“5G is vital to the Manufacturing 4.0 movement that’s propelling America to be the global hub for smart, modern manufacturing,” says Jay Timmons, president and CEO of NAM. “Manufacturers are harnessing 5G to make workplaces safer, boost efficiency and strengthen resilience across our operations.

“By enabling real-time actions and supporting new technologies like AI, 5G is giving manufacturers more tools to sharpen [their] competitive edge, support more people and secure America’s leadership in the global economy,” explains Timmons.

“5G helps manufacturers deploy AI tools so they can evaluate large datasets and identify efficient solutions quickly—whether through supply chain management, predictive maintenance for machinery, quality control or improving the employee experience,” claims Timmons.

“By accelerating innovation, enhancing safety, enabling real-time decision-making and strengthening our industrial base, 5G empowers manufacturers to lead in a fiercely competitive global economy,” Timmons points out.

The NAM report features real-world examples of how 5G is transforming many companies. For instance, Whirlpool Corp. uses the technology to connect autonomous mobile robots that deliver heavy parts in its appliance assembly plants. At Cummins Inc., highly secure 5G networks power robots, detect product defects and monitor production equipment.