Manufacturing Revolution

For a manufacturing enterprise to succeed in this currentvolatile economic environment, a revolution is needed inrestructuring its three main components: product design, manufacturing, and business model. The Global ManufacturingRevolution is the first book to focus on these issues. Based onthe author's long-standing course work at the University ofMichigan, this unique volume proposes new technologies and newbusiness strategies that can increase an enterprise's speed ofresponsiveness to volatile markets, as well as enhance theintegration of its own engineering and business.

Introduced here are innovations to the entire manufacturingculture:

• An original approach to the analysis of manufacturingparadigms

• Suggested methods for developing creativity in productdesign

• A quantitative analysis of manufacturing systemconfigurations

• A new manufacturing "reconfigurable" paradigm, in which thespeed of responsiveness is the prime business goal

• An original approach to using information technology forworkforce empowerment

The book also offers analysis and original models of previousmanufacturing paradigms' technical and businessdimensions--including mass production and masscustomization--in order to fully explain the currentrevolution in global manufacturing enterprises. In addition, 200original illustrations and pictures help to clarify the topics.

Globalization is creating both opportunities and challenges forcompanies that manufacture durable goods. The tools, theories, andcase studies in this volume will be invaluable to engineerspursuing leadership careers in the manufacturing industry, as wellas to leaders of global enterprises and business students who aremotivated to lead manufacturing enterprises and ensure theirgrowth.