by Steve Olson
First published 2012
American manufacturing stands at a crossroads. Public debate fixates on jobs moving to cheaper countries overseas, but the reality proves far more complex and encouraging. Steve Olson examines how cutting-edge technologies in robotics, biomanufacturing, smart sensors, cloud computing, and nanotechnology are reshaping factory floors and product development. These advances favor innovation and skilled workers over cheap labor. Manufacturing shifts toward smaller production runs and customized products reward agile companies and adaptable employees. America excels at connecting innovation, design, and manufacturing while integrating products with services. The country maintains tight links between research and production that create competitive advantages in global supply networks. Olson draws from a National Academy of Engineering workshop that brought together experts to discuss positioning America for success in this transformed landscape. The focus extends beyond simply making things to creating value through the integration of manufacturing with design and innovation.
Genres: business, economics, non-fiction, technology, 21st-century, engineering
Vibes: thought-provoking
Tropes: non-fiction
Setting: America, National Academy of Engineering
Period: 21st Century
66 pages · Paperback · National Academies Press