November/December 2020 | Vol. 25 No. 6
2020 has been a year for the record books! The tragedy of COVID-19, the heightened social and political turmoil, and the genuine economic suffering for so many in our society are just a few examples of the challenges we have faced. In many ways, we are still painstakingly working through them.
Politics has also dominated our national dialogue in the United States in historic ways this year. As we go to press, the outcome of the general election is still unknown. Regardless of the outcome, we know that the electroindustry and manufacturing are strong and resilient. The men and women of the electroindustry have served our country in extraordinary ways this year. They kept plants running, even while supply chains were challenged, social unrest was flaring up in our streets, and consumer demand was plummeting and surging at whiplash speeds.
Achieving optimum productivity became a top priority for industries whose products were suddenly in short supply. Digitalization came to the rescue by allowing manufacturers to digitally configure new lines, test the retooling of existing lines, and virtually commission them from a remote location. More progress is underway by expanding 5G networks and smart electrical infrastructure, as the articles in this issue make clear.
As companies embrace smart infrastructure, 5G, digital skills, and the other technological advancements available as manufacturing enters the digital age, the result will be seen not only in terms of increased productivity but also better, more competitive performance overall. These are the key ingredients of growth and increasing quality of life for everyone involved in manufacturing and the many industries that grow alongside it.
There is great confidence in the ability of our industrial sector to deliver what the country needs. Investments in state-of-the-art factories, massive modernization programs, and groundbreaking product innovations are stories that have been overshadowed by political breaking news. What propels these investments is the fierce spirit of innovation at the heart of our industrial sector.
NEMA and its pioneering work embody that same spirit. It has been a great honor to serve as the NEMA Chair of the Board of Governors for the last 12 months.
NEMA represents the best minds of the U.S. electroindustry and manufacturing. It is an organization that cares about standardization policies and productivity and maintains the world-class reputation and competitiveness of U.S. manufacturing.
The bench of talent at NEMA is deep and filled with great people who step up to serve not for the money or the power, but because they truly believe in its core mission. This is the spirit of NEMA and the people behind it. Having the opportunity to be at the helm of this outstanding organization is an experience that I will always cherish. ei
Sincerely,
Raj Batra
President, Digital Industries, Siemens USA