring. When we talk about nearshoring, we  limit the benefits to a term strictly focused on the convenience of proximity, of logistics, which yes, undoubtedly plays a relevant role today with all the unpredictability of the  supply chain that we have experienced, especially manufacturers of electronic products, but the  benefit of this proximity is not the only thing that matters. We have seen that there are other vitally relevant factors in this equation, where companies not only seek proximity but also protection for their intellectual property, cost efficiencies, specialization, and greater cultural  alignment, especially in the way of doing business.  

Mexico undoubtedly complies with all the above and that is where today, we play a very relevant  part, where many companies recognize Mexico as an optimal destination for these relocations and key  investments in manufacturing. It’s important to understand our role as part of North America, a region that has once again understood the brutal relevance of consolidating itself as the  largest industrial hub in the world.  

The most important factor is that ally-shoring is already happening. In recent months, I have  traveled extensively throughout the country and have had the opportunity to speak with leaders of many companies in the country’s most important manufacturing industries: automotive,  consumer goods, food and beverages, pharmaceuticals, mining, metals, cement, oil and gas,  as well as other matter-related leaders. I see three large areas of opportunity where we must continue to focus to capitalize on this moment faster: infrastructure, talent, and enablement of advanced manufacturing best practices.  

Many companies have announced significant investments to increase their production capacities. At Rockwell Automation, we have more than 4,000 people, with three manufacturing plants operating in Mexico, where we have made investments to increase our production volumes in  accordance with the growing demand that we see in various industries throughout the Americas. 

With these expansions comes a transition to advanced manufacturing best practices that allow  us to make factories more productive, faster, more efficient, and more sustainable.  

Technology is a key enabler in helping industry realize the returns on these investments in a faster and unquestionable way. 

Today, technologies like advanced simulation (AS) in 3D allow us to simulate a process or  a complete production line before it is implemented. Making design adjustments on a  prototype (instead of on the physical line) facilitates a significant reduction in costs and time.  Another is the digital twin, which allows us to recreate a machine, and work with it in augmented  reality (AR), for example, to train operators anywhere and at any time, in a safer environment, concentrating information from all key devices and then contextualizing that information in a data center or in the  cloud to produce energy consumption, emissions, and waste analytics that facilitate decision-making to reduce carbon footprint, obtain savings in energy consumption process and increase sustainability.  

It may sound incredible but best of all, these technologies are available in Mexico today and are  already used by many of our clients in different sectors. 

But, as we know, the main factor in any digital transformation effort is people, above all else.  Enabling the talent that is going to design, operate, and maintain these plants is also a key factor  to ensure that this growth in the country's productive capacity goes hand in hand with the  production of trained talent. The most important educational centers in the country must not only produce qualified engineers but also specialized engineers in this series of technologies that are  already shaping the manufacturing of the future. 

Companies like Rockwell Automation help by creating talent development plans in conjunction  with associations, government chambers, and universities, with the aim of identifying the potential of young Mexicans who can undoubtedly be part of this great industry. 

So, as you might be thinking, yes, there is much to do, and we should remember that the time is  now. 

About Rockwell Automation  

Rockwell Automation, Inc. (NYSE: ROK), is a global leader in industrial automation and digital  transformation. We connect the imaginations of people with the potential of technology to  expand what is humanly possible, making the world more productive and sustainable.  Headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, Rockwell Automation employs approximately 28,000  problem solvers dedicated to our customers in more than 100 countries. To learn more about  how we are bringing The Connected Enterprise to life across industrial enterprises, visit:  www.rockwellautomation.com