The manufacturing sector has faced persistent productivity challenges worldwide, particularly as small and medium-sized businesses (SMEs) form the backbone of industrial output. By embracing digital transformation, these companies can bridge productivity gaps and position themselves as market leaders through innovation and competitiveness.
According to Holman David Velasquez Bautista, who leads the KraussMaffei Group Andina office based in Bogotá, Colombia, digital transformation is about aligning people, processes, and strategies to deliver measurable results. Drawing on his experience in Latin America, he emphasizes that digital transformation enables SMEs to collaborate more effectively and respond to market demands in today’s fast-paced business environment. These lessons can also inspire U.S. SMEs seeking resilience and growth.
Building Resilient Supply Chains: Why SMEs Must Embrace Integrated Digital Platforms
Manufacturers often associate automation with production floor machinery. However, the future of automation lies in commercial process automation, covering areas such as sales management, marketing operations, procurement, and supply chain functions. By digitizing these operations, SMEs can streamline workflows, minimize errors, and generate critical data for demand forecasting and resource optimization.
Based on his work with SMEs in Latin America, Velasquez Bautista notes that many companies —including those in the U.S.— still overlook commercial automation, largely because automation is commonly equated with robotics. The real value emerges when sales and supply chain operations are digitally transformed, creating continuous information flows that deliver stability and resilience.
Smart Manufacturing as a Catalyst for Regional and Global Economic Growth
The pandemic-era supply chain breakdown revealed the vulnerabilities of traditional systems. To move beyond basic diversification strategies, SMEs require digital platforms that link suppliers, manufacturers, and distributors in real time. Cloud-based solutions, IoT tracking, and predictive analytics allow businesses to anticipate disruptions, manage risks, and maintain uninterrupted service delivery.
Smart manufacturing creates a dual impact: driving business efficiency while stimulating regional economic growth. The adoption of AI, machine learning, and real-time monitoring by SMEs strengthens local supply networks and creates employment opportunities. On a larger scale, productivity gains from smart manufacturing will help the United States and other regions maintain their position as global trade leaders.
Lessons from Latin America: Digital Transformation Strategies U.S. Manufacturers Can Apply Today
Latin American SMEs provide a valuable model, having successfully adopted integrated platforms in sectors like plastics processing and supply chain management. Their experience demonstrates how digital transformation strategies can deliver tangible results even under resource constraints.
“The fast adaptation to change in Latin America has taught us to work efficiently with minimal resources,” says Velasquez Bautista. He suggests that U.S. SMEs should take a similar approach by choosing scalable, adaptable solutions rather than waiting for perfect conditions. The present moment, he emphasizes, is the best time to act.
About Holman David Velasquez Bautista
Holman David Velasquez Bautista brings deep expertise in marketing, sales strategy, human development, and plastic injection molding. As Office Manager at KraussMaffei Group Andina (based in Bogotá, Colombia), he directs regional strategy and operations across Latin America. Throughout his career, he has been committed to helping businesses achieve their potential through innovative solutions, digital transformation, and environmentally responsible practices. His insights and leadership in Latin America offer valuable lessons that can inspire manufacturers worldwide, including in the United States.
