In today’s global economy, manufacturing firms in the Inland Empire face mounting pressures: international competition, rising labor costs, supply chain volatility, and the constant demand for higher quality at lower prices. Yet, around the world, some industrial economies have turned these challenges into opportunities by embracing automation. Singapore offers a striking example of how integrating automation into manufacturing can spark revival, growth, and global competitiveness.
Singapore’s Transformation Through Automation
- High adoption rates: In Singapore, 83% of organizations have implemented at least one automation solution.
- Robot density: The nation has about 730 industrial robots per 10,000 manufacturing workers, one of the highest ratios globally.
- Output gains: Companies adopting smart manufacturing technologies have achieved ~20% increases in production output, 20% higher employee productivity, and 15% better capacity utilization.
- Labor skill shift: Today, about 60% of Singapore’s manufacturing workers are classified as highly skilled — a direct result of pairing automation with workforce development.
These measurable gains show that automation is not hype — it is a proven strategy to remain competitive when costs are high.
Why It Matters for the Inland Empire
For Inland Empire manufacturers, the parallels are clear. Our region employs ~92,000 people in manufacturing within a labor force of 2.09 million. Meanwhile, 16%+ of local jobs are in logistics — an industry that sets unforgiving benchmarks for speed and efficiency. Wages are climbing, unemployment has recently ticked up to ~6%, and global competitors are pressing margins harder every year.
Competing on labor alone is no longer viable. Competing on precision, uptime, and repeatability is the only sustainable path. That’s where automation enters.
Practical Steps for Small Manufacturers
Automation does not require multi-million-dollar “lights out” factories. Small and mid-sized shops can begin with manageable, high-ROI projects:
- Automate Repetitive Administrative Tasks
Affordable software now handles invoicing, payroll, and inventory tracking — freeing staff for higher-value work. - Adopt Entry-Level Robotics
Collaborative robots (cobots) are cost-effective and excel at packaging, labeling, palletizing, or repetitive assembly. - Use Sensor Technology and IoT
Low-cost sensors track machine performance and predict maintenance needs, reducing downtime and scrap. - Invest in Workforce Upskilling
Local training programs mean you don’t have to go it alone. Moreno Valley College offers industrial automation certificates through apprenticeships — crucially, these are not tied to union membership, debunking a common misconception. Pairing classroom instruction with on-the-job training ensures employees can implement and maintain new technology. - Start Small and Scale
Pilot automation in one area — like quality checks or packaging — to prove ROI, then expand from there.
Apprenticeships: Lessons from Germany
Germany has long been a high-cost manufacturing nation, yet it has maintained global competitiveness through its dual system of apprenticeships. This model combines classroom learning with structured on-the-job training, ensuring that workers develop both theory and practical skills in automation, machining, and advanced manufacturing. Unlike in the U.S., apprenticeships in Germany are not tied to unions; they are partnerships between employers, schools, and government.
The result: a steady pipeline of highly skilled workers who can implement and maintain advanced technologies. This system has been credited as one of the key reasons Germany’s manufacturing sector remains resilient despite wages and regulatory costs that far exceed those of lower-cost countries.
For Inland Empire manufacturers, the parallel is clear: programs at Moreno Valley College and other RCCD campuses replicate this model, offering automation and mechatronics apprenticeships that deliver real skills without the misconception of union affiliation. Tapping into these programs can help manufacturers adopt technology confidently while building long-term workforce resilience.
Local Resources You Can Leverage
- California Manufacturing Technology Consulting (CMTC): Offers subsidized consulting for process improvement, cybersecurity, and automation adoption.
- Employment Training Panel (ETP): Reimburses employers for training incumbent workers, including in automation and digital systems.
- Chaffey College InTech Center: Provides mechatronics apprenticeships in robotics, PLCs, and industrial maintenance.
- RCCD Colleges (Riverside City, Norco, Moreno Valley): Offer industrial automation curricula, including non-union apprenticeship tracks that align education directly with employer needs.
IE by the Numbers
- 92,000 manufacturing workers in the Riverside–San Bernardino–Ontario metro.
- 2.09 million total employed in the region.
- 16%+ of jobs in logistics, setting a pace manufacturers must match.
- 6.0–6.4% unemployment as of summer 2025.
- $30.90 average hourly wage in the IE vs. $32.66 U.S. average.
A Roadmap for Competitiveness
Like Singapore, Inland Empire manufacturers can use automation not only to cut costs but to lead in quality, reliability, and innovation. By starting small, investing wisely, and leveraging local training and subsidy programs, our region’s firms can turn today’s pressures into tomorrow’s opportunities.
Automation, paired with a skilled workforce, is the lever that will revive local industry and secure the Inland Empire’s place in the global economy.
