Make or Break: How Manufacturers Can Leap from Decline to Revitalization by Grichnik, Kaj; Winkler, Conrad; Rothfeder, Jeffrey;

Short description:

Praise for

Make or Break

“This book lays down a challenge for manufacturers: Rethink your approach, make manufacturing a priority, or settle into mediocrity.”—JACK DENNIS, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, Luxottica Retail Group

“Make or Break goes beyond Lean and footprint optimization. This is the book to read before starting to reinvent your next-generation manufacturing.”—THIERRY CHICHE, vice president of manufacturing, Michelin Europe

“I loved the extremely wide scope of Make or Break. It offers a wealth of concrete anecdotes, combining a socio-economic perspective with sound operational science. It’s a concise, easy-to-read guide that people in all aspects of manufacturing will find illuminating and instructive.”—WALLACE HOPP, co-author of Factory Physics, Herrick Professor of Manufacturing; The University of Michigan

“Make or Break is a timely and insightful look into global manufacturing that highlights issues and trends that every manufacturer must recognize and address to drive innovation and harness the potential of rapidly developing global markets.”—KEITH HARRISON, global product supply officer, Procter & Gamble

Long description:

Break the manufacturing mold--and make new paths to phenomenal growth

In a world of emerging markets, changing work forces, and accelerating innovation, manufacturing is once again a key corporate issue. Manufacturing expertise is a strategic competitive advantage, distinguishing winning companies (like Procter & Gamble, Lego, Toyota, Zara, and Tata) from those that have let their capabilities languish. It may not be easy to take back control of production, target sources for scarce (and environmentally sustainable) materials, and cultivate a motivated, talented labor force. But there are ways to do it; and successful companies will need to learn how.

The thought leaders at Booz & Company and strategy+business magazine have collaborated to create an up-to-the-minute exploration of a new era in manufacturing and the requisite strategies for success. Chock full of profiles of the best manufacturing innovations in every business sector from pharmaceuticals to autos to consumer products, and revealing the most effective manufacturing innovations and strategies, Make or Break introduces you to the forces reshaping the industry. The secrets are in this book, including how to meet such interrelated challenges as:

• Labor relationships and modernization
• Material shortages
• Career development of your workforce
• Expansion of variety
• Competition on a global scale
• Complexity solution
• Environmental issues
• Integration of resilience into your strategy

Based on leading-edge research, Make or Break is a book for leaders of the manufacturing function, but it is also for any corporate executive who wants to lead his or her industry-and for students and researchers seeking to understand why making products will, once again, be seen as the most vital skill set for a vibrant economy.

Break the manufacturing mold--and make new paths to phenomenal growth

In a world of emerging markets, changing work forces, and accelerating innovation, manufacturing is once again a key corporate issue. Manufacturing expertise is a strategic competitive advantage, distinguishing winning companies (like Procter & Gamble, Lego, Toyota, Zara, and Tata) from those that have let their capabilities languish. It may not be easy to take back control of production, target sources for scarce (and environmentally sustainable) materials, and cultivate a motivated, talented labor force. But there are ways to do it; and successful companies will need to learn how.

The thought leaders at Booz & Company and strategy+business magazine have collaborated to create an up-to-the-minute exploration of a new era in manufacturing and the requisite strategies for success. Chock full of profiles of the best manufacturing innovations in every business sector from pharmaceuticals to autos to consumer products, and revealing the most effective manufacturing innovations and strategies, Make or Break introduces you to the forces reshaping the industry. The secrets are in this book, including how to meet such interrelated challenges as:

• Labor relationships and modernization
• Material shortages
• Career development of your workforce
• Expansion of variety
• Competition on a global scale
• Complexity solution
• Environmental issues
• Integration of resilience into your strategy

Based on leading-edge research, Make or Break is a book for leaders of the manufacturing function, but it is also for any corporate executive who wants to lead his or her industry-and for students and researchers seeking to understand why making products will, once again, be seen as the most vital skill set for a vibrant economy.

Table of Contents:

Praise for

Make or Break

“This book lays down a challenge for manufacturers: Rethink your approach, make manufacturing a priority, or settle into mediocrity.”—JACK DENNIS, chief financial officer and chief administrative officer, Luxottica Retail Group

“Make or Break goes beyond Lean and footprint optimization. This is the book to read before starting to reinvent your next-generation manufacturing.”—THIERRY CHICHE, vice president of manufacturing, Michelin Europe

“I loved the extremely wide scope of Make or Break. It offers a wealth of concrete anecdotes, combining a socio-economic perspective with sound operational science. It’s a concise, easy-to-read guide that people in all aspects of manufacturing will find illuminating and instructive.”—WALLACE HOPP, co-author of Factory Physics, Herrick Professor of Manufacturing; The University of Michigan

“Make or Break is a timely and insightful look into global manufacturing that highlights issues and trends that every manufacturer must recognize and address to drive innovation and harness the potential of rapidly developing global markets.”—KEITH HARRISON, global product supply officer, Procter & Gamble