New Directions in Manufacturing

The processes and techniques of manufacturing have changed substantially over the decades and that evolution continues today. In order to examine the potential impacts of these changes, the Department of Commerce asked the NRC to design a workshop to focus on issues central to the changing nature of manufacturing. The workshop brought together a number of experts to present papers about and to discuss the current state of manufacturing in the United States and the challenges it faces. This report presents the results of that workshop. Key challenges that emerged from the workshop and that are discussed include understanding manufacturing trends; manufacturing globalization; information technology opportunities; maintaining innovation; strengthening small and medium-sized enterprises; workforce education; and rising infrastructure costs.Table of ContentsFront MatterExecutive SummaryPart I Summary of the Workshop Sessions1 Manufacturing in the United States2 Challenges Facing U.S. Manufacturing Today3 New DirectionsPart II Presented Papers: Manufacturing in the U.S. Economy4 Keynote Address: The Administration's Manufacturing Policy5 U.S. Manufacturing at the Crossroads6 Innovation and U.S. ManufacturingPart III Presented Papers: View from Three Manufacturing Sectors7 Trends in Rural Manufacturing8 Issues for Small Manufacturing Enterprises9 Drivers and Challenges for U.S. Aerospace ManufacturingPart IV Presented Papers: Manufacturing Globalization10 Manufacturing Globalization: Is the Glass Half Full or Half Empty?11 Manufacturing Globalization at United Technologies Corporation12 Insights on OutsourcingPart V Presented Papers: The Human Element in Manufacturing13 Keeping America Competitive14 Economic Challenges to American Manufacturing15 The Crisis in U.S. Manufacturing: A Union View16 The Human Component in ManufacturingPart VI Presented Papers: The Way Forward17 Standards and Infrastructure18 Collaborating to Meet Manufacturing Challenges19 Manufacturing, Energy, and the Future of New Technology20 Army Manufacturing Technology Program Responds to 21st Century Challenges21 Turning New Technologies into Products at Sandia National LaboratoriesPart VII Presented Papers: New Manufacturing Paradigm22 Manufacturing in a Digital Era23 Manufacturing Knowledge and the Arrow of TimeAppendix A Biographical Sketches of Committee MembersAppendix B Workshop AgendaAppendix C Acronyms and Abbreviations