Manufacturing Executive - January/February 2009 - (Page 3) M ANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE DIALOGUE JAN/FEB 2009 VOL. 2 NO.1 10 14/ME LIFE IN THE FAST LANE European manufacturing thought leader Dario Castello, Ferrari CIO, reveals how technology is helping to drive the legendary Italian sports car company ever faster. With the prospect of continued industry turmoil and uncertainty in the year ahead, European manufacturers want to become more agile. But many face technology and cultural challenges in becoming so. INSIDE AGILITY POLL / B Y PA U L TAT E 2 0 / R O U N D TA B L E REPORT TAKING A MORE STRATEGIC VIEW OF THE PLANT In a meeting in Prague, MES software users said that, in addition to cost and efficiency benefits, the technology will play an increasingly important role in enabling agility. 26/SPECIAL REPORT / BY STEPHANIE NEIL 4 EDITOR'S LETTER PA U L TAT E Even as European manufacturers struggle through the economic downturn, executives should be training at least one eye on future growth prospects. 6 OPINION BY LISA BODELL More than a year after its bold acquisition of UGS, Siemens appears to have successfully absorbed the PLM provider. But the basic premise of the merger — the digital factory — is still in its early stages. 3 2 / S O F T WA R E / BY MARK HALPER 3 8 / S U P P LY CHAIN/ BY MARK HALPER UGS MERGER WORKING? IS THE SIEMENS + The new year — even an economically challenging one — presents a chance to eliminate waste, hone processes, and encourage innovation. 50 OPINION PIERFRANCESCO MANENTI Manufacturers need to examine their processes and communication methods to optimize their collaborative product development efforts. 48 ROAD TRIP Now That’s Service! Assembly Required Customers are evaluating German car seat maker Recaro’s plans to hand off assembly to DHL, but Recaro remains confident they will come around. 40/OUTSOURCING/ BY L AUREN GIBBONS PAUL BY MARK HALPER C&C Group centralizes distribution and deploys demand forecasting software to help reverse fortunes for brands like Bulmer and Magners. Like Budapest’s famous “chain bridge,” supply chain innovation can have unexpected beginnings. 8 S TA R T E R S - Supply Chain Déjà Vu - Of Mice and Supply Chains - Shades of Green - Can Cisco Sew Up the Turkish Textile Industry? - Educating the NextGen Process Pros 3 4 / Q&A/ BY DAVID R. BROUSELL A Conversation with SAP Chief Ensuring Quality Across Oceans Maintaining quality is paramount if you are using contract manufacturers. Avoiding pitfalls comes down to gaining visibility into supply chain processes and acting proactively rather than reactively. In May 2009, Leo Apotheker will succeed Henning Kagermann as chairman and CEO of the world’s largest application software company. In anticipation, Kagermann discussed software trends, SAP’s prospects, and his own future. COVER PHOTO: © Ferrari SpA MANUFACTURING EXECUTIVE magazine is published six times a year by Thomas Publishing Company, LLC. 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. J.E. Andrade, Chmn. of theBoard; C.T. HolstKnudsen, Pres.; R.J. Anderson,V.P., Planning.; E.V. Dillon,V.P., Mkg.; M. Peipert,V.P., Finance; I.J. Molofsky,V.P., Human Resources. Executive Office: 5 Penn Plaza, New York, NY 10001. Tel: 212-695-0500. Canadian Post Publications Mail Agreement No. 40010541. Return undeliverable Canadian addresses to: Station A, P.O. Box 12, Windsor, ON N9A 6J5. Postmaster: Please send address changes and undeliverable U.S. addresses to MANAGING AUTOMATION, P.O. Box 1156, Skokie, IL 60076-9794. ©2009 by Thomas Publishing Company. 3 Manufacturing Executive JAN/FEB-09
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