Issue link: http://www.insightdigital.biz/i/389272
20 | I NSIGH T • O c t o b e r 2 0 14 w w w . i n s i g h t o n b u s i n e s s . c o m U P F R O N T CONNECTIONS B Y N I K K I K A L L I O I ndustry strategist Diego Tamburini of Autodesk is passionate about what's happening in manufacturing, following trends and influencing forces, making forecasts and helping to develop the kinds of soware tools that designers and engineers will need. He's one of the keynote speakers at the fourth annual Manufacturing First Conference & Expo, which will be Wednesday, Oct. 22 at the KI Convention Center in Green Bay. In an email interview with Insight Associate Editor Nikki Kallio, Tamburini discussed the new industrial revolution and what the opportunities and challenges for manufacturers will be in this new climate. What main idea do you hope to convey to New North companies? T he phenomenon called "the new industrial revolution" will have an overwhelmingly positive impact on manufacturers of every shape and size, and in every corner of the global market. At the core of this democratization of manufacturing is the fact that the means of production are accessible to more and more people, thanks largely to the digitalization of design and manufacturing, and the distribution and sharing capabilities of the Internet. e economies of scale are being disrupted, and now small players can also play the manufacturing game. ese new players could be better positioned to satisfy the evolving expectations and buying behaviors of customers, and to bring innovative products quickly to market. What do these changes mean for the many small- and mid-size manufacturers in our region? I t means that innovation is not an option anymore. Manufacturers must disrupt themselves and rethink almost all aspects of current processes, tools and results to remain relevant and competitive. Smaller, newer and more nimble players can come out from nowhere and disrupt your business. Manufacturers will also have to get extra good at understanding and forecasting the demand from an increasingly fragmented market, with new expectations around personalization, sustainability, and product life. Customers are increasingly expecting that they will improve the performance of their products over time with regular "over- the-wire" soware upgrades. ey are also expecting value-added services (such as proactive maintenance) from the manufacturer. What do they mean for consumers? C onsumers will benefit from the increased innovation from this fresh breed of inventors. ey will also be more empowered to get exactly what they want by directly participating in the ideation, funding and development of the products. New players may be better positioned to satisfy "the long tail of demand," and deliver products that are more personalized and unique. Mass production will continue to provide low-cost products, while mass customization will satisfy those customers that want more unique products and are willing to pay a premium for them. What do they mean for developing a talented workforce? T he skills needed to work in manufacturing are undoubtedly changing – unfortunately sometimes more rapidly than society and the education system can adapt. ere will be an increasing need for knowledge workers with analytical, collaboration and decision-making skills, rather than manual. Revolutionary thinking Manufacturers must disrupt and rethink current processes Diego Tamburini C O U R T E S Y N E W M A N U FA C T U R I N G A L L I A N C E