A positively charged material will repel another positively charged material and attract a negatively charged material. Similarly, a negatively charged material will repel another negatively charged material and attract a positively charged material. Like charges repel and opposite charges attract.
The problem for industry is in the presence of static electricity, materials you need to keep separate may stick to each other and materials you need to adhere may repel each other. Also, foreign substances such as dust or contaminates may be attracted to your equipment surfaces and products. And coating materials such as paint or ink may be repelled rather than evenly distributed on surfaces.
Production is interrupted and production speeds are slowed, product quality is decreased and more rejects occur, dust and other contaminates compromise product quality and productivity, and personnel may experience electrostatic shock.
