New Industry 4.0 program for West Michigan manufacturers

The Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center – West (The Center-West), Feyen Zylstra, and DISHER recently announced the formation of a new Preferred Smart Manufacturing Partnership program for West Michigan manufacturers. The program is designed to guide manufacturers through creating sustainable change as they learn about and implement Industry 4.0 technology in their business.

The Preferred Smart Manufacturing Partnership program is built on a systematic approach that acknowledges a manufacturers current state, desired future state, and the steps need to bridge the gap. The program builds on each organization’s strengths in manufacturing operational excellence, engineering know-how, and advanced manufacturing technology integration.

“While Industry 4.0 and IIoT are widely-accepted concepts on the plant floor, many manufacturers have yet to understand and harness the benefits and competitive advantage that they provide. By partnering with the Right Place and The Center-West on the Preferred Smart Manufacturing Partner Program, we've accelerated access to digital transformation and smart manufacturing technologies for manufacturers across West Michigan,” said Ryan Cahalane, President of Industrial Technology, Feyen Zylstra.

This Partnership provides a system-wide approach to improvement and adoption of proven manufacturing principals and implementation of the correct industry 4.0 technologies to advance a company’s vision. The program delivers transformation as a service that allows manufacturers to become more efficient and better able to respond increasing international competition.

“DISHER has had the privilege of coming alongside numerous clients of The Center-West on a variety of projects over the years, and we’re looking forward to acting as a Smart Manufacturing Partner where we can leverage our Industry 4.0 Engineering experience and industry partnerships,” said Kevin Pinner. “Given West Michigan's strong manufacturing presence, there is great potential for productivity and quality gains with smaller to mid-sized companies through applying facets of Industry 4.0 to their operations.”

By engaging the Center-West and our Preferred Smart Manufacturing Partners, and using the free Industry 4.0 Assessment, a manufacturer will be able to:

• Understand their current state
• Understand the steps needed to sustainably introduce Industry 4.0 technologies to their best benefit
• See a potential Return on Investment this transformational change can provide
• Develop a timeline for the implementation of the best served technologies for their business.
• Have the services of our implementation team to guide their transformation into a better, more competitive business.

In the future, West Michigan companies need to be stronger, even more globally relevant/competitive, and profitable. Simultaneously, manufacturers must address workforce shortages, talent skill gaps, and the image problem that has long driven capable individuals away from a career in manufacturing.