21ST Century Manufacturing Enterprise Strategy Report

Abstract : The 21st Century Manufacturing Enterprise Strategy is a vision and the beginning of an implementation plan, which a core group of industry leaders have developed. This group of 15 executives from 13 companies had the advice and counsel of over 150 people from 77 companies and 1 1 professional organizations in developing their strategic enterprise plan. The group strongly feels that this strategy will enable the U.S. to once again become the leader in a world marketplace if a significant effort is led by industry with the help of government and academia to implement the strategy and build the infrastructure. The existing industrial era dominated by mass production manufacturing is drawing to a close. It is giving way to a new era, to be dominated by agile manufacturing enterprises. The Agile Manufacturing Enterprise Forum seeks nothing less than the revival of American competitiveness through the adoption of agile manufacturing strategies. The developers of this strategy believe that U.S. industry does not have an unlimited amount of time to make this transition. We must begin now, today. What happens in the mid-1990's will determine whether or not the U.S. will remain a major manufacturing force, and whether or not the American people can continue to enjoy a high standard of living in the world. Government and academia must join in this extraordinary effort which U.S. industry is leading.