Kate Brown
Partner, Data & Analytics

What’s Happening on Your Shop Floor?

Step into any metal forming shop and you’ll see change everywhere: robots working alongside welders, dashboards tracking output, and data driving decisions. This momentum is reshaping operations to be smarter, faster and more connected.

Here are some of the biggest impacts:

• Smarter machines, smarter results

Fabrication is moving beyond automation to true intelligence. Sensors, robotics and analytics now operate in concert, closing the loop between detection and correction. Early adopters already have seen big gains in uptime and throughput.

• Automation where it counts

Robotics now takes on the dull, dirty and dangerous jobs that inhibit productivity. Cobots and artificial-intelligence (AI)-driven vision systems make automation flexible for high-mix low-volume work. Even smaller shops are starting small by automating repetitive tasks and scaling as ROI proves out.

• Why resilience starts with sustainability

Supply-chain shocks have taught us one thing: Resiliency matters. Forward-thinking fabricators diversify their markets, optimize material use, and adopt closed-loop recycling to cut costs and environmental impact. Sustainability isn’t just compliance—it’s a competitive edge.

• Turn your data into a game-changer

Connected systems turn data into a strategic asset. Real-time visibility and predictive analytics help prevent downtime, improve costing and boost responsiveness. The payoff? Fewer surprises and faster decisions.

• Your people make technology work

Technology doesn’t transform a shop—people do. Leading manufacturers invest in training and change management, using tools like digital twins and AI copilots to build confidence and capability. When teams see how technology eliminates repetitive work, they become champions of change.

• Ready to put AI to work?

Every successful transformation starts with strategy. Ask: What problems can AI solve? Where will data have the biggest impact? Start small, scale fast and align technology with business goals. Invest in people as much as systems to turn innovation into lasting value.

Looking Ahead
Digital transformation in metal forming will be a long-term evolution. From automation to AI, every advancement moves manufacturers closer to operations that function quickly and intelligently, while becoming more resilient.