The Labor Crisis in Manufacturing
In August, the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics reported roughly 467,000 unfilled manufacturing job openings nationwide.
At the same time, the retirement wave of the Baby Boomer generation is accelerating. About 10,000 Baby Boomers turn 65 every day in the U.S., creating an exodus of experienced workers.
For manufacturers, the message is clear: if you can’t find the workforce, you risk stalled lines, disrupted output, and lost revenue. That’s where automation becomes not just a competitive advantage – but a strategic imperative.
Why Automation Is No Longer Optional
With skilled-labor gaps deepening and experienced workers retiring, placing your bet solely on hiring is risky. Indeed, 65 % of manufacturers surveyed said “attracting and retaining talent” is their number one business challenge.
When production lines depend on manual labor, even a small staffing shortage can translate into:
- Delayed shipments
- Reduced throughput
- Increased overtime and turnover costs
And ultimately…
- Lost sales and margin compression
Automation offers a different path: consistent performance, lower dependency on specialized human labor, and the flexibility to scale up (or down) without rebuilding your workforce each time.
How Arnold Automation Helps You Bridge the Gap
Arnold Automation brings automation expertise tailored for the packaging and warehouse environment. Here’s how we help you turn the labor challenge into an operational opportunity:
- Turnkey Integration of Packaging Automation
We design and implement end-to-end automation solutions – from case erectors and sealers to robotic palletizing, conveyor systems, print-and-apply labelling, and full end-of-line suites. This reduces your dependency on manual operators and helps standardize throughput and quality. - Vendor-Neutral Equipment Selection
Rather than being locked into one brand, Arnold evaluates your operation’s specific needs (footprint, SKUs, fluctuation, labor reality) and selects the best equipment fit. This ensures your automation investment is optimized for your labor-supply reality. - Modular and Scalable Solutions
With labor uncertainty, you want solutions that adapt. Arnold’s automation platforms are designed to scale: you can automate a single critical bottleneck today and add modules later as your needs grow. - Labor-Light Workflow Designs
By automating labor-intensive tasks such as product spacing, case forming, palletizing, labelling, and sorting, your staffing model shifts: fewer manual tasks, and more oversight, maintenance, and optimization roles rather than head-count heavy lines. - Service & Maintenance Support
Arnold’s service and repair team ensures your automation system doesn’t sit idle waiting for rare expert technicians. Reducing downtime keeps your line running even when staffing is thin.
Real-World Impact
When you reduce reliance on manual labor by automating key components of your packaging line, you gain:
- Higher consistency and fewer quality defects
- Reduced overtime and training costs
- Improved throughput and predictable scheduling
- The ability to scale production even with tight labor markets
In essence, automation becomes your “labor hedge” – protecting output and profitability when staffing becomes your bottleneck.
What to Do Next
If labor shortages are already forcing overtime, delays, or capacity constraints in your facility, it’s time to act. Arnold Automation can help by:
- Performing an audit of your current packaging line, labor usage, and bottlenecks
- Tailoring an automation roadmap that aligns with your workforce and growth projections
- Deploying modules of automation with minimal interruption – so you see ROI quickly
- Providing ongoing support to keep your line running at capacity, regardless of labor fluctuations
Ready to get started?
📞 Call Arnold Packaging today at 855-276-6537 or email info@arnoldpackaging.com.
Laura Cadden
Arnold Packaging
Protecting Your Product & Your Profit
