Page 33 - Taiwan Machinery 2022-09 Edition

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INDUSTRY TRENDS

raw material are greatly impacting the industry today. With emissions ahead of net-zero policies coming into effect,
this trend, Dr. Yao advises that companies should not only such as increased costs from carbon taxes. Dr. Yao
focus on high-quality features, but also move to implement suggests suppliers gradually work from the areas that have
the new features, convenience, digitalization, and quick a lower entry threshold, such as energy-saving measures,
lead times to improve their advantages. improving production efficiency, and implementing tools to
reduce carbon emissions.
Dr. Yao also mentioned following trends and
suggestions for suppliers. Aside from the most obvious Suppliers in Taiwan have technological and
concept, such as smart manufacturing; he suggested manufacturing know-how advantages amid the new state
digitalization, low-carbon manufacturing/low-carbon of global trading affairs between the U.S. and China. With
products, low-carbon power, power conservation efforts, shortened supply chains aimed at introducing resiliency and
and negative carbon technologies. The reason behind his reducing disruptions, industries with expansive, worldwide
comment is explained as thus: In the past, the suppliers supply chains are less necessary. With Taiwan’s high-
could only focus on how to reduce carbon emissions in the caliber talents and manufacturing quality, manufacturers
production process, but nowadays, how to manufacture can fully focus on upgrading the supply chain’s automation
their products to help clients achieve low carbon usage is and smart capabilities, introduce worldwide mobility so that
important as well. automation can replace labor, and AI or machine learning
to absorb the technical experience.
World Events’ Impact
Manufacturers should look to reduce carbon emissions
A number of global events that occurred in the first
half of 2022 could have lasting impacts on Taiwan’s in the production stage as well through implementing
smart manufacturing and improving efficiency/energy-
manufacturing and machinery industries if suppliers do not saving equipment, Dr. Yao said. Small and medium-sized
make timely changes. Recently, Taiwan’s manufacturing enterprises can look to larger companies as a blueprint,
makes up over 30% of the GDP. But with global inflation when deciding which technologies to implement. Such
rate hikes, unstable raw material supply, and worker measures would ensure that companies’ carbon-conscious
shortages due to the low birth rates, companies are now products would be hit by fewer carbon taxes, as future laws
proactively adjusting their inventory policies, introducing would look at the carbon emissions in the entire production
more flexibility and willingness to accept new technology process and product lifespan.
into their supply chains, and improving resiliency.

Dr. Yao said that companies should also take note
of current trends, specifically net-zero pledges. He
encourages suppliers to work towards lowering carbon

Taiwan Machinery 2022 September