Implementation of Manufacturing Automation

Hello all, I'm currently in due diligence on a manufacturing business that produces large volumes of small parts with a highly labor-intensive process. One of the most compelling opportunities in this acquisition is the potential to implement automation to boost productivity before scaling revenue. I’d appreciate any insights or experiences on how best to approach this kind of initiative. Specifically, I’m weighing a few paths: - Hire an independent consultant to conduct a formal automation study - Engage an equipment provider who can assess the operation and propose integrated solutions - Bring on a full-time hire with hands-on experience implementing automation in similar environments - Other approaches I may not be considering? If you've tackled something similar—or have thoughts on sequencing, ROI, or vendor selection—I’d love to hear your perspective. Thanks in advance!