Last updated on November 7, 2024 at 12:07 pm

The issue with manufacturing has always been that it takes too long to embrace new technologies for employee engagement. Rather, it focuses more on production output and cost control.

The reason?

The industry primarily experiences high turnover due to fluctuating demands. Owing to endless risk factors, safety, and compliance have taken the spotlight and relegated employee engagement and satisfaction to backstage, with only 25% of employees in the manufacturing sector engaged at work.

But not anymore—because mobile technology is slowly but steadily finding its way into manufacturing!

Whether it’s empowering the workforce or breaking down communication barriers, business owners have understood the importance of employee engagement in manufacturing and how it changes the way businesses connect with their teams.

After all, it’s all about building a thriving and productive workplace where every employee wants to stay.

Wondering about the different ways mobile technology improves employee engagement in manufacturing businesses? Let’s know it all here!

1. Bridges Communication Gaps

In the manufacturing industry, employees are scattered across huge facilities. Most employees are assigned to work in different sectors with machinery, manage all materials, assemble different parts, or constantly oversee the entire process. These workers are always on the go, so they don’t have access to traditional communication methods, like emails.

Mobile technology bridges that gap here and plays a significant role in employee engagement in manufacturing.

Further, if any employees have different native languages, certain mobile technologies can be customized to support different languages and ensure clear communication.

Real-Time Updates

While workers can’t access traditional communication tools like telephones or computers, they can always carry smartphones, tablets, or other mobile devices. Employees are also able to communicate with each other through reliable mobile apps. This helps them share significant updates, discuss assigned tasks, or transmit safety alerts.

For instance, an equipment malfunctions and breaks down. Employees can connect instantly with maintenance teams through apps to reduce downtime and be more productive.

Creates a Feedback Channel

Mobile technology also promotes a two-way feedback channel. Using dedicated communication apps, workers can ask questions, mention problems, and offer feedback.

This fosters open communication, and employees feel valued as you offer them a dedicated channel to share their thoughts. Further, digital communication also makes 45% of employees feel more connected to the team!

Ensures Cross-Department Collaboration

Mobile-based employee engagement in manufacturing also keeps multiple departments connected.

Even if they are situated in different corners of the facility or different locations, employees can collaborate seamlessly with mobile technology, building a sense of unity and ensuring improved problem-solving.

2. Mobile-based upskilling and Training

Mobile technology has also transformed employee engagement in manufacturing with training, upskilling, and development.

The traditional learning approach often requires employees or recruits to attend classes in a single space. This disrupts daily operations where hands-on activities are required. Mobile learning is a game-changer in such areas due to the following reasons:

Offers Flexible Learning

Upskilling is important in all industries, more so for businesses operating with high demands in fast-paced manufacturing segments. 

Using mobile technology, employees don’t need to attend traditional, in-person classes. They can instead access interactive tutorials, training videos, and instructional modules directly on their device. Thus, every employee can learn new skills at their own pace–whether during their break or after work–without disrupting operations.

Microlearning

Another benefit of learning and development through mobile technology is microlearning, which has proven to be far more effective than traditional learning methods.

In microlearning, employees learn small bits or units of focused information at scheduled intervals or at their own convenience, which helps them process and retain information better. As a result, they learn faster and improve more!

3. Improves Productivity

Mobile technology also improves employee engagement in manufacturing by enhancing employee productivity. This is possible because they can access the necessary information to streamline tasks and improve operational performance through their devices.

Real-Time Data Access

Through mobile technology, all employees can access relevant information, such as inventory levels, production status, and machinery performance, directly on their respective mobile devices. They respond to changes quickly, make informed choices, and optimize workflow.

For instance, operators can monitor equipment and receive alerts about malfunctions and failures immediately. So, issues get addressed before anything escalates beyond control.

Task Management Apps

Another innovative mobile technology is task management apps. These apps allow supervisors to track, assign, and update tasks and send notifications about due tasks, task completion rates, and production bottlenecks.

Thus, they can guide employees to stay organized and focus on priority tasks, enhancing productivity in your company!

4. Boosts Job Satisfaction and Employee Retention

Statistics show that in August 2024, around 3,084,000 Americans quit their jobs. Of these, 202,000 were from the manufacturing industry—just a little less than 10% of the total employees who quit their jobs. Such stats make it abundantly clear that manufacturing has faced enormous employee turnover, especially over the last few years.

After all, these jobs are quite physically demanding and have limited opportunities for growth.

Here’s how employee engagement in manufacturing using mobile technology makes a difference.

Mobile Scheduling for Quality Work-Life Balance

Promote improved work-life balance by letting employees access data like shift schedules. Let them communicate with each other to swap shifts and even request time off with a few clicks on their mobile devices.

