Powder Coated Tough - Spring 2008 - (Page 19) A ccording to market trend tion to the continued focus on lean, change their design, production predictions for 2008, challenges such as shorter product processes and product mix. released in January by EDS, a cycles, increased customer demands, Regulatory Pressures. Government Plano, Texas-based provider of IT the pursuit of lower-cost locations and industry regulations, including services to manufacturers, manufacand the race to new markets all environment, safety, corporate goverturers will continue to see an impact require that manufacturers move nance and product performance, are on their entire business model as the toward an agile and adaptive enterbeing enforced around the world world shrinks and flattens, and cenprise while creating a new culture of with different standards. Different ters of manufacturing activity shift to flexibility. standards have created a new criticalinew locations. Going Green. Growing demand for ty for data tracking, including a need “Manufacturing companies are natural resources including oil, steel to collect and report more informaforced to shift their strategy across and resin have created a new generation and an increased tracking of the board in order to thrive in our tion of environmentally conscious products. flat world,” says Ben Langlinais, EDS customers who are demanding green- Product Commoditization. While cusdirector of global manufacturing er products. These concerned contomers want products they feel are customized to their own unique needs, the industry solutions. “Agility and the sumers are forcing manufacturers to need for an adaptive enterpressure on cost and quality continues to increase. prise will remain a top prioriProducts are becoming comty for manufacturers around moditized at a much faster the globe.” In fact, the company’s No. 1 prediction is pace due to growing consumerism, forcing manufacthat of global integration and turers toward demand-driven collaboration. manufacturing. A press release issued on Electrolux already seems January 16, 2008, reads, in to have a jump on these part: “With accelerated globtrends. According to its alization to tap emerging 2007 Annual Report, in markets for new sources of order to create long-term revenue and benefit from competitiveness, Electrolux low-cost regions for production capacity, manufacturers are is implementing a compreexperiencing an increased risk hensive cost-cutting prolevel in their supply chain, gram for both production and purchasing that product development, the creinvolves relocating producation and management of new tion to low-cost countries alliances, and their global and increasing purchases workforce management.” Other major trends that EDS from them. The report also reveals predicts will influence manuthat the basic driver for the facturers in 2008 include, change is consumer demand among others, moving beyond for better products at lower lean, going green, regulatory prices. Every decision pressures and product comUniquely designed Nordson application guns spray powder over the regarding relocation of promoditization. e-coated insides of Electrolux’s washer and dryer drums at the Moving Beyond Lean. In addi- appliance maker’s new facility in Juarez, Mexico. duction is preceded by Photo credit Brett Ryden, Publisher Powder Coated Tough 19
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