The constantly growing share of people of post-productive age in society and the shrinking base of professionally active people mean that automation and robotization are significantly accelerating. Experts assure us that this does not mean reducing employment, but adapting operations, especially production, warehouses and logistics centers, to the needs of the changing world and 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 key to our business, and at the same time they result from the demographic challenges we face. There is a shortage of employees willing to work on the production floor. Therefore, although automation of our factories has been important for many years, we have now significantly increased the pace of its implementation – says Małgorzata Dobies-Turulska, president of IKEA Industry Polska, managing director of IKEA Industry Zbąszynek, in an interview for the Newseria agency.
According to data from the Central Statistical Office, the percentage of the post-working age population in Poland increased from 7% in 1950 to almost 24% in 2024. According to the population forecast, in 2060 people aged 65 and over will constitute about 30% of the population, and their number will increase by 2.5 million compared to 2022. The number of economically active people in the fourth quarter of 2024 was over 17.8 million and was 56 thousand lower compared to the third quarter of 2024 and 128 thousand lower compared to the fourth quarter of 2023.
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– At IKEA, we constantly strive to keep our products affordable while maintaining the principles of democratic design. This means that our products are not only functional and aesthetic, but also sustainable. Our commitment to automating production processes allows us to introduce innovative materials and solutions, which translates into improved quality of our products. By 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 worldwide by the end of 2025. In the case of the factory in Zbąszynek, investments in this area will allow to reach the level of automation in the range of 80-85 percent. Another example is the use of robots in the warehouse in Wiskitki near Warsaw, which are used to fulfill parcel orders from all over the country.
According to the Gi Group's “Labor Market Barometer 2025”, 41.6% of companies in Poland have implemented automation solutions, and 23.5% are only planning such actions. Among the barriers they encounter, they list technical limitations, lack of knowledge among management staff and high costs. Opinions on new technologies are divided among employees. 32% are not afraid of the consequences of technological changes, but 18% are afraid of losing their jobs because of it.
– There is often an accusation that automation threatens employees by taking away their jobs. This is not true. Changing demographic trends affect the availability of employees, and 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 jobs we offer become more attractive and ergonomic, which makes work easier. Generational diversity in the workplace is an additional advantage – automation allows for the employment of both younger and older employees. Being an operator can be an interesting job, requiring appropriate competences, but not requiring much physical effort, which is beneficial for older people.
The aforementioned report shows that although 28% of employees use artificial intelligence in their daily work, access to knowledge is still limited. Every third employee considers education insufficient, and 23% have no opportunity to learn about these technologies at work. Therefore, experts point to the need to invest in new employee skills.
– Changing competences is one aspect, but in the era of digitalization, automation and artificial intelligence, the growing role of leadership is noticeable. The ability to listen and identify the needs of employees is becoming a unique competence. It is important for leaders to focus on connecting people and setting directions for development and work – assesses Małgorzata Dobies-Turulska.
IKEA Industry has over 30 factories in seven countries and employs 15,000 people. Zbąszynek is home to the world's largest furniture factory complex, consisting of five plants in the neighbouring towns of Zbąszyń, Zbąszynek and Babimost in western Poland, employing a total of nearly 3,000 people.
