The speed of business today is definitely accelerating and the implication of this on manufacturers is telling. We believe that several manufacturer profiles have emerged in recent years. Some still yearn to run their firms in nostalgic, time-tested ways. Some have never snapped back from the 2008 recession and restricted credit days. Some, though, are possessing new forward looking views, processes and technologies that will enable them to match the speed of change in business and eclipse competitors.
This document looks at the significant changes that have impacted manufacturers in recent years, as well as the different profiles of manufacturers in operation today. It examines the consequences of not changing and provides specific guidance to those firms desiring a place in the modern, information-enabled and information-rich manufacturing space.