After a somwhat lackluster year, organizations in nearly every industry are looking forward to the opportunities and advancements that 2017 has in store. For manufacturers, there's a lot of change on the horizon in terms of how to operate, the best ways to deliver value to clients and how to further evolve. Let's take a look at some of the most prevalent manufacturing trends that we can expect to see within the next year.

1. Going green

Manufacturing plants can utilize a significant amount of resources when powering and cooling these facilities. Even smaller shops can end up with high utility bills for their operations. As more advanced technology becomes available, manufacturers will increasingly go green by adopting lean practices and reducing overall waste. The Manzella Report contributor Steve Erickson noted that renewable energy sources can reduce overall material and operational costs. Going green can also gain consumer favor, which is critical to improving a manufacturer's reputation and sales.

2. Adopting analytics

Having oversight into all operations is a luxury that not many manufacturers have. However, analytics tools can be leveraged to monitor critical metrics and guide managers to make better decisions. Small Business's Ben Lobel noted that with actionable insights from collected data, manufacturers can create more efficient cost and product propositions, reduce errors and drive efficiency. These will be critical advantages for meeting client needs as well as delivering quality products and services.

Manufacturers can also pair analytics capabilities with sensors. When sensors are put into products, organizations can track usage, customer behavior and any other issues. This type of information is critical to resolving problems early and monitoring historical data to track any emerging patterns. Organizations will certainly put more emphasis on these technologies in the next year.

3. Innovating for more opportunities

The idea of continuous innovation has become a main priority among more manufacturers. Operators must constantly improve their skills, take advantage of new technology and reevaluate their strategies to ensure they bring the most value. World Economic Forum contributor Jennifer McNelly noted that there's pressure to be adaptable, accountable and innovative, all of which require the best people as well as the most capable tools to do the job effectively. Organizations can no longer rely on their traditional tools and processes. Instead, utilizing an ERP system that integrates well with analytics and automation technology can help give manufacturers the boost they need to stay ahead of the competition.

Technology will play a large role in shaping the future of the manufacturing industry. Organizations are starting to utilize tools that will help them be leaner, more innovative and more insightful. With these capabilities, manufacturers can expect to cut operational costs, predict behaviors and continue to scale in the future. As we head into 2017, it looks to be a promising opportunity for manufacturers to take advantage of new processes and tools to bolster their services and products.