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Interview
What should be top of the agenda for manufacturing leaders today ? The number one priority for manufacturing
leaders today is to recognize and ACT on building more resilient supply chains . Without the ability to manufacture and get products to market , companies fail . No product means no business . The world has shifted so much over the last five years – economically , geopolitically and technologically . These three changepoints create tremendous opportunity in the manufacturing industry . There are various approaches to address these opportunities through a renewed focus on sourcing strategy , manufacturing location strategy and distribution strategy . Beyond that , it ’ s the deployment of advanced technologies to stratify production . 3D printing technologies are on the precipice of being deployable at greater levels of adoption across various verticals . This will mark the advent of the next manufacturing revolution globally . Our physical footprints for manufacturing will be disrupted along with the entire supply chain . This is what manufacturers should be leaning into . It ’ s coming .
Is there anything else you ’ d like to add ? With an eye towards the future , what manufacturing looks like in ten years will shift dramatically . With the renaissance of reshoring manufacturing to North America , coupled with advancements in automation , additive manufacturing opportunities will continue to grow .
Since speed to market is such a powerful driver , and transportation costs at the last mile are a large consideration , I can anticipate a merging of third-party logistics companies with third-party manufacturing companies so items can be designed globally , sent via a file to the nearest third-party manufacturer AND logistics that can produce at the best total landed cost ( and customer anticipated speed ). The ability to do diverse manufacturing using flexible automated machinery and 3D printing technology will be crucial .
We already see third-party logistics firms moving in the direction of light manufacturing as their clients ask for increased levels of customization of product before shipping to the final customer . Perhaps , manufacturers should also consider moving towards the 3PL space as well . Amazon already has a patent on a vehicle with a 3D printer inside it to literally make the product while driving to the customer . How is that for hot off the press ?
Thus , I anticipate a merging of the thirdparty logistics and third-party manufacturing industries as the distinction between the two verticals continues to blur . ■
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