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by Tom Cutler, Contributing Editor Posted on Tuesday, June 21, 2005 12:41:00 PM   | Abstract: | Many companies engaged into engineer-to-order manufacturing don't consider themselves ETOs and need help overcoming the sticker shock associated with technologies that could help advance the business.
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Most ETO (Engineer-to-Order) manufacturers do not identify themselves as such. They are conveyor manufacturers, custom elevator manufacturers or tier one automotive moldmakers. They represent hundreds of other industry sectors making one-of-a-kind big ticket items. Often family owned, the majority of ETO manufacturers are privately held. Most are not familiar with the ETO designation until they seek technology and discover that ETO involves a series of processes unlike repetitive manufacturing. At that point they may accept the ETO label to procure the right technology solution. Technology providers in the ETO space have faced an uphill battle to get manufacturers to recognize ETO nomenclature. The ETO Institute has been tracking and advising these manufacturers for the past two years. Some trends have emerged that may help technology providers do a better job understanding their market. |