Manufacturing has seen significant significant shifts in techology and skill needs in recent years. Pamela Kan, president of Bishop-Wisecarver Group, a manufacturer of linear and rotary motion products, spoke with Associate Editor Jenel Stelton-Holtmeier about what those shifts mean for the industry and what manufacturers and distributors need to do to respond.

MDM: There have been some big advances in manufacturing technology in recent years. How is this changing the industry?

Pamela Kan: We’re in a time and place where I think we’re going to see more rapid expansion of technology. I don’t even know if we can even think about the total impact just yet. From the things that are happening with materials and coatings and nano and additive manufacturing ... And when you add pure technology layers like augmented reality, it’s huge. Everything that’s coming down the pipe with sensors – from sensors in your production floor to sensors in your product – the amount of data feedback loops that we’ll start to have around our production and our customer usage of products is amazing.

That kind of stuff gets me going; it’s all really exciting. I think we’re right on the edge of a whole new way of making things. And this is where America really excels, …