Next Generation Manufacturing

Demo MPI's Benchmarking Toolkit

Every year (and going on now), The MPI Group conducts its Manufacturing Study. This study is known to be one of the world’s most comprehensive annual surveys of manufacturing performance data. But did you know that the data from the study is published in one of the world's largest sortable databases on performance metrics?

The MPI Benchmarking Toolkit offers on-demand access to three years of user-defined manufacturing performance data from U.S. and international manufacturers in a multitude of industries and across a wide range of performance metrics, including essential benchmarks for scorecard analysis, Six Sigma and Lean initiatives, and other process-improvement programs.

There really is no substitute for good competitive intelligence, and The MPI Group offers one of the most comprehensive benchmarking tools available today. Watch this demo of how the toolkit operates or click here to visit our website for subscription information.

Of Interest to Manufacturers

IDC Insights shines a light on Africa's massive and fast growing middle class, which is demanding all sorts of consumer goods. This market has caught the eye of many organizations as manufacturers and retailers globally rethink their growth strategies.

Businesses that aren’t undertaking Corporate Sustainability Reporting (CSR) are missing an opportunity to communicate openly with stakeholders. A CSR report is an essential piece of any responsibility effort, but getting started can seem like a daunting task. This article from The Environmental Leader outlines the first steps.

In this video from A Lean Journey, Paul Akers describes his approach to teaching lean principles of productivity improvement and what two-second Lean means and how it can transform your environment for a lifetime.

Who's the Boss?

Three out of five manufacturers could have a new chief executive in five years. According to new findings from the just-completed 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) Study, 30% of companies anticipate a planned succession of leadership in the next five years, and another 29% report that a succession may occur. The NGM Study data are consistent when cut by size of company:

• Less than $10 million revenues — 29% anticipate and 29% maybe.
• $10 million to $99 million revenues — 32% anticipate and 27% maybe.
• $100 million or more revenues — 31% anticipate and 33% maybe.

Given the pressures of a recession and spotty economic recovery, one could have expected an increase in executives looking to sail off into the sunset. But the NGM Study numbers did not dramatically change from two years ago, when approximately 54% reported a planned or possible succession of leadership.

Will new leadership at so many manufacturers in coming years affect the overall industry in the United States? If your company is anticipating a new boss, will it affect the fortunes of your company?

by George Taninecz, VP of Research, The MPI Group