11.05.2023
International
The global skills shortage combined with an ageing workforce and more workers retiring is accelerating digitalization of plant operations in the industrial sector, a new report from the independent research and advisory firm Verdantix shows.
For the report, Verdantix interviewed 301 senior executives in North America, Europe, South America, South Africa, India, Australia, China and the Gulf States responsible for operational excellence initiatives at firms with revenues of at least $250 million.
Some 86% of survey respondents say a shortage of skilled workers is a significant or very significant factor driving increased digitalization while 85% point to an ageing workforce as important factors. More than four out of five (83%) say they plan to increase spending on operational excellence initiatives during 2023 with around half (42%) expecting to increase spending by 10% or more during the year.