Asia Pac manufacturers say they're focused on the basics
By Staff -- Manufacturing Business Technology, 11/1/2005 7:00:00 AM
Mounting competitive pressures are motivating Asia Pacific manufacturers to focus on the business fundamentals of quality and cost, according to new research from Framingham, Mass.-based Manufacturing Insights.
Improving quality of products and processes, managing inventory more effectively, and improving labor productivity emerged as top business objectives for the majority of the 1,600-plus companies surveyed. One-third stated they expect to increase IT investment as they seek to streamline operations.
"We were expecting a focus on cost reduction and improved labor productivity, but were surprised to see the emphasis on improving quality in products and services," says Ng Buck Seng, an associate director for Manufacturing Insights based in Singapore.
Top areas for IT investment include inventory management, demand forecasting, and systems that enable cost reductions in both manufacturing and supply chain management, Ng adds, with 93 percent of respondents citing quality and reliability as key factors in selecting IT vendors. Other investment areas include disaster recovery, Web services, and both application and server consolidation and standardization.
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