2013 State of the Industry: Metal Forming & Fabricating Profile
An outline of the overall technology and trends, critical issues and industry insights for the industrial metal forming and fabrication sector.
Posted: January 14, 2013
An outline of the overall technology trends, critical issues and industry insights for the industrial metal forming and fabrication sector.
MAJOR TRENDS
(1) Growing use of fiber laser cutting systems.
(2) Wider acceptance of abrasive waterjet machining.
(3) Competition shifting from parts only manufacturers to parts plus value-added services providers.
(4) Increasing automation, particularly in small shops.
(5) Advancements in ease of use and ease of maintenance in machinery.
(6) Shift from managing individual operations to reducing total shop lead time.
(7) Growth in unattended “lights out” operations.
BETWEEN THE LINES
To examine the details behind these trends, issues and insights, review how these executives view the coming year and the competitive environment in the metal forming and fabrication industry:
CRITICAL ISSUES
(1) Public perception of manufacturing.
(2) Skilled labor shortage.
(3) Uncertainty about domestic economic conditions and government policies.
BETWEEN THE LINES
To examine the details behind these trends, issues and insights, review how these executives view the coming year and the competitive environment in the metal forming and fabrication industry:
INSIGHTS
(1) Education, government and business must reestablish a qualified workforce for manufacturing.
(2) Every machine purchase now represents an opportunity to gain competitive advantage.
(3) Competition now demands the integration of as much automation as possible, from job quoting to part programming to machine set-up and operation.
(4) Manufacturers must understand the root cause of what impacts their business and be ready to respond accordingly.
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