Unlocking Data-Driven Manufacturing’s Power

The challenge of decoding and using data to drive strategic outcomes and unlock value 

TAKEAWAYS:
● Data has the power to optimize and scale manufacturing operations, enable the workforce, and boost performance.
● Manufacturers have struggled to build a business model that captures data’s value and seamlessly integrates data into day-to-day functions.
● Organizations that empower workers to be part of their data transformation strategy can gain a competitive edge. 

Effective use of data is increasingly important for manufacturing organizations. The EY CEO Imperative Survey revealed 70% of manufacturing sector respondents see digital innovation as a transformation driver for their companies.¹ However, few manufacturers have been able to successfully navigate this complicated domain. Many continue to struggle with connecting equipment, systems and factories. Others collect data lakes that require extensive effort to extract meaningful insights. Ongoing growth through acquisition has exacerbated the opportunity as global organizations often acquire companies at different stages of technological development. With disparate machines, systems, siloed architectures and data models, time is spent trying to capture and make sense of data rather than taking actions that drive business needs.

The need to effectively use data has never been greater – or more urgent. Ongoing global disruptions are driving more on-shoring and near-shoring of manufacturing in markets with higher-cost labor, which demand more productivity. At the same time, changing customer expectations and unreliable material sources are intensifying the need for agility. These challenges are compounded by ongoing labor and skills shortages that highlight the need to utilize, attract and retain talent by creating more engaging and impactful worker experiences.

Today’s market requires a data-driven manufacturing approach. The focus is on capturing the right data, modeling it for effective insights, and empowering workers with the information they need to optimize day-to-day operations. Additional priorities include, upskilling personnel, and enhancing work processes in ways that strengthen performance and boost value.

Robert Calloway: Americas Manufacturing and Mobility Technology Leader, EY
Robert Calloway brings 33 years of experience to help organizations develop and execute digital transformation journeys that leverage data and technology to both optimize business operations and create value and growth.

Zakir Hussain: Partner, Americas Data Leader, EY
Zakir Hussain leads a best-in-industry team to deliver technology implementations for his clients across sectors. For more than two decades, Zakir’s clients have benefited from his team’s experience and expertise in technology and data modernizations – uniquely positioning each to advance and accelerate their growth initiatives.

Greg Wagner: Data-Driven Manufacturing Solution Leader, EY
Greg Wagner is a transformation leader at EY who specializes in implementing data-driven manufacturing capabilities with clients. He possesses a background in Lean Six Sigma and quality, asset reliability and integrity, operational risk management and digital manufacturing. Wagner has more than twenty years of consulting and industry experience working in leadership, operations and technical functions within the chemicals, oil and gas and specialty manufacturing industries.