2025-05-24 06:00
publication
2025-05-24 06:00
The participation of people of post -working age and the decreasing base of professionally active people in society make automation and robotization significantly accelerate. Experts reassure that this does not mean reduction of employment, but adaptation of activities, especially production, magazines and logistics centers, to the needs of the changing world and the labor market. For employees, this may mean the need to develop new competences, but also a chance for development – emphasize IKEA experts.
– Robotization and automation are crucial for our activities, and at the same time result from the demographic challenges we face. There is a shortage of employees willing to work in the production hall. Therefore, despite the fact that the automation of our factories has been important for many years, we have now significantly increased the pace of its implementation – says in an interview with Newseria agency Małgorzata Dobies -Turulska, president of IKEA Industry Polska, managing director of IKEA Industry Zbąszynek.
The data of the Central Statistical Office shows that the percentage of population in post -working age increased in Poland with 7 percent. In 1950, to almost 24 percent In 2024. According to the forecast of the population in 2060, people aged 65 and more will constitute about 30 percent. population, and their number will increase by 2.5 million compared to 2022. The number of professionally active people in the fourth quarter of 2024 was over 17.8 million and was 56 thousand. lower in relation to the third quarter of 2024 and by 128 thousand. lower compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
– At IKEA, we constantly strive to maintain the price of our products, while maintaining the principles of democratic design. This means that our products are not only functional and aesthetic, but also balanced. Our commitment to automation of production processes allows us to introduce innovative materials and solutions, which translates into increasing the quality of our products. Optimizing production efficiency, we are able to respond faster to changing market requirements, ensuring that the needs of our customers are always met – explains Małgorzata Dobies -Turulska.
According to plans announced a few years ago, IKEA plans to automate 800 positions around the world by the end of 2025. In the case of a factory in Zbąszynek, investments in this area will allow you to reach the level of automation within 80-85 percent. Another example is the use of robots in a warehouse in Wiskitki near Warsaw, which are used to fulfill parcel orders from all over the country.
According to the “labor market barometer 2025” Gi Group, 41.6 percent companies in Poland have implemented solutions in the field of automation, and 23.5 percent. He is just planning such actions. Among the barriers they encounter, they mention, among others Technical restrictions, lack of knowledge among management staff or high costs. Opinions about new technologies are divided among employees. 32 percent He is not afraid of the consequences of technological changes, but 18 percent. He is afraid of losing a job because of this.
– There is often an accusation that automation threatens employees, taking away their jobs. This is not true. The changing demographic trends affect the availability of employees, and the competitive advantage translates into the possibility of increasing production and development – argues the president of IKEA Industry Polska. – Automation significantly contributes to the fact that the workplaces we offer become more attractive and ergonomic, which makes the work lighter. The generational diversity in the workplace is an additional advantage – automation enables the employment of both younger and older employees. Being an operator can be an interesting occupation that requires appropriate competences, but not requiring a lot of physical effort, which is beneficial for the elderly.
According to the report, at least 28 percent employees use artificial intelligence in everyday work, access to knowledge is still limited. Every third employee assesses education as insufficient, and 23 percent It is not possible to get to know these technologies at work at all. Therefore, experts point to the need to invest in new competences of employees.
– Changing competences is one aspect, but the growing role of leadership is noticeable in the era of digitization, automation and artificial intelligence. The ability to listen and identify employees' needs becomes a special competence. It is important that the leaders focus on connecting people and setting up directions of development and work – says Małgorzata Dobies -Tourska.
Ikea Industry has over 30 factories in seven countries and employs 15,000 employees. In Zbąszynek there is the world's largest complex of factories producing furniture, consisting of five plants in neighboring Zbąszyń, Zbąszynek and Babimost in western Poland, employing a total of nearly 3,000. employees.
