Case Study: Introducing Robotics & Automation to Increase Diversity in the Automotive Industry

Robotics and automation play a significant role in streamlining business processes but can be challenging for small businesses (SMBs) to adopt. This issue is prevalent in minority communities (women and POC) where resources and funding are not easily accessible. We identified three specific gaps that prevent these businesses from adopting and implementing automation and robotics. These gaps are present in areas such as internal skills, infrastructure, and financing. The internal skills gap highlights the lack of knowledge, skillset, and leadership support needed to identify and introduce increased technology use. The infrastructure gap acknowledges that there is a lack of access to systems and resources needed to implement and maintain technology. Finally, the financing gap emphasizes the limited knowledge SMBs possess regarding where and how to secure funding. To increase the adoption of automation and robotics in SMBs, 3M will develop a mentorship program specifically tailored to SMBs. This mentorship program will partner with external organizations to provide SMBs with funding, networking opportunities, and consultative assistance to further integrate robotic solutions into their operations. We plan to specifically partner with SMBs in the automotive manufacturing industry who provide supplies to popularly known automotive OEMs, such as Toyota, GM, Ford, etc. These participants will be selected based on revenue, brand fit, and market segment to determine attendees that will benefit from this program and 3M’s ASD resources. The global autonomous vehicle industry is expected to grow at a CAGR of 28% during 2021-2026 due to the increasing popularity of autonomous cars and taxis. To implement the identified strategies, we will leverage existing resources within the Safety and Industrial Business Group (SIBG), Social Justice Strategy & Initiatives Team, and The Abrasive Systems Division (ASD) Global Marketing Team. We will also leverage outside collaborators such as automotive OEMs, Small Business Administration (SBA) resources, and other SMB organizations to address the financing gap and develop educational resources for the mentorship program.