In Part I "Learning from the Past" we explore the history of American Manufacturing. We are on a trajectory toward the future. We intend to show that trajectory by a short review of our recent past. In Chapter 1, titled "The History of American Manufacturing- Where it All Came From" we examine the impact of the First Industrial Revolution (from Manpower to Steam Power) and the Second Industrial Revolutions (of Modern Day Manufacturing Methods) on American Manufacturing. In Chapter 2, which is called "The Information Revolution in Manufacturing", we examine the impact of the Third Industrial Revolution that started after the 1940s and is still in process. In this chapter we explore the shift in manufacturing from Individuals to System Thinking, the growth of Lean and Six Sigma methodologies and the emergence of MRPII/ERP systems. In Part Two, which is called "Efficient and Profitable Customization", we take a look ahead to the future. We show how American manufacturing is only midway through these current trends and how these trends foreshadow the remaining topics in this book: systems thinking, the engineering pyramid, product configuration, configuration engineering and mass customization. In Chapter 3, called "It's Not about the Computer, it's about Systems Thinking", we explore how recent advances in Systems Thinking have helped to lower development costs. In Chapter 4, called "The Engineering Pyramid", we introduce readers to our Engineering Pyramid paradigm and a top down approach that can be utilized to increase the speed of innovation and dramatically lower engineering costs. In Chapter 5, called "Systemization and Standardization - They are Not the Same" we explore the current challenges of designing and building customized products and our methodology for top down systemization and standardization to increase the speed of innovation and dramatically lower engineering costs. In Chapter 6, called "Mass Customization", we demonstrate the importance of mass customization for the future of American manufacturing and describe how current leaders have made mass customization profitable in their businesses. In Part Three, called "The Human Component - It's Still All About the People", we look at the continuing importance and the necessity of people systems in the manufacturing process. In Chapter 7, called "Employee On Boarding" we provide an approach to bringing people into the organization. In Chapter 8, called "High Performance Team-Based Work Systems ", we tell you how to maximize throughput, profit and career rewards through an empowered team based work system.. In Chapter 9, called "Technology Transfer and Training", we explore how employees can learn the necessary skills for working in a highly efficient manufacturing environment. The last section, Part Four, is entitled, "Putting it All Together". Here, in Chapter 10, called "Taking Your Company There" we tell you who will be the winners and losers of this natural extension of American manufacturers. Also, we tell you how you will know if it's too late for your company. Sorry...some of you readers won't be happy.
About the Author: Albert Baker, PhD. Albert Baker is an internationally recognized expert in processes and techniques for mass customization with related advanced manufacturing technologies. His consulting clients have included General Electric, General Motors, Hitachi, the US Air Force, the US Army, and the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency. He has lectured at numerous leading research institutions including the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (USA), Ecole Des Mines (France), and Ecole Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne (Switzerland). Al Fischer Al Fischer has led global engineering projects with Procter & Gamble for over 25 years. During this time, he led global product standardization efforts and global rapid prototyping efforts to institutionalize agile manufacturing. Al is also Founder and President of Accurate Product Development, LLC, a company providing Speed to Market for the non-woven industry and Founder and President of Configurable Manufacturing Systems. Clint Lewis For over 17 years Clint Lewis was instrumental in the start up and expansion of many product lines at Procter & Gamble such as Pampers, Rely, and Luvs. Experienced rapid progression through expanded "traditional" roles. Clint is the Founder and President of Lewis Group Consultants (LGC), an operations and technical manufacturing consultancy with a business philosophy over the past 17 years that centers on "Maximizing the Merger of People and Machinery." Ben Moore Ben Moore is the Founder and President of Agent Technologies, Inc. a firm specializing in eCommerce 4 Manufacturing (sm) through manufacturing consultants and software applications. His prior experience has included managing global software projects with Procter & Gamble and leading the Pampers.com e-Commerce initiatives.