NIST SME Automation Challenges & Opportunities Survey

NIST SME Automation Challenges &
Opportunities Survey
Start of Block: Block 1 company demographics
1.1 The National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) is seeking inputs from
industry to document the current state of modern manufacturing, and to better
understand the needs and opportunities of manufacturers in the U.S. The Manufacturing
Robotics program is specifically looking for information to assist emerging technologies
that are expected to enable advancements in manufacturing capabilities, improve
existing processes, increase product quality, and increase the economic
competitiveness of U.S. industries. Your responses will assist in these efforts and help
inform us about the needs of your industry.
OMB Control #0693-0043, Expiration Date: 06/30/2025
A Federal agency may not conduct or sponsor, and a person is not required to respond to, nor
shall a person be subject to a penalty for failure to comply with an information collection subject
to the requirements of the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995 unless the information collection
has a currently valid OMB Control Number. The approved OMB Control Number for this
information collection is 0693-0043. Without this approval, we could not conduct this
survey/information collection. Public reporting for this information collection is estimated to be
approximately 10 minutes, including the time for reviewing instructions, searching existing data
sources, gathering and maintaining the data needed, and completing and reviewing the
information collection. All responses to this information collection are voluntary. Send comments
regarding this burden estimate or any other aspect of this information collection, including
suggestions for reducing this burden to the National Institute of Standards and Technology at
100 Bureau Dr, Stop 8230, Gaithersburg MD 20899, Attn: Shelly Bagchi;
or SMEAutomationSurvey@nist.gov

Page 1 of 125

1.2 How many employees are in your company?

o 1 to 10
o 11 to 50
o 51 to 100
o 101 to 500
o 501 and above
1.3 How would you describe your company's role(s) in the manufacturing industry? (Select
multiple if applicable.)

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Facility Monitoring / Control
Integrator
Logistics (e.g., product distribution, imports/exports)
Producer
Product Customization / Modification
Product Design
Strategic Planning
Vendor

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 2 of 125

1.4 What is the primary manufacturing industry of your company? (Select only the most
applicable.)

o Aerospace Manufacturing
o Appliance and Component Manufacturing
o Automotive and Transportation Manufacturing
o Fabricated Metal Product Manufacturing
o Industrial Equipment Manufacturing
o Robotic System Manufacturing
o Furniture and Related Product Manufacturing
o Paper Manufacturing
o Wood Product Manufacturing
o Leather Manufacturing
o Textile and Apparel Manufacturing
o Building Materials Manufacturing
o Non-Metallic Mineral Product Manufacturing (e.g., gravel)
o Food and Beverage Manufacturing
o Pharmaceutical and Non-Electronic Medical Devices Manufacturing
o Plastics, Rubber, and Industrial Chemical Products Manufacturing
o Packaging (e.g., of pre-made components or products)
o Consumer Electronics and Parts Manufacturing
o System Integration
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________
Page 3 of 125

End of Block: Block 1 company demographics
Start of Block: Block 2a aero, appliance, auto, metals
2.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 4 of 125

2.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2a aero, appliance, auto, metals
Start of Block: Block 2a mgmt

Page 5 of 125

3.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 6 of 125

3.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does your
company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual and
automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 7 of 125

3.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 8 of 125

3.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 9 of 125

3.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the next
5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g. forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (surface finishing, grinding, cutting, etc.)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 10 of 125

3.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2a mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2a non-mgmt

Page 11 of 125

4.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 12 of 125

4.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 13 of 125

4.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 14 of 125

4.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2a non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2b furniture, paper, wood

Page 15 of 125

5.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 16 of 125

5.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2b furniture, paper, wood
Start of Block: Block 2b mgmt

Page 17 of 125

6.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 18 of 125

6.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does your
company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual and
automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 19 of 125

6.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 20 of 125

6.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 21 of 125

6.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the next
5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g. forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (surface finishing, grinding, cutting, etc.)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 22 of 125

6.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2b mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2b non-mgmt

Page 23 of 125

7.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 24 of 125

7.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 25 of 125

7.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 26 of 125

7.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(surface finishing,
grinding, cutting,
etc.)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2b non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2c leather, textile, apparel

