changing manufacturing environment?

Question

can someone give me another example "changing manufacturing environment" other than just-in-time, total quality management, activity based costing

Answer 1

Hana,

Many small maufacturers are experiencing significant decreases in business due to offshoring. While many owners credit this to lack of loyalty among large companies it is an extention of the trend that put many into business in the late 70's and early 80's.

At that time large companies realized that smaller U.S. companies could manufacture a wide variety of parts less expensively that the large companies could. They outsourced their internal manu operations to domestic small companies.

Now companies in the Far east can make these same parts less expensively that manu companies in the U.S. and so these products are being moved offshore. This is dramtically affecting companies that made a very nice living in the 80's and 90's and is resulting in closings and bankrupcy for some that fail to adapt to the changing environment.

Good Luck,
Dana B.