Jon Buchan, CEO of PA Group, presented a dynamic look at “Disruptive Technology and Textiles: The Future of Work.” Before getting started, however, he showed attendees a handful of paper money and introduced the “buzzword jar” – which would receive a bill every time he used technical jargon during his presentation. (He put several bills into the jar during his talk, then added the balance of the cash at the end, which he donated to the Textile Technology Center.)

Buchan discussed trends and challenges related to various types of disruptions. One way individuals and companies react to those disruptions can be poison, he said.

“Have you heard the words, ‘that’s the way we’ve always done it?’ ” he asked. “Those are seven of the most dangerous words in the textile industry. Many companies are no longer around because of those words.”

Disruptive technologies and textiles

Industry megatrends that have disrupted the industry in recent years, he said, include near-shoring, re-shoring, green manufacturing and compliance, Millennials entering the workforce, globalization, empowered consumers, complex regulations, increasing product complexity and compressed lead times.

Realities of the industry, however, have made it difficult at times, Buchan added. Among them: “Do more with less – that’s probably the mantra of the textile industry,” he said. Also, high tend-time jobs, an aging workforce and tight margins.

Disruptive technologies of note include the Internet of Things (IoT), which he described roughly as the ability to deploy large amounts of sensors in various applications; machine learning; predictive analytics/condition monitoring; and systems of engagement. He explained each in further detail, especially focusing on the IoT and its role in manufacturing.

Quoting FORBES, he said, “What makes digital business different from e-business is the integration of things, connected and intelligent, with people and business.” Data mining and machine learning are all intertwined in the Internet of Things, which can provide predictive analysis, he said.

Some of the value of the IoT in manufacturing is it provides the ability to monitor production flow in real time, implement condition-based maintenance alerts, manage equipment remotely, provide cross-channel visibility and much more.
 

“These are already making an impact on our industry,” Buchan said. “You’re beginning to already use them in your daily life. We thought these were some of the things you should be aware of because they could be game-changers for our industry.”