Page 27 of 125

8.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 28 of 125

8.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

End of Block: Block 2c leather, textile, apparel
Start of Block: Block 2c mgmt

Page 29 of 125

9.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 30 of 125

9.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does your
company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual and
automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 31 of 125

9.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 32 of 125

9.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 33 of 125

9.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the next
5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Chemical Processing (e.g. tanning, dyeing, washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g. forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly (e.g. sewing)
Painting & Printing (e.g. screen printing, stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing (e.g. hemming, embroidery)
Surface Modification (e.g. surface finishing, cutting)

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 34 of 125

9.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2c mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2c non-mgmt

Page 35 of 125

10.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 36 of 125

10.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 37 of 125

10.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

Page 38 of 125

10.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
(e.g. tanning, dyeing,
washing)
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g. forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly (e.g.
sewing)
Painting & Printing
(e.g. screen printing,
stamping)
Packaging/Palletizing
Product Finishing
(e.g. hemming,
embroidery)
Surface Modification
(e.g. surface
finishing, cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

End of Block: Block 2c non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2d building materials, mineral products

Page 39 of 125

11.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 40 of 125

11.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2d building materials, mineral products
Start of Block: Block 2d mgmt

Page 41 of 125

12.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 42 of 125

12.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 43 of 125

12.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 44 of 125

12.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 45 of 125

12.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 46 of 125

12.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2d mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2d non-mgmt

Page 47 of 125

13.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 48 of 125

13.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 49 of 125

13.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically?
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

If you don’t do a particular task

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 50 of 125

13.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally?
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Packaging/Palletizing
Painting
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

If you don’t do a particular task

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2d non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2e food, pharma

Page 51 of 125

14.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Sanitizer
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 52 of 125

14.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2e food, pharma
Start of Block: Block 2e mgmt

Page 53 of 125

15.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 54 of 125

15.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 55 of 125

15.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 56 of 125

15.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 57 of 125

15.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 58 of 125

15.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2e mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2e non-mgmt

Page 59 of 125

16.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 60 of 125

16.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 61 of 125

16.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 62 of 125

16.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2e non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2f plastics, rubber, chem

Page 63 of 125

17.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Sanitizer
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 64 of 125

17.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2f plastics, rubber, chem
Start of Block: Block 2f mgmt

Page 65 of 125

18.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 66 of 125

18.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 67 of 125

18.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 68 of 125

18.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 69 of 125

18.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 70 of 125

18.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2f mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2f non-mgmt

Page 71 of 125

19.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 72 of 125

19.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 73 of 125

19.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 74 of 125

19.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2f non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2g packaging

Page 75 of 125

20.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 76 of 125

20.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2g packaging
Start of Block: Block 2g mgmt

Page 77 of 125

21.1 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person does your company
expect these tasks to be done manually (with no automation), on average?
0-3
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 78 of 125

21.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 79 of 125

21.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 80 of 125

21.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 81 of 125

21.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

21.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
Page 82 of 125

End of Block: Block 2g mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2g non-mgmt

22.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 83 of 125

22.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 84 of 125

22.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 85 of 125

22.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2g non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2h electronics

Page 86 of 125

23.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Electronics Engineer
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 87 of 125

23.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2h electronics
Start of Block: Block 2h mgmt

Page 88 of 125

24.1 How many hours per day on average per person does your company expect these tasks
to be done manually (with no automation)?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 89 of 125

24.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 90 of 125

24.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 91 of 125

24.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 92 of 125

24.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 93 of 125

24.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2h mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2h non-mgmt

Page 94 of 125

25.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 95 of 125

25.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 96 of 125

25.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

Page 97 of 125

25.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

End of Block: Block 2h non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2i integration

Page 98 of 125

26.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Controls Engineer
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 99 of 125

26.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2i integration
Start of Block: Block 2i mgmt

Page 100 of 125

27.1 How many hours per day on average per person does your company expect these tasks
to be done manually (with no automation)?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 101 of 125

27.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 102 of 125

27.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 103 of 125

27.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 104 of 125

27.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 105 of 125

27.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2i mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2i non-mgmt

