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Next Generation Manufacturing Study Provides Updated Scorecard on Wisconsin Manufacturing’s Global Competitiveness

Dépèche transmise le 13 décembre 2011 par Business Wire

Next Generation Manufacturing Study Provides Updated Scorecard on Wisconsin Manufacturing’s Global Competitiveness

MADISON, Wis.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Data from a nationwide study to assess the global competitiveness of U.S. manufacturers reveals that Wisconsin manufacturers are making progress in achieving the Next Generation Manufacturing capabilities that are essential to long-term manufacturing success.

“The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) fully supports this and has provided additional funding for the Profitable Sustainability Initiative to help small and midsize Wisconsin manufacturers implement sustainable practices in their businesses.”

Of the total 824 manufacturers nationwide who participated in the survey, 95 were from Wisconsin. The data provides an update of a study first conducted in Wisconsin in 2008 that surveyed 531 Wisconsin manufacturers.

“Next Generation Manufacturing refers to a framework of forward-looking strategies that drive manufacturing growth and profitability,” said Buckley Brinkman, executive director of the Wisconsin Manufacturing Extension Partnership (WMEP). The next generation success strategies are: customer-focused innovation, systemic continuous improvement, advanced talent management, global engagement, extended enterprise management and sustainable products and processes.

The study revealed significant progress in several of these areas; Brinkman noted that sustainability awareness has increased dramatically. In 2008, 33% of companies surveyed said that sustainability was important or highly important; today that number has risen to 67%. Wisconsin manufacturers have realized how important sustainable and green practices are to their bottom line and, according to Brinkman, are making progress in implementing green practices. “For our operations to remain competitive, it’s clear that more Wisconsin companies must commit to process improvements that also increase sustainability,” said Brinkman. “The Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation (WEDC) fully supports this and has provided additional funding for the Profitable Sustainability Initiative to help small and midsize Wisconsin manufacturers implement sustainable practices in their businesses.”

Another key finding of the study observed that 56% of Wisconsin manufacturing companies are likely to face a succession of leadership over the next five years; as almost seventy percent of the CEOs in Wisconsin are over the age of 50. (Twenty-six percent are over the age of 60.) “Planning for retirements and developing younger leaders should be a strategy embraced by our Wisconsin firms to remain competitive,” said Paul Jadin, CEO of the WEDC. “Strong leadership is necessary to attaining world-class status in the 21^st century.”

Manufacturing contributes $47 billion – 19% – to Wisconsin’s economy annually and supports about one in four private sector jobs. “Manufacturing is the driver of Wisconsin’s economy,” said Brinkman. “WMEP’s mission is to make Wisconsin manufacturing the best in the world, and Next Generation Manufacturing provides a framework and focus that enables Wisconsin manufacturers to succeed in a volatile global economy. WMEP is uniquely positioned to provide innovative support and assistance across all the elements of Next Generation Manufacturing.”

A Scorecard to Measure Future Progress

In 2008, Wisconsin was the first state in the nation to undertake a manufacturing study focused upon Next Generation Manufacturing success; the study was subsequently driven nation-wide by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (ASMC), the organization that sponsored the recent update. The 2011 study provides valuable insight into Wisconsin manufacturers’ response to economic pressures and their progress in adopting and implementing Next Generation Manufacturing strategies over the past three years.

The 2011 Next Generation Manufacturing Study was conducted by the Manufacturing Performance Institute (MPI) in collaboration with the American Small Manufacturers Coalition and the National Institute of Standards and Technology–Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST-MEP).

To download the study results, go to: http://www.wmep.org/research-reports/research-studies

About WMEP

WMEP is a private, nonprofit organization committed to the growth and success of Wisconsin manufacturers. Since 1998, WMEP has helped to generate more than $1 billion in economic impact and create and save more than 13,000 state manufacturing jobs, according to results documented by customers. WMEP receives financial support from the Wisconsin Economic Development Corporation and the NIST Hollings Manufacturing Extension Partnership. WMEP also partners with many public and private organizations to serve Wisconsin manufacturers.

For more information, visit www.wmep.org or call 1-877-856-8588.

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