Blows from the Pandemic Forced Change The pandemic came as a shock to manufacturers. They weren’t prepared for the sharp increase in demand. “In March and April of last year, there was an increase in demand for goods,” said Yavar. “Much of the demand shifted to the individual and the individual's home. Yet the capacity in the workforce wasn’t there for manufacturers to hire, so there was a gap between the demand for goods and the supply.” As the pandemic deepened, some companies prospered while others languished. “Those companies that were interrupted in their business are still trying to catch up and they can’t. People are still waiting for some items,” said Yavar. “That challenge created a gap that is continuing. That’s a big reason why we’re seeing a focus on automation. 95% of manufacturers were affected in some way. The result is an altered focus for 2021. Manufacturers plan to reduce input cost through automation.”