HOW THE UK METAL FORMING INDUSTRY CAN GAIN GREATER COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE BY INCREASED CUSTOMER FOCUS

摘要

Markets are opening up under the impact of globalisation offering opportunities for export but also bringing competition closer than it has been before. As companies strive to match market requirements customers become more demanding; they now want greater variation in product volume and mix, they want it faster and exactly when the goods are needed. This forces companies to search for new methods of manufacturing and the means of gaining competitive advantage. Industry has worked hard to become more lean and use philosophies such as JIT to help cut away excessive waste from their manufacturing operations. However the impact of globalisation and changes in customer demand has required the UK metal forming industry to become much more focused on their customers' needs. Being lean is no longer sufficient, companies have to be agile as well. The use of customer focused cells and a change in attitude of management and employees to greater flexibility are seen as ways in which companies can achieve greater competitive advantage. A case study illustrates how companies are changing from traditional manufacturing towards a leaner, more agile customer-supplier structure.