Manufacturers Seeking More Flexible Factories, Shorter Product Lifecycles.
IndustryWeek (12/1, Teresko) reports, "Today's automation solution providers are working closely with their customers, helping manufacturers achieve their goals of more flexible factories with shorter product lifecycles." Furthermore, "machine tool builders are...developing a strategic direction to facilitate the factory of the future." Brian Papke, president of Mazak Corp., advised: "First of all consider the growing challenges inherent in future product evolution. As manufacturing proceeds into the future, we anticipate the growing rate of product change to continue, even accelerate." Papke "expects to see more and more production work coming back to the US" as a result of "new developments in factory automation." He "sees product design continually moving products toward a new approach to simplicity -- fewer, but more complicated parts." During "planning and projecting a new facility's product mix, don't overlook the most basic question -- concerning where the proposed factory of the future will be located, says Papke. His advice: Know your production costs, and before selecting an offshore site be sure to factor in the logistical costs and supply delays in chasing lower labor rates. Also determine the cost reduction potential of part redesign."
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