“ Reshoring production – manufacturers who had previously moved their production overseas bring it back to this country – is already a reality and it is now much easier for Britain to compete with lower cost locations on quality , delivery speed and customisation ”.
With regards to technology and the important role it will play in the Industry , Graham sees individuality as a key characteristic . “ Mass personalisation of low-cost products by methods such as 3D printing will enable everyone to become their own manufacturer and , increasingly , manufacturing will become more urbanised and less based around large factories with many workers .”
This will be embedded in a strategy where technology becomes customercentric : “ Companies that do well will be those that make use of ‘ big data ’ to learn more about their customers and use it to their advantage , to improve their products and enhance their competitiveness ”, concludes Graham .
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