The Truth About Automation: It Doesn’t Kill Jobs, It Saves Companies
Automation has a branding problem.
For years, it’s been framed as the villain of manufacturing — the thing that replaces people, eliminates jobs, and turns skilled trades into push-button work.
But in this episode of The Germinate Podcast, host Joe Sampson sits down with Matt Hendey to unpack what’s actually happening on shop floors today. And the reality is far more practical and far more urgent.
Automation isn’t replacing good people.
It’s helping companies survive.
The Labor Problem No One Can Ignore
Manufacturers across the country are facing the same challenge: there simply aren’t enough people.
Skilled trades are harder to fill. Younger workers aren’t entering the workforce at the same rate. Shops are running lean. And the work still needs to get done.
Matt explains that automation is stepping in not as a replacement for talent, but as a force multiplier. It allows companies to:
Keep production moving with smaller teams
Reduce burnout among skilled workers
Free up people to focus on higher-value tasks
Stay competitive in a market where margins are tight
In many cases, automation isn’t about reducing headcount — it’s about making sure the company is still around to employ people at all.
Automation Isn’t About Fancy Robots, It’s About Smart Decisions
One of the biggest misconceptions Matt addresses is that automation always means huge, futuristic systems.
In reality, it often starts small.
It might be:
A process that eliminates repetitive manual handling
A system that reduces errors or rework
A way to keep machines running longer with fewer interruptions
The goal isn’t to impress visitors with technology.
The goal is to solve real bottlenecks that cost time, money, and energy.
Matt emphasizes that successful automation projects begin with one key question:
“Where are we losing the most?”
When leaders focus on solving specific operational pain points, not just buying technology, that’s when automation actually delivers.
Why Automation Projects Fail (And What Works Instead)
Not every automation project succeeds. Matt points out that failures often happen when companies:
Try to automate a broken process
Focus on equipment instead of workflow
Don’t involve the people who actually run the job
Underestimate the planning and change management required
The shops that get it right treat automation as an operations strategy, not a tech purchase.
They:
Map the process
Identify true constraints
Get buy-in from the team
Think long-term, not just short-term ROI
When automation is implemented thoughtfully, it doesn’t disrupt culture; it strengthens it.
Automation Makes Jobs Better
Here’s the part that often gets missed:
Automation doesn’t eliminate the need for skilled people; it raises the level of work.
When repetitive, physically demanding, or error-prone tasks are automated, workers can focus on:
Problem-solving
Setup and optimization
Quality control
Process improvement
Instead of being stuck in constant firefighting, teams can operate with more control and less stress.
That’s not job loss.
That’s job evolution.
The Real Risk Is Doing Nothing
Perhaps the most important takeaway from Joe and Matt’s conversation is this:
The real danger isn’t automation.
The real danger is falling behind.
Competitors are improving efficiency. Lead times are tightening. Customers expect consistency and speed. Shops that avoid change often find themselves squeezed from all sides.
Automation, when done strategically, is how companies stay in the game — and keep providing stable jobs for years to come.
Final Thoughts
Automation isn’t the enemy of the workforce.
It’s a tool for survival, growth, and smarter operations.
As Matt Hendey makes clear in this episode of The Germinate Podcast, the question isn’t whether automation will impact manufacturing — it already is. The question is whether companies will approach it reactively… or use it intentionally to build stronger, more resilient operations.
Because in today’s environment, automation doesn’t kill jobs.
It saves companies.
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