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PLANT|NEWS Next Generation study shows need for investment in future T enormous execution gap – the difference between the numbers of firms that recognize the importance of a particular NGM strategy, and the number that comes close to or that achieved world-class status in that strategy," says John Brandt, founder and CEO of MPI. For example, the study found: » 90 percent of manufacturers believe superior process improvement is important, whereas only 44 percent of those manufacturers are near or currently at world-class status in process improvements. » While human capital management is an issue, NGM data suggests few manufacturers are taking the initiative to address talent shortages. Sixty-nine percent of manufacturing executives have the leadership and talent to drive worldclass customer-focused innovation, but only 37 percent have talent development programs to support world-class customer-focused innovation. » Most manufacturers have the tools, cou r tes y of F V T C he 2013 Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) study finds that most manufacturers aren't investing in the strategies that will carry their firms into the future. The NGM Study was conducted by the Manufacturing Performance Institute with the American Small Manufacturers Coalition in partnership with the UW-Stout Manufacturing Outreach Center (MOC). The study measures manufacturers' readiness, support systems and resources, and performances in six key strategic areas necessary for world-class manufacturing and future success. Current data shows that manufacturing organizations that achieve world-class status in at least two of the NGM strategies and maintain industry-average levels in the other four areas are in the best position for longterm survival. "The study data identifies an Gov. Scott Walker visits Fox Valley Technical College's Oshkosh-based Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center. The center recently added eight new robotic welders. FVTC adds robotic welding lab to Oshkosh facility Fox Valley Technical College added eight robotic welders at its Oshkoshbased Advanced Manufacturing Technology Center (AMTC). 26 | / insight on manufacturing • technologies and business equipment they need today, but those tools won't meet the needs of the future. Only 11 percent of manufacturers describe their tools and business equipment as "stateof-the-art" and capable of providing long-term support for world-class supply-chain management. "Next Generation Manufacturing teaches us that small and mediumsized manufacturers must continue to transform in order to remain competitive," says Larry Blackledge, director of UW-Stout MOC. "In order to develop world-class manufacturers, it is imperative that nationwide organizations like the Manufacturing Extension Partnership continue to provide customized training and consultation services in these strategic areas." The study, conducted in 2009 and 2011, surveyed U.S. manufacturers nationwide. For more information, visit www.smallmanufacturers.org/news. F An inaugural class of 21 students is working with the new line of technology this fall, in addition to several other learners at AMTC who are using the high-tech equipment as part of their course objectives. The robotic welding technology builds upon students' marketability and value to manufacturers through expanded competencies in automation and programming. As speed and efficiency continue to drive business in a new economy, these skills ideally align with lean practices. FVTC's industry partners equipped the AMTC with these precisionlike welding units, including Miller Electric Mfg. Co., the Illinois Tool Works Foundation, Muza Metal Products and Ariens Company. The most recent graduate survey on behalf of FVTC cites a 92 percent cumulative graduate employment rate for graduates from all of the college's welding programs. November 2013 Collaborative degree program receives funding A University of Wisconsin System Board of Regents committee approved nearly $1.9 million in new grant funding earlier this month for the establishment of a collaborative engineering technology degree program for students in Northeastern Wisconsin. The funds will help jump-start a trio of new and collaborative engineering technology degrees, which were approved by the Board of Regents in July. Students in the program will be able to begin their academic studies at w w w.in s i g h t o n m f g .c o m