Most automation conversations start with the wrong question:
That framing creates resistance.
And it misses the point.
High-mix shops don’t need fewer people.
They need better leverage.
It removes them from repetitive load/unload.
It protects spindle time.
It frees them to manage setups, quality, and flow.
If your strategy is centered on headcount reduction, you’re probably automating the wrong thing.
If it’s centered on throughput and constraint removal, you’re on the right track.