Brett Weaver
Language Access Consultant at PGLS
In response to the global disruptions and harsh lessons of the COVID-19 pandemic, most manufacturers are working to de-risk their supply chains. As commerce continues to trend towards increasing interdependence, the risk of disruptions—due to geopolitical conflict, war, tariffs, and other circumstances out of the industry’s control—remain prescient.
According to Accenture, manufacturing success in this decade and onward depends on lessons learned and accelerating value chain transformation. Manufacturing businesses that prioritize people-first, technology-led solutions can better protect against future supply chain disruptions. Better yet, if the solutions can also match accelerating consumer demand, a handful of manufacturers have an opportunity to lead.
One such area ripe for transformation is the relationship between global manufacturers and language service providers (LSPs), brokered by advanced technology, such as generative AI.
A recent McKinsey report named generative AI “a new frontier for problem-solving, illustrated by recent innovations in content creation, insight generation, and human-like interaction.” In the manufacturing sector, generative AI can be used to guide and supplement predictive maintenance, automated root cause analysis, production plans, route design, and more. For LSPs, generative AI presents the possibilities for greater scalability, precision, and data security. In both cases, human oversight remains essential to quality assurance.
Combine the two, and manufacturers can expect measurable efficiency gains, consistent quality outcomes, and enhanced safety and compliance.
How Manufacturing Translation Services Can Improve Production Efficiency
Increasing production efficiency is a call to every plant manager. Which levers are the right ones to pull?
Staff utilization is a core metric that almost always has room for improvement, and it can be one of the most challenging to impact. Immediate gains in human-led outcomes are not easily won. Introduce language barriers, and the challenge increases.
Is it possible there is a knowledge gap between management’s expectations and current performance? When working with a multilingual workforce, the quality of content provided—through written materials, videos, seminars, and onboarding—has a direct impact on on productivity outcomes. Facilitating effective team meetings across language barriers also matters.
Manufacturing translation services can help identify and address current gaps in translation quality, which may be contributing to lags in production efficiency. Then, your LSP can use generative AI to transform or modify existing content to land more effectively with multilingual staff. The aim is to deliver a consistent training experience, no matter which language your staff speaks at home.
An investment in clear communication sets a higher bar for performance, which lays the foundation for increased production efficiency over time. On the other hand, skimping in this area exposes the operation and personnel to significant risks.
Ineffective Communication Worsens Safety, Compliance, and Performance Outcomes
Poor communication, mediated by low-quality translations, can lead to tragic outcomes and costly mistakes.
According to the Department of Labor, Hispanic and Latino workers are projected to make up 78% of new workers by 2030. The job fatality rate of Hispanic and Latino workers is 24% higher than the national average, increasing again last year to 4.6 per 100,000 workers.
Also, the total cost of work injuries in 2022 was $167 billion, which included wage and productivity losses of $50.7 billion, medical expenses of $37.6 billion, and administrative expenses of $54.4 billion.
Companies have a legal and ethical responsibility to communicate safety and training resources in the languages spoken by their workers. Without multilingual support, it is impossible to expect equivalent safety, productivity, and quality outcomes for all workers.
How to Streamline Workforce Communications for Efficiency and Compliance
According to the National Association of Manufacturers, more than 71% of manufacturers said their leading challenge is attracting and retaining employees. Turnover might seem like an inevitable reality for many plant managers, but there are steps you can take to mitigate it.
Your partnership with an LSP can lead to safer outcomes for workers, while also targeting enhanced performance, by taking the following steps.
#1: Ask, do not assume, about workforce language needs
By engaging with migrant and non-native-speaking workers directly, manufacturers can more effectively recognize and address the diverse needs of their workforces.
#2: Document processes thoroughly
Accurate translations for manufacturing safety guidelines and procedural steps can mitigate safety risks and improve performance and job satisfaction.
#3: Localize documentation for worker groups
ESL or non-English-speaking workers deserve clear communication. Technical translation services for manufacturing and accurate interpretation strengthens your relationships and trust with frontline workers, which support better performance and retention.
#4: Offer language training
Language training can improve workforce communications, enhance safety and compliance, boost efficiency and productivity, and increase employee satisfaction.
The Role of Generative AI in Global Manufacturing Language Services
In response to increasing demand for speed and precision, leading LSPs are scaling manufacturing language services with the help of generative AI. Together with human oversight, Gen AI increases productivity, aligning better with production schedules without overtaxing budgets.
The technology has enabled transformations to language service providers’ value proposition, including:
- Enhanced security: API-based data transmission ensures greater security than browser-based machine translation (MT) tools. Clients can also choose self-hosting for extra protection.
- Customizable large language model (LLM) integration: Incorporating large language models enhances the translation quality of complex, context-sensitive content.
- Text optimization and post-editing: Tools can automatically rewrite source text for better MT results and apply automatic or human post-editing for a refined output.
- Integration of translation memories and style guides: Ensure consistency by leveraging your company’s translation memories and incorporating your brand style with glossaries and custom prompts.
Selecting Your Global Manufacturing Translation Services Partner
Effective communication, well-documented processes, and accessible training that reach across language barriers can increase production efficiency, personnel retention, and compliance.
Your manufacturing language services provider should offer all the necessary services to support your required outcomes:
- Expertise in global manufacturing operations
- Remote and virtual interpretation
- Workforce language training
- eLearning content development
- Generative AI capabilities
As a leading provider to global manufacturers, PGLS brings deep expertise and a commitment to excellence for automotive, chemical, heavy equipment, and machinery industries. Get in touch today to discuss a global partnership.