Manufacturing has played a major role in the global economy for over a century at this point. The modern face of the manufacturing sector is quite different from what it was just a few decades ago, and this is mostly owed to the various new developments we’ve seen on the technological front in that time. At the moment, there is a strong push for automation, and many parts of the traditional manufacturing process are being improved from this perspective.

And for some industries, manufacturing remains a key process that has to be carefully observed and controlled. Here are some examples of industries where manufacturing plays a major role.

1.      Automotive

The automotive industry has always been a major adopter of new trends in manufacturing, and that situation hasn’t changed much today. The only difference is that auto plants are now much more advanced and, to some extent, autonomous. Human labor still plays a major role in the process though, especially in high-end vehicles where personalized orders are the norm. Still, a lot has been done over the last few decades to reduce the need for line operators and to shift the process towards a completely automated one, wherever possible.

The recent explosive growth of the electric and self-driving industries has pushed things even further in this direction, as these fields come with a significant attachment to current technological trends right from the start. With that in mind, it will be interesting to see how things continue over the next decade, and what the auto manufacturing industry looks like towards 2030.

2.      Electronic Devices

Consumer gadgets, and especially electronic devices, are a huge market right now. And their manufacturing process aligns perfectly with today’s trends in this sector. Factories for the production of smartphones, tablets, and other electronics can be surprisingly compact for their typical output volume. They also employ human workers quite heavily, but like many other industries, this sector has been trying to reduce the need for human operators as much as possible.

The recent global chip shortage has played a negative role in shaping that market, and the effects are already being felt all over the world. And while factories have continued to operate at full capacity wherever possible, it will still take a while for the situation to return to normal, pre-pandemic levels. Some companies have been utilizing this time to improve their manufacturing processes, with a long-term goal of becoming less reliable on third-party manufacturers where it makes sense.

3.      Pharmaceuticals

Another industry that’s received a lot of media attention in the last couple of years, the pharmaceuticals sector features some advanced manufacturing facilities that often integrate the latest and greatest in modern technology. A master’s in manufacturing engineering from a reputable institution like Kettering Global is the bare minimum to get your foot in the door in many of these places.

This makes sense, given the huge burden that lies on the shoulders of those manufacturers. The current situation is a good example of that, but things were already moving in that direction before the pandemic took over. Pharmaceutical manufacturing is one of the most advanced forms of modern manufacturing, and it will likely continue to be at the top of those charts for quite a while.

4.      Transportation

The transportation sector is another unsurprising entry in this list. From trains, to buses, trucks and other heavy vehicles for mass transit and cargo transportation, a lot of work goes into keeping things running smoothly on the roads. The level of control and precision involved in this sector can sometimes surpass that of most other forms of manufacturing, as the safety constraints tend to be much stricter.

This also makes sense, given the impact the products of this field have on the world as a whole. The recent global parts shortage has affected this sector as well, unfortunately, and there are some grim predictions about the coming months and even years on that front. Some plants are already facing difficulties procuring certain critical parts, and experts predict that things are going to keep moving in that direction for some time.

5.      Food

The food industry has been growing fast, and its manufacturing processes have been changing with a similar tempo. Many food production plants now operate with minimal interference from human operators, and this trend is heavily emphasized in all corners of the food industry. A lot of research is being conducted into making food production more efficient and environmentally friendly too.

This is especially true for industrial farming, which has started to face a lot of criticism over the last few years due to its impact on global warming. It’s clear at this point that refining manufacturing processes and focusing on greener approaches is going to play a crucial role in our survival going forward.

6.      Textile

Last but not least, the textile industry is another sector that’s been going through some interesting transformations lately. Textile production has traditionally relied on a lot of human labor, and that is one of the main points being addressed in the current market. Various factories have been integrating modern solutions that have made the process smoother and safer across the board. This is even true in developing countries, which have traditionally been slow to adopt the latest developments in safety practices. And it’s good to see this kind of transformation, because textile manufacturing has had a lot of issues in the past – some of which will likely remain for a while, even in the face of new manufacturing methods.

Those are just some examples. Manufacturing plays a major role in various other sectors, and it’s always interesting to follow the development of new technologies in this area and seeing their impact on the world at large. We’re in the position to see this more clearly than ever before, so if you’re interested in contributing to the development of modern manufacturing processes, definitely take a look around to see what’s available in terms of education and career prospects. You might be surprised!