Press Releases

SME, MSC Industrial Supply partner to close gap on ‘digital divide’ using metalworking solutions

April 24, 2023

Posted by: Shriya Raban

SME and MSC Industrial Supply Co., both are provider of the manufacturing space, are teaming up to showcase solutions that address some of the challenges facing the industry. Attendees at the digital solution showcase at EASTEC Manufacturing Technology Series event in West Springfield, Massachusetts May 16-18, will have the opportunity to learn more about the collaboration and get an insight into the latest technology that is transforming the industry.

According to Jamie Goettler, senior director, metal working sales and innovation at MSC, technology is a drivers for machining business’s profitability and growth. The pace of today’s hi-tech landscape can make technology adoption daunting, however, with a trusted partner, companies can position themselves to reap significant rewards.

Enter MSC’s metalworking changes, an assortment of solutions designed to help customers achieve their manufacturing goals, whether that is increasing productivity, reducing costs, or improving quality. At the Digital Solution Showcase, visitors can expect to see some of the most solutions in the industry, including TechMate, MachineMax Pro, MSC MillMax, and the Accupro ST Series. The centerpiece of the showcase includes a sneak peek into MSC’s latest intelligent edge solution. The new technology offering a range of features and benefits that will help businesses and organisations improve their operational efficiency and improve their bottom line.

“When it comes to adopting technology, larger manufacturers have dedicated employees who seek out, pilot, evaluate, and create an ROI for deployment,” says Goettler. “Smaller manufacturers may need to look to an industry partner, which is that outreach mechanism, to help them find the right ways to become more profitable, productive and win more work.”

MSC, through its team of metalworking professionals, works to help its customers many of them small- to medium-size businesses improve their competitiveness on a global scale. Its goal is to assist them in growing their business year-over-year and improving productivity by helping people and machinery work more efficiently.

“More than 90% of manufacturing done today in the U.S. and Canada is carried out by small- to medium-size manufacturers (SMMs),” says Bob Willig, executive director & CEO of SME. “Our recent SME-CESMII Smart Manufacturing Survey revealed that while almost two-thirds of respondents said their manufacturing operations are an integral component of their organisation’s digital supply chain strategy, only two-in-five respondents indicated that their organisation has dedicated headcount for smart manufacturing initiatives. Respondents from companies with only one manufacturing site are significantly more likely to indicate that their company’s manufacturing operations are not an integral part of their organisation’s digital supply chain.”

Willig said the MSC IoT (Internet of Things) device can help manufacturers of all sizes bridge this digital divide and gain a competitive edge in the marketplace, especially with the advent of reshoring and the opportunity to become more effective at increasing production despite not being able to source enough workers. The solution, which will be on display at EASTEC, can help manufacturers embrace digital transformation cost-effectively.

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