Manufacturing Trends
- Automakers, governments, utilities and oil and gas companies are pouring billions into hydrogen research -- more than $10 billion will be spent on hydrogen research over the next ten to fifteen years worldwide. This will lead to a mass-market set of manufacturing innovations, similar to the innovations that first launched the modern auto, train, and shipping industries.
- One trend that will continue: manufacturing jobs will continue to be shipped from large U.S. cities to smaller U.S. cities, like Wheeling, WV. The reason: these cities can deliver employees with a strong work ethic, and relatively low wages.
- With advanced manufacturing technology, businesses are able to deliver on mass customization. This is part of a broader trend toward faster, more specialized manufacturing. The customizing concept, conceived of decades ago, is to crank out one-of-a-kind, custom-fit goods at mass-production prices.
- Another manufacturing trend: market customization. One example, developed by Trek Bicycles, is where the company offers a commuter bike designed for the rainy Northwest, and another commuter bike, with more urban chic, for New York. The auto and engine industries are also doing mass or market customization.
- A few growth markets for U.S. manufacturers, as noted by Frost & Sullivan and other research firms:
- wind power generation units
- selected consumer electronics, including portable digital audio and gaming devices
- food processing that involves nanotech and biotech components and processes
Manufacturing & Supply Chain Brands
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