How to Minimize Downtime in your Manufacturing after COVID-19

COVID-19 pandemic has affected essentially every aspect of our lives. Its impact on the economy is unprecedented worldwide. Manufacturing has also taken a massive hit with factories shut down, the uncertain supply of materials, and inconsistent demand. About 80% of manufacturers expect that the pandemic will have a financial impact on their business, according to a recent survey of the National Association of Manufacturers (NAM). The post-COVID era is going to be different than what we’ve seen so far. It is important to be prepared for the circumstances that are about to arise in the near future. So, we will answer the important question of how to minimize downtime in your manufacturing after COVID-19.

Employee Safety

The pandemic has taught us that in a post-Covid era, safety has to be one of the major concerns for companies worldwide. Worker safety is going to be a very important factor to avoid downtime. Manufacturers should introduce immediate and contingent safety measures for their employees. They should also ascertain which functions can be carried out remotely if an outbreak were to occur within their ranks. Manufacturers should institute sanitation rules in the workplace. Instructing employees who are sick to stay home until they are better is another way to ensure safety.

Investing in Equipment

Manufacturers must create a working environment wherein they don’t have to completely rely on manual labor. So in case of a disruption in labor availability, the operation goes on. Investing in material handling equipment is one way to do that. A shift from manual labor to operator-based material handling equipment is the way ahead in a post-COVID era. Industrial manufacturers should invest in advanced material handling equipment that requires fewer operators. Equipment such as an articulating jib light takes the burden of the heavy lifting off employees. A single operator on that device can handle tons of material loads with ease. Additionally, evaluate automation options to reduce the number of workers on the factory floor.

Navigating the Business

Manufacturers have been facing a continued plunge in demand and revenues since the pandemic started. Good planning and action will ensure that downtime is minimized when they start operating normally after COVID-19. Manufacturers need to prepare for a prolonged recovery. There is the uncertainty of how the future pandemic will pan out and when containment will be achieved. Therefore, manufacturers should be ready for a trying period and plan for a recovery that may arrive after least a year, based on various predictions.

This includes assessing how profitability, loans, revolving credit, and cash flow reserves can support operations in a low-revenue environment, given the condition of current and forecasted cash operating expenses, taxes, and other cash expense items. It is important to adopt cost-cutting measures to keep the operation going in rough times like these.

Survival is a priority for many organizations in these trying times. By implementing efficient material handling practices, safety measures, employee training, and sound planning would help organizations survive in a post-Covid era.