Robotics is transforming the way modern manufacturers address labor shortages, safety risks, and production bottlenecks — and at Premier, that evolution is driven by leaders who’ve spent decades solving real problems on the plant floor. One of those leaders is Erik Shafer, manager of the robotics team.

With more than 20 years of experience designing, building, and integrating robotic systems — including running his own integration company — Erik brings practical insight shaped by hands-on engineering and a deep understanding of what manufacturers truly need. We sat down with Erik to discuss his journey, his philosophy on system design, and his perspective on where the industry is headed. 

A Career Built on Curiosity and Hands-On Engineering 

Erik’s introduction to robotics began in the late 1990s, when he joined a welding integrator while completing his MET degree. The work was hands-on and immersive — designing weld cells, building fixtures, and solving problems that directly affected production. That experience sparked a long, curiosity-driven career in robotics. 

Over the next two decades, Erik’s path took him through nearly every role inside an integration company. As the owner of his own robotics firm for nearly 20 years, he learned the realities of engineering-to-order systems, project delivery, and the business pressures that come with custom automation. 

That depth of experience also shaped his perspective on what it takes to build a sustainable robotics offering. Smaller firms often struggle with the financial and operational volatility of engineered-to-order automation, something Erik experienced firsthand. Premier’s diversified structure — spanning power systems, controls, robotics, and engineered solutions — stood out as a rare environment with the stability to support long-term robotics growth. 

Together, those attributes give Erik something essential: a platform where his practical problem-solving mindset can thrive. And that mindset becomes especially clear in how he approaches customer challenges and the design of robotic systems. 

A Practical Approach to Solving Complex Manufacturing Challenges 

Most challenges that reach the robotics team center on improving production — from addressing labor shortages to increasing throughput or enhancing quality and safety. Erik approaches these problems through close collaboration, working with customers to understand their operations, define expectations, and build systems that integrate smoothly into existing processes. 

“Throughout the project life cycle, we have milestone meetings and impromptu calls if something arises,” Erik said. “Communicating with the customer — good or bad — is one of the most important things.” 

His experience running an integration business means he’s seen every stage of a project, and he knows how important alignment is from concept through installation. It also means he understands the questions and hesitations manufacturers often bring to the table. The most common: the belief that robots will displace existing workers. 

“In almost every case, we haven’t displaced workers — they end up running the robot systems. It becomes a better, more technical, higher-paying job,” Erik said. 

And when it comes to the labor shortage, robotics is no longer optional — it’s essential. 

“Younger people aren’t getting into the trades, so the gap is growing. Robotics is improving, and integrating them into more roles is getting easier. In many cases, they can directly replace jobs where the shortage is the most severe.” 

He also encourages manufacturers to approach robotics with realistic expectations. Robots are powerful tools, but they aren’t a magic solution. They rely on consistent inputs, stable processes, and ongoing partnership between plant teams and integrators to deliver the results manufacturers expect. 

This practical, experience-driven mindset shapes Erik’s work every day — and it’s part of what positions Premier to guide customers through the rapidly evolving world of industrial automation. And as robotics continues advancing at an unprecedented pace, that perspective becomes even more valuable when looking ahead to what’s next. 

Looking Ahead: Preparing for the Next Era of Robotics 

As robotics continues to accelerate in capability and accessibility, Erik believes manufacturers are only beginning to see what these systems can deliver. Advancements in sensing, ease of use, and flexible automation are making robotics viable for applications that would have been unrealistic even a decade ago. This shift, combined with persistent labor shortages, means more facilities are exploring automation not as a long-term aspiration, but as an immediate operational need. 

Erik is optimistic about where the industry is headed — especially for manufacturers willing to take a collaborative, realistic approach to automation. He emphasizes that teams who invest in learning, stay flexible, and engage deeply with their integrators see the greatest long-term success. 

And when it comes to the next generation entering the field, he offers simple, grounded advice shaped by years of hands-on experience. 

“Be as engaged as you can, learn as much as you can, and be open-minded,” he said. 

For Erik, that mindset isn’t just guidance for young engineers — it’s the approach that will define the manufacturers best positioned to thrive as robotics becomes a core part of modern production.