Formic Emphasizes Human Element as Key to Successful Automation Adoption, Releases New Guide

Chicago, IL – Formic, a Robots-as-a-Service (RaaS) provider for U.S. manufacturers, recently highlighted that the most challenging aspect of automation is not the technology itself, but rather securing team buy-in. The company underscored this perspective with the release of its new guide, "5 Steps to Getting Your Team On Board with Automation," aimed at addressing employee concerns and fostering a collaborative transition.

Formic announced its guide on social media, stating: > "The hardest part of automation isn’t the tech — it’s getting your team on board. Our guide, 5 Steps to Getting Your Team On Board with Automation, shows how to ease concerns, involve employees early, and turn change into momentum." This initiative reflects a growing industry recognition that successful automation hinges on effective change management and workforce integration.

The guide, as described by Formic, focuses on easing employee anxieties by illustrating how automation can reduce physical strain, stabilize work shifts, and create new opportunities for skill development. It also provides practical strategies for early employee involvement, comprehensive training, and building momentum through incremental changes. This approach aims to transform potential resistance into positive engagement.

Industry experts widely concur that employee resistance is a significant hurdle in automation adoption. Research indicates that fears of job displacement, disruption to workflow, and a lack of understanding about new technologies often lead to pushback. Effective change management strategies emphasize transparent communication, early involvement of employees, and robust training programs to mitigate these concerns.

Formic, founded in 2020, has rapidly expanded its footprint, surpassing 200,000 production hours in 2024 and achieving 180% growth in market demand. The company's RaaS model, which offers robotic automation with no upfront capital investment and guaranteed uptime, has made automation more accessible to small and medium-sized manufacturers. This growth underscores the increasing need for manufacturing automation, particularly in addressing labor shortages.

Despite the technological advancements and economic benefits of automation, the human factor remains paramount. Companies like Formic are recognizing that investing in technology must be coupled with investing in people, ensuring that employees are not only trained but also feel valued and integrated into the evolving automated environment. This holistic approach is crucial for sustainable growth and successful digital transformation in manufacturing.