In a survey conducted by IDC Manufacturing Insights, people, their decisions, and how they perform their jobs, are in the center of what are being labeled, “Factories of the Future”. Because of a difficult economy and risks for disruptions in manufacturing, constructing these production plants are in 43% of the respondents’ formal processes.
As summarized from the report, “Despite growing plant automation, people – and the flexibility and decision-making capabilities they provide – will be at the center of the factories of the future. Finding skilled workers will prove to be a key issue in the industry.”
Other key findings from the report include:
- For more than 56% of respondents, the factory of the future will be measured according to its production capability and flexibility, not merely efficiency and production capacity.
- Over the next five years about 10% of Western enterprises will give up to make-to-stock (MTS) heading toward make-to-individual (MTI).
- In five years, 47% of manufacturers will produce modular platforms centrally while using local small factories, suppliers, and distributors to tailor final products for local demand.
A summary of the report entitled, “Business Strategy: The Journey Toward the People-Intensive Factory of the Future”, can be found by clicking the green button below.
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