Illinois Manufacturers Plan Increased Investment in Automation In the Next 12 Months

SCHAUMBURG, IL - Two out of every three manufacturers in Illinois plan to increase investments in automation as soon as this year, according to a survey by the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA).

"Automation is already highly utilized in manufacturing, but in the coming years we will see even more improvements and advancements," said TMA President Steve Rauschenberger. "This will actually increase jobs in high-tech manufacturing."

66% of the small- and mid-size manufacturers surveyed said they will invest more in automation over the upcoming year, 21% were undecided and just 13% said they would not expand automation.

"This increase in automation is exactly why we need to prepare the next generation of the skilled manufacturing professionals," TMA's Vice President of Training & Education Patrick Osborne said. "Programs like TMA's BeNext, prepares high school students for the hi-tech automation that will drive the industry in the future."

This and other TMA surveys can be found at TMANews.com.

About TMA: Founded in 1925, the Technology & Manufacturing Association (TMA) represents and supports manufacturers in the Chicago metropolitan area and surrounding counties in northern Illinois, northern Indiana, and southern Wisconsin. TMA has almost 1,000 members and represents over 32,000 employees and nearly 26M square feet of manufacturing in Illinois.