Skip to content
MarketScale
‹ Back to IndustriesEngineering & Construction

RedTalks: Manufacturing Engineering Trends to Watch in 2021

Over the last half decade, the manufacturing industry has witnessed a slow but decisive shift toward trends such as automation, robotics and Industry 4.0 capabilities. However, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of these trends for many companies. What does this mean for business leaders today? Josh McNeely, the Vice President of Sales and…

This story was produced through MarketScale. See how Engineering & Construction teams put it to work with Partner & Channel Enablement.

Share
RedTalks: Manufacturing Engineering Trends to Watch in 2021

Get featured

Want to get featured in MarketScale Engineering & Construction?

Create a free MarketScale workspace and get your company's expertise featured across our Engineering & Construction coverage. No credit card, no demo required.

Request an invite

Over the last half decade, the manufacturing industry has witnessed a slow but decisive shift toward trends such as automation, robotics and Industry 4.0 capabilities. However, the coronavirus pandemic has accelerated the adoption of these trends for many companies.

What does this mean for business leaders today?

Josh McNeely, the Vice President of Sales and Marketing at RedViking, and Lexi Vargo, RedViking’s Director of Marketing, provide some insight into what manufacturing businesses can expect in 2021.

“We service different industries,” said McNeely, listing markets like automotive, off-highway, military, aerospace and new energy. “And, depending on the industry, we’ve seen a varying adoption of these trends.”

“But I would say the common theme through all manufacturing has really been around simplification, automation, smart connectivity with our devices and limiting risk.”

He and Vargo also note the growing importance of Industry 4.0 in recent industry discussions.

Essentially, Industry 4.0 is “bridging the physical assets of the industry with digital technologies,” Vargo said. “The more we can do that for a manufacturer and throughout the supply chain, the better they can compete with other companies and gain market share.”

This trend in particular is changing how companies operate in areas like hiring and supply chain management, and businesses that want to get ahead would do well to incorporate this trend into their own organization.

Of course, it’s important to understand the best way to implement this trend before jumping in headfirst. McNeely observed that most companies right now are taking a “staggered approach, a strategic approach. They’re limiting their investment and testing these technologies… Each industry is figuring that out for themselves.”

Subscribe to the RedTalks podcast on Apple Podcasts and Spotify for the latest insights on manufacturing from RedViking leaders and other industry experts.

Follow us on social media for the latest updates in B2B!

Twitter – @MarketScale

Facebook – facebook.com/marketscale

LinkedIn – linkedin.com/company/marketscale

Your experts belong here

Every story in MarketScale Engineering & Construction starts with a company putting its project engineers, superintendents, and estimators on the record. Buyers are already reading this topic. The only question is whose experts they find.

Owners shortlist firms they already trust, and your field leaders become the reason your name is on that list.

Get your team featuredSee how it works15 minutes, straight to a calendar.

Follow Engineering & Construction Insights

Get new expert content in your inbox.

Engineering & Construction: are you visible to AI?

Before they reach out, Engineering & Construction buyers ask AI engines which vendors to trust. See how AI describes your company today, and where competitors show up instead.

Free workspace

You just read one Engineering & Construction expert. Your company is full of them.

This article was produced through MarketScale. The same platform turns your project engineers, superintendents, and estimators into the articles, video, and social content Engineering & Construction buyers are searching for. Create a free workspace and see it with your own people. No credit card, no demo required.

NPS +73 · 1,000+ creators · 38+ countries

What you get, free

Your own MarketScale Studio workspace
One video edit a month, on us
AI writing, editing, and publishing tools
In-platform coaching to learn the system

More Engineering & Construction Insights

Most MES programs are stuck at pilot scale, and that’s now an AI and cyber risk decision

Most MES programs are stuck at pilot scale, and that’s now an AI and cyber risk decision

A significant number of manufacturers have adopted Manufacturing Execution Systems (MES) but the majority are only in the pilot stage. According to Rockwell, 93% of these manufacturers implement MES, yet only 23% have achieved full integration across all sites, potentially increasing AI and cybersecurity risks. The operational gap between those who have fully integrated MES and those who haven't continues to grow.

  • 0193% of manufacturers have adopted MES technology.
  • 02Only 23% of manufacturers have fully integrated MES across all sites.
  • 03The lack of full MES integration may elevate AI and cybersecurity risks.

Aug 24, 2026

Community college engineering programs can lift persistence by 16 points, but state funding swings are becoming an operational risk for employers

Community college engineering programs can lift persistence by 16 points, but state funding swings are becoming an operational risk for employers

Community college engineering programs have shown a significant improvement in student persistence, with a reported 16-point increase. However, fluctuations in state funding, as evidenced by North Carolina's budget cuts, pose a risk to this progress. These budgetary changes can affect the stability and operational efficiency of such educational programs.

  • 01Community college engineering programs can increase student persistence by 16 points.
  • 02State funding swings, like North Carolina's budget cuts, are an operational risk for educational programs.
  • 0315 campuses reported enrollment and persistence gains in their engineering pathways.

Aug 24, 2026

Let's Get to Know Your Product - Donald Hillman

Let's Get to Know Your Product - Donald Hillman

Donald Hillman from Multi-Plastics discusses the importance of understanding the product fully. A deep knowledge of the product aids in better marketing and customer satisfaction.

  • 01Understanding a product deeply can enhance its marketability and improve customer satisfaction.
  • 02Product knowledge can play a critical role in identifying unique selling propositions and competitive advantages.

Aug 19, 2026

Explore More Engineering & Construction Insights

Read more expert perspectives from across Engineering & Construction.

Browse Engineering & Construction Hub

For B2B teams

Your experts could be publishing here

Stories like this one run on content MarketScale captures from real practitioners. See how your team's expertise becomes coverage in Engineering & Construction and beyond.

Book a 15-minute demo

Or call us. No forms required. We pick up. 214-945-2512