Temporary fabric buildings (often referred to as tension fabric structures) are thought of as a solution to construction and remediation projects, but they are also an increasingly useful option for manufacturers.
Here’s What We’ll Cover in this Post:
- The Post-Covid Manufacturing Trends to Stay Aware of
- Supply Chain Simplification
- How Successful Production Lines Are Becoming More Efficient
- Where Temporary Fabric Buildings Come Into Play
- Advantages of Temporary Fabric Buildings
This last year has brought about a lot of changes to our society and our economy that impact the products and services we use, and how we manufacture and deliver them. As we navigate the next few years, manufacturers will need to be adaptable to changes in technology, supply chain issues, public health policy that affects operational decisions, and changing supply and demand for both new and old products as we transition from an old to a new economy. At Allsite Structure Rentals, we deal with numerous manufacturers who are looking for creative building and infrastructure improvements. Here are some of the major trends that we see posing challenges and opportunities for manufacturers today.
Key Post-COVID Manufacturing Trends
Digitalization
Digitization of commerce has introduced a wave of new virtual services, from grocery delivery to telemedicine. In this growing online marketplace, successful firms will create efficient and customer-friendly interfaces and online storefronts. Brick and mortar retail was already in decline before the pandemic. It will be largely replaced by online stores that continue to evolve. These virtual stores now include shopping experiences offering a wide range of choices and visual enhancements, such as 3d imaging to enrich the online shopping experience. Virtual showrooms can display everything from fashion to furniture, refined and customized to the consumer’s exact tastes, something much harder to do in a limited space physical boutique or showroom.
The Internet of Things (IoT) has taken a leap forward as well, advancing smarter interfaces among devices, speeding up and improving efficiencies, and, on the product end, opening new markets in digital technology for consumers eager to enrich their extended time at home. And 3D imaging technology has enhanced and accelerated product design and engineering, bringing more products to market, faster.
Automation and Robotics
The use of automation and robotics in manufacturing accelerated rapidly during the 2020 pandemic, helping firms survive worker shortages and keep products flowing. Automation lowers costs and, without the extra complexity of workforce management, gives manufacturers the flexibility to choose when and how the work is done. Production no longer needs to be dependent on the physical presence of large numbers of workers. Advances in automation and robotics make this a worthwhile investment for firms of all sizes. Any kind of business can benefit from the use of automation in operations. 
For example, relatively inexpensive 3D printers can quickly reproduce parts, including medical supplies, on-site wherever they are needed, vastly reducing downtime and improving productivity.
Supply Chain Simplification
During the pandemic, shortages of overseas goods highlighted the dangers in our very complex and lengthy supply chains that were developed over the last few decades, often spanning half the globe. Smart manufacturers are bringing the production of vital goods home, leading to the shortening and reinforcement of a more reliable supply chain. Local, lower-risk suppliers not only help assure that deliveries flow on time. They can also contribute to the faster product line and production process changes, increasing speed and efficiency by reducing wait times for crucial components.
Leveraging Knowledge and Talent
The information revolution has provided advanced and scalable analytical tools that make data more easily available. Smart companies have information at their fingertips so they are ready when decisions need to be made, or course corrections are indicated. When the opportunity arises to fill a new market need or grab market share, these firms have the tools available to move quickly.
The pandemic resulted in smarter use of remote management and communications. Companies improved the use of key talent by necessity. Instead of holding decision-making meetings at headquarters, they began to leverage their talent base by dispersing their skills at any time via telecommunications with remote offices. With less time lost in travel and more time interfacing and exchanging information, this new way of leveraging teams across geographies will be a permanent tool to help companies succeed.
Smart, Flexible, and Scalable Operations
The firms that did well over the last year were ready to absorb changes in volume and types of demand. Smart firms in the future will adopt processes that let them scale production quickly, or relocate production and distribution centers based on local needs. As we’ve seen with the shortages of PPE, flexible manufacturers will be set up to switch over or set up new product production lines quickly, pivoting seamlessly to the needs of the marketplace. With the tools for added flexibility, manufacturers will have more opportunities to diversify and update their product lines for added profitability.
Be Flexible, Be Local, and Be Ready, with Allsite Tension Fabric Structures
Rapidly changing conditions require a manufacturer to remain flexible and be able to make changes quickly. Tension fabric structures are a temporary fabric building solution that offers the flexibility to expand or contract manufacturing, warehousing, workforce centers, and other variables when needed. With more localization of production and warehousing, having quick access to extra capacity allows faster scaling of operations, room for new production lines, or extra storage space for increased product inventory.
Allsite’s durable and reliable tension fabric structures are a timely solution to short or long-term needs for extra space.
Advantages of Adding Tension Fabric Buildings to your Manufacturing Capacity Planning:
- Extra building space that can be quickly erected as a free-standing structure or installed adjacent to existing buildings to increase capacity where and when you need it. Use as a manufacturing floor or to house vehicles, equipment, inventory, or use for shipping/receiving, or other operations.
- Multiple width options with customizable length to fit your site and your capacity needs. Build out your production line as long or short as you need. The structure’s high vertical clearance means you can stack inventory or store large equipment with ease. This high-strength structure can support overhead truss systems, signage, or other overhead equipment such as video or sound systems. For speedy adaptation to changing needs and for optimal use of space, the structure can be quickly enlarged or reduced as needed.
- Sturdy, high clearance, low maintenance extruded aluminum framed structure that is UV, fire, and chemical resistant, and sheds heavy rain and snow for year-round use. An insulation liner can be added for extreme cold weather locations.
- Select doors and openings to fit your application. Options range from glass personnel doors or cargo doors to clamshell aircraft hangar doors. Other options include ventilation, lighting, insulation, and anchoring systems appropriate to the site and project. Buildings are electricity and HVAC ready and can be divided into interior workspaces as needed
- Lightweight and modular, your building can be configured and shipped to the site quickly, and it can be easily relocated or reconfigured if the need arises so you get optimal use of your structure.
- Our expert team will help define your needs and configure your solution. The team will complete onsite assembly usually in a matter of days so your building can be up and running quickly.
Room for Growth with Tension Fabric Structures
These high-quality, durable, and adaptable temporary fabric buildings can help companies navigate through the ups and downs of post-pandemic recovery and the rapid changes occurring in the post-COVID era, helping manufacturers respond quickly and compete in these fast-changing times. For more information, contact our Allsite sales team today.
