Manufacturing Executive - September 2008 - (Page 40)

The Future of European Manufacturing ManuFuture’s chairman calls for urgent implementation of new ideas and technologies to keep Europe’s manufacturing sector world-class. h einrich Flegel is a member of the super visor y board of German automaker Daimler AG and chairman of the High Level Group of the European ManuFuture initiative. In Manufacturing Executive’s first Dialogue with a European thought leader, Executive Editor Paul Tate asks Flegel about the state of European manufacturing and how the ManuFuture group hopes to make a difference. ManuFuture’s vision is to transform European manufacturing from a resource-intensive to a knowledge-intensive, innovative sector that can achieve and maintain leadership in the global marketplace. ManuFuture is a strategic European research initiative, backed by the European Commission’s DiHeinrich Flegel rectorate-General for Research in Industrial Technologies and is supported by more than 300 representatives from 23 European countries. impetus behind the creation of jobs in Europe. There is a certain “revitalisation” now under way, as a number of European companies are realising the need for local networks and a high-quality local workforce to manage and run their advanced manufacturing processes successfully. This is helping to bring manufacturing back to Europe. Europe’s big chance lies in understanding these essential framework conditions, in shaping them strategically for the future, and in developing technology, business models, and a cultural basis geared to global success with production located in Europe. The rise in energy costs supports this localization of European production, as it is in other parts of the world. now reconsider the costs of infrastructure in the different European countries and recognise the quality of local supply chains as decisive factors in their manufacturing decisions. Q: How can ManuFuture help this process? What do you hope to achieve? A: The mission of ManuFuture is to work for sustainable manufacturing processes in Europe, as these are the only guarantor for European economic well-being and prosperity. Therefore, in our view, the ManuFuture strategy is a must. We hope to have an impact on the transfer process that brings research results to industry in practical terms, especially to SMEs [small and mid-sized enterprises]. State-of-the-art in research is far from being state-of-the-art in many industrial processes right now. Academia often underestimates the scientific work necessar y for this essential transfer. ManuFuture has developed a method to evaluate such a procedure strategically, by taking into account the technology, the educational needs, and the requirements for new business models. This does not mean a devaluation of basic research, but, for sustainable processes, we need to aim at mid-term timescales to see results and put money back into European taxpayers’ pockets. Q: Has the expansion of the EU, especially into more Eastern European countries, changed the balance, nature, and prospects of the European manufacturing sector? A: First of all, new “local” European marQ: With the rising manufacturing power of Asian and other emerging economies, and in a climate of global financial uncertainty, how would you characterise the state of manufacturing in Europe and what are the major challenges facing Europe’s manufacturers? kets have emerged with strong demand for consumer and capital goods. This business expansion has led to a change in the landscape of production. I believe it has begun an important learning process that is helping Europe to grow and expand its manufacturing base. It also shows clearly the political need for shifting the “low labour cost” debate so that companies Q: Can you explain the main elements of the ManuFuture technology platform? Why are these elements considered so critical to developing a sustainable and competitive European manufacturing sector? A: Manufacturing companies are the 40 September 2008 A: The basic idea of ManuFuture is to drive the competitive shift from cost reduction to high added value through Photo courtesy: ManuFuture

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Manufacturing Executive - September 2008

Manufacturing Executive - September 2008 Contents Editor's Letter Opinion By David Humphrey Starters Road Trip Part 1: Innovation or Efficiency? Part 2: The Innovation Gap Opinion By Lisa Bodell Special Report: Great Aspirations Supply Chain: The New Money Machine Product Design: Fruehauf Gets into High Gear with 3D CAD Business Intelligence: Food Distributor Turns Up the Heat on Manufacturers Software: Manufacturers Face SaaS Hurdles Dialogue Opinion By Pierfrancesco Manenti

Manufacturing Executive - September 2008

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