With improved employee engagement in manufacturing, you can offer greater flexibility and let workers enjoy more work-life balance. This further prevents burnout among your frontline staff and boosts employee retention.

Recognition and Rewards

Your frontline workers devote every last drop of blood to the company. However, a lack of recognition can be another major reason behind quitting.

Again, mobile technology can be a game-changer in terms of increasing employee engagement in manufacturing.

Use mobile platforms to track performance metrics, production target meetings, safety protocol adherence, and training program completion. Public recognition through these platforms offers employees a sense of accomplishment and motivates them to strive harder.

Career Development Opportunities

When frontline workers do the same job every day, they don’t have opportunities to advance in their careers. They feel bored, disengaged, and dissatisfied, which increases employee turnover rates.

Through mobile technology, you can offer training, skill assessment, and other resources for career advancement. With better growth opportunities, employees stay engaged, boosting retention rates.

5. Improves employee safety and compliance

According to official stats from Great Britain, 65% of work-related fatal injuries in 2023-24 happened in just three industries, one of them being manufacturing. This data can be extrapolated for a global overview to conclude that manufacturing employees are still at high risk of work-related accidents and fatalities.

That being said, you can use mobile technology to support on-duty safety and compliance through employee engagement in manufacturing. Let’s know how:

Safety Checklists and Reports

All the employees on the floor can complete safety checklists and log potential hazards and incidents on the mobile app. They can even flag non-compliance in real-time. Further, employees can schedule prompts to conduct regular safety checks.

Thus, these measures ensure a safe, secure, engaged, and productive workplace. Employees also feel cared for, which boosts retention rates.

Certification Tracking and Compliance

Through mobile technology, upper management can keep tabs on all workers, their certifications, and training data. Whenever a certification is about to expire, management can alert them about renewal.

Such monitoring results in every employee complying with industry standards and regulations and being well-equipped with the latest knowledge for their safety.

Wearable Tech Integration

The Internet of Things (IoT) revolution is breaking new ground for various industries through interconnected devices and cloud-based services.

In the case of manufacturing, if your organization combines mobile technology with smartwatches, sensors, and other wearables, you are able to monitor employee health in real-time. This is a significant must, especially if your employees work in extreme environments, like excess heat, cold, or heights. Your team tracks body temperatures, heart rates, and exposure to hazardous substances.

When necessary, assigned individual tracking may also alert the other workers or supervisors through mobile technology to take immediate action.

6. Build a Culture of Consistent Improvement

Mobile technology creates a culture of innovation in manufacturing businesses, as employees feel empowered and eager to contribute more. Let’s see how it works:

Idea Crowdsourcing

Companies can crowdsource ideas from employees regarding waste reduction, safety enhancement, and process improvement during discussions via mobile connectivity apps. Workers are encouraged to contribute their thoughts and drive the company to success, boosting employee engagement in the manufacturing business.

Boosts Decision-Making Participation

We have already mentioned how mobile technology allows employees to access significant data. As such, if workers notice any performance inefficiencies, they may suggest solutions. Everyone actively partakes in significant operations and increases employee engagement in manufacturing.

Moreover, it leads to more inclusive decision-making by considering diverse perspectives, which, in turn, promotes diversity and inclusion in the workplace.

Conclusion

From improved communication and safety to increased productivity and continuous improvement, mobile technology is reshaping how the manufacturing workforce interacts with each other, top executives, and business owners. Now, workers are no longer divided by huge facilities, and everyone is connected to and beyond the production floor.

Using the EMPLOYEE App to solve employee engagement issues can be the perfect solution for you. Designed with the unique needs of manufacturing workers in mind, it offers real-time messaging, feedback tools, and instant updates, enabling seamless communication across the manufacturing ecosystem.

Schedule a demo today to learn how the EMPLOYEE App can revolutionize your manufacturing operations!

FAQs

1. Why is mobile technology significant for employee engagement in manufacturing?

Mobile technology helps manufacturing employees communicate seamlessly, access significant information, and get important updates in real-time. It makes all workers feel connected while boosting teamwork.

2. What common challenges does the manufacturing industry face while picking an effective mobile technology for engagement?

Some common challenges while choosing mobile technology for employee engagement in manufacturing are

• Training employees to use them
• Integrating mobile technology into existing platforms
• Ensuring data security

However, if you choose the EMPLOYEE App, you can overcome all the challenges in a breeze!

3. What kind of mobile devices and apps are best for manufacturing work environments?

In manufacturing environments, ruggedized mobile devices, including smartphones, wearables, and tablets, are best. They must be suitable for dealing with extreme temperatures, weather elements, and pollutants. Similarly, use apps and platforms like the EMPLOYEE App that are compatible with all devices to better manage employee engagement in this industry.

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