Automation creating, not stealing, jobs in US

The Association for Advancing Automation (A3) has expressed disappointment in 60 Minutes’ portrayal of the automation industry in a segment entitled ‘March of the Machines’ in the United States.

“While the 60 Minutes’ depiction of how technological advances in automation and robotics are revolutionising the workplace was spot on, their focus on how implementation of these automation technologies eliminates jobs could not be more wrong,” said Jeff Burnstein, President of A3, a trade group representing 650 companies from 32 countries involved in robotics, vision and motion-control technologies.

“We provided 60 Minutes producers several examples of innovative American companies who have used automation to become stronger global competitors, saving and creating more jobs while producing higher-quality and lower-cost products, rather than closing up shop or sending jobs overseas.

“They unfortunately chose not to include these companies in their segment. With respect to MIT Professors Brynjolfsson and McAfee who gave their viewpoint in the piece, they are missing the bigger picture.”

A3 is urging people to attend Automate 2013 to see the real story in action. The industry’s premier trade show will be held in Chicago from 21 to 24 January.

“To paint advances in technology as just taking jobs is very one sided,” said Dr Henrik Christensen, KUKA Chair of Robotics and Director of Robotics, Georgia Institute of Technology.

“Studies have shown that 1.3 better, higher-paying jobs are created in associated areas for every one job that may be insourced. In fact, the larger issue is companies are having trouble finding qualified employees to fill these high-tech job openings. We instead should focus on how best to educate our workforce in the United States so that we can remain the leader in automation technologies.”

Drew Greenblatt, President and owner of Marlin Steel, said automation has made the company more productive and therefore price competitive with China. “Our quality is consistent and superior, and we ship much faster,” Greenblatt said.

“Our mechanical engineers can design material handling baskets more creatively since we can make more precise parts. Our employees have gone 1492 days without a safety incident because robots can do the more difficult jobs while our employees can focus on growing the business. American manufacturing’s embrace of robotics will ensure a new manufacturing renaissance in this country.”

“Roughly 90% of our automated cells are producing parts that were previously made offshore while the other 10% were also globally competitive, strictly due to automation,” added Matt Tyler, President and CEO of Vickers Engineering.

“Automation has not only allowed us to bring more jobs back to the United States due to our ‘new’ cost structure, but our profit margin has increased. This ultimately allows us to fund additional growth, which in turn creates more stateside jobs.”

A3 is the umbrella group for Robotic Industries Association, AIA - Advancing Vision + Imaging and Motion Control Association (MCA).