Dear

Following the recently published KPMG study Global Manufacturing Outlook, manufacturing in the USA (as well as the rest of the world) sits on the cusp of an innovation revolution.  Given the needs and challenges, many of us will have to revamp and retool our entire business models in order to remain competitive and successful. 

For those who actually manufacture, this requires partnering with vendors to maintain material & component quality and with equipment & machinery designers to provide the processing tools that will work in your factory, with your people, and your products.  All the while, achieving acceptable payback and making it easier to meet customer demands.

Nearer home in Wisconsin (a manufacturing rich state), we face the intensifying demands of smaller and more frequent orders, on shorter notice, with more urgent delivery demands and, with higher product variability.  In other words, the customers want their products their way and they want them NOW.  Add on the expected perfect quality and  competitive pricing and you have the perfect storm that is manufacturing today.

You then pick up the local paper that tells you of new job creation as well as twice that number that left the workforce.  You look at the average age of your skilled workforce, and you see a serious problem staring you in the face.  This is why manufacturing in Wisconsin is, and must continue, retooling and upgrading our processes.

Let us know what you think.

Eric Wentz

e.wentz@betterbydesign.com