Taiwan’s fastener industry plays a major role in the global supply chain. Manufacturers are now seeking ways to enter high value-added industries such as the aerospace, automotive, and medical device industries. The restructuring of the global supply chain and demand of small quantity and large variety production in the post-pandemic period requires fastener production lines to be more local and automatic. It is high time for fastener manufacturers to transform digitally. In order to accelerate the implementation of smart manufacturing in the fastener industry and to further increase international competitiveness, MIRDC (October, 30) announced the formation of the Smart Manufacturing Alliance for Metal Fastener and Forming Equipment Industries with eAI Technologies, Advantech, and InfoChamp Systems. The alliance aims to provide smart solutions for local fastener manufacturers and to share the experience of leading companies on how to carry out digital transformation and remain competitive.
Chen Gan-lin, General Manager of eAI Technologies, stated that Southern Taiwan is a hub for fastener manufacturing. However, the industry has always had fewer resources and lagged in the adopting information applications. A key challenge to the current fastener industry is its lack of information integration, presenting a gap between upper IT systems and OT information of production sites. The industry requires the assistance of information and communication technologies to increase its value. With this wave of smart manufacturing, more and more small and medium fastener manufacturers are starting to realize the importance of digital transformation. In addition, resource integration can help accelerate the realization and implementation of smart manufacturing and enhance the capabilities of small and medium fastener manufacturers to produce high-quality products that cater to the needs of the market and maintain competitiveness.
Dr. Chiu-Feng Lin, President of MIRDC, firmly believes that the future fastener factories will largely utilize digital application services, products, and relevant digital technologies. Therefore, he has shaped MIRDC into an industrial leader that consolidates the expertise of local equipment factories, information service providers, platform providers, software and hardware providers, system integrators, and IT providers to build smart manufacturing demonstration production lines for the fastener industry. MIRDC is assisting the fastener industry in building a service platform that satisfies the demand for the smart upgrading. Digital transformation will inevitably improve productivity, accelerate development cycles, and reduce costs. Through the Alliance, MIRDC can truly realize its goal of serving local fastener manufacturers and help increase the soft and hard powers of the industry.