Manufacturing leaders are under pressure to improve efficiency and make faster, more informed decisions. In a recent Forbes Business Council article, Cory McNeley, leader of UHY’s Technology Innovation practice, shared his perspective on how AI is reshaping modern manufacturing. The insights below expand on that viewpoint for middle-market manufacturers evaluating where AI can create measurable business value.
I have spent years watching manufacturing evolve through cycles of automation, digitization and global disruption. What stands out right now feels different. AI is reshaping how decisions get made and how problems get solved, resulting in more precise operations.
Moving From Reactive To Predictive
One of the most immediate changes I see is the move away from reactive operations. For decades, much of manufacturing has depended on responding to issues after they occur. AI changes that rhythm.
On the maintenance side, companies now analyze machine data in real time. They might look at vibration, oil usage and subtle performance anomalies to predict failures before they happen. Instead of waiting for downtime, they plan for it, creating efficiencies that were once difficult to achieve.
AI can flag potential disruptions such as supplier delays or quality issues before they fully materialize. It can also suggest alternatives based on historical patterns. Logistics and planning are evolving as well: AI improves routing and efficiency while also helping teams make sense of massive datasets. In production planning, these tools can estimate capacity based on staffing, equipment and run rates.
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