It sounds like something out of a late-night sci-fi TV show: robots are taking over! But, to a certain extent, it’s true—in manufacturing.

According to research published in Industrial Robotics—Global Market Outlook, the industrial robotics market was $35.59 billion in 2017, but is expected to rapidly grow to $97.41 billion by 2026, increasing at a CAGR of 11.8 percent during this period of time. There are a few factors driving this: there’s a constant need to reduce production costs to remain competitive among manufacturers; lower-cost industrial robots are beginning to crop up in the marketplace; and developing countries are shifting from manual labor to automation.

While costs for robotics are currently prohibitive for a number of small manufacturers, the report sees growth among articulated robotics, which can be used for assembly. These robotic arms use rotary joints to consistently replicate assembly movements, resulting in better production speed and accuracy. In addition, the report predicts a substantial increase in the use of lightweight industrial robots in the automotive industry and among small scale manufacturers.

Summertime evokes lots of visuals: pies cooling on a windowsill; the family gathered round the kitchen making side dishes for that backyard barbeque; kids on a school break raiding the fridge before dashing back outdoors to play. And would any of that be possible without Designetics?

It might sound like hyperbole, but Designetics—the worldwide leader in fluid applications systems and solutions—provides applicators and systems to manufacturers of a wide variety of kitchen appliances.

Each month, we sit down with a Designetics innovator to talk about his or her career, what makes fluid applications systems at Designetics special, and topics relevant to the fluid applications industry. This month: Production Supervisor Tammy Long.

According to a special report developed by IndustryWeek called “The Future of Manufacturing: 2020 and Beyond,” a large number of manufacturers expect significant growth in the coming years. In fact, nine out of ten manufacturers polled expect revenues to grow and more than half expect their revenues to grow five percent or more per year over a five-year period.

Despite this growth prediction, manufacturers will have to navigate a number of pressing issues. For example, manufacturers surveyed for the report mention market volatility as a major factor in growth uncertainty; they just don’t know where markets are going, to gauge future success. In addition, survey respondents cited material and labor costs and price reduction requirements as major factors impacting future success. And, all respondents think improving performance and production processes are key. In fact, the number one operational challenge cited was improving internal production processes.

It’s not enough to be the leader in fluid application systems and solutions; we focus on being a leader in employee engagement and benefits too.

We believe treating employees right—with integrity, honesty and compassion—is just part of the equation. There’s also a component of career advancement to consider. So, we actively encourage promotion from within, giving employees the opportunity to use job training as a career path. We also develop a host of lunch-and-learn and internal seminar opportunities, aimed at offering employee’s new ways of thinking and learning about the industry, as well as topics covering personal enrichment.