Page 106 of 125

28.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 107 of 125

28.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 108 of 125

28.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 109 of 125

28.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2i non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2j other

Page 110 of 125

29.1 What is your current role at your company?

o Executive Manager
o Front Line Manager
o Chemist / Chemical Engineer
o Controls Engineer
o Electronics Engineer
o Integrator
o Machine Operator
o Maintenance
o Manufacturing Engineer
o Product Research & Design
o Quality Control
o Sanitizer
o Tradesman
o Other (please specify): __________________________________________________

Page 111 of 125

29.2 Which of the following tasks are currently being performed at your company, and in what
way (e.g., manually or via automation)?
manually
only

Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

mix of
manual and
automation

automated
only

this task is
performed
but don't
know the
method

N/A (don't
do this
task)

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2j other
Start of Block: Block 2j mgmt

Page 112 of 125

30.1 How many hours per day on average per person does your company expect these tasks
to be done manually (with no automation)?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-16

17+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 113 of 125

30.2 To the best of your knowledge, how many hours per day per person or machine does
your company expect the tasks listed below to be done using automation (or a mix of manual
and automation), on average?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12-15

16+
hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 114 of 125

30.3 How challenging are these tasks for your employees? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 115 of 125

30.4 How often do these tasks result in process bottlenecks? If you don't know for a particular
task, please skip the row.
2-3 times
a month
or less
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Once a
week

2-4 times
a week

Daily

2-4 times
a day

5-7 times
a day or
more

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 116 of 125

30.5 Which tasks are you considering introducing or increasing automation to address in the
next 5 years? Select multiple if applicable.

▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢
▢

Additive Manufacturing
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling (e.g., forklift operation, picking)
Mechanical Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification (e.g., surface finishing, grinding, cutting)
Welding

Other (please specify):
__________________________________________________

Page 117 of 125

30.6 What is your company's estimated budget (% of total annual budget) for new technologies
to support manufacturing processes?

o 0% to 5%
o 6% to 10%
o 11% to 20%
o 21% to 50%
o 51% or above
o Prefer not to say
o Don't know
End of Block: Block 2j mgmt
Start of Block: Block 2j non-mgmt

Page 118 of 125

31.1 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks manually?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 119 of 125

31.2 How many hours per day (on average) do you do these tasks using automation?
0-3
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

4-7

8-11

12+ hours

don't
know

N/A

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 120 of 125

31.3 How challenging are these tasks for you physically? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

Page 121 of 125

31.4 How challenging are these tasks for you mentally? If you don’t do a particular task
personally, please skip the row.
Extremely
easy
Chemical Processing
Electrical/Electronics
Assembly
Inspection
Machine Tending
Material Handling
(e.g., forklift
operation, picking)
Mechanical
Assembly
Painting
Packaging/Palletizing
Surface Modification
(e.g., surface
finishing, grinding,
cutting)
Welding
Other (please
specify):

Somewhat
easy

Neither
easy nor
difficult

Somewhat
difficult

Extremely
difficult

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o
o
o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

o
o

End of Block: Block 2j non-mgmt
Start of Block: Block 3 short answer

Page 122 of 125

32.1 This is the last page of the survey. The following open-ended questions are optional;
please feel free to write as much or as little as you want. If you wish to provide additional details
or feedback, please contact SMEAutomationSurvey@nist.gov.

32.2 Generally, what are your current manufacturing challenges?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

32.3 What opportunities for potential growth (for example, in manufacturing
productivity/capability) would be most beneficial to your operation?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

32.4 What kinds of automation do you currently use? What platforms (machines, robots, etc.)
do you have for this?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 123 of 125

32.5 What automation technologies do you think would most directly benefit your operation?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

32.6 What are the biggest challenges or barriers for adoption when automating an operation?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

32.7 What specifications and/or requirements do you look at when adopting an automated
solution?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Page 124 of 125

32.8 Where does your production facility need additional standardized methods (e.g.,
standardized measurement procedures, equipment specifications, common software/hardware
interfaces)? In other words, which areas are currently lacking standards?
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________

Q139 Thank you for taking this survey. Please click the 'next' button to submit your answers.
End of Block: Block 3 short answer

Page 125 of 125