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by Jeff Moad, MA Editorial Staff   | Abstract: | Four manufacturing experts discuss the challenges and potential rewards of managing the complexities — and costs — of operations and supply chains across the globe. |
Manufacturers are finding that playing the globalization game these days is a bit like getting involved in a high-stakes game of billiards where the rules are constantly changing. Manufacturing organizations considering establishing or expanding operations globally have to worry about rising energy and logistics costs, looming quality issues, the rising cost of labor in places like China and India, and the shortage of qualified managers in places like China. That's on top of all the regulatory, tax rate, and IP protection issues that have always been out there.
How can manufacturing companies stay on top of this very dynamic environment, minimize risk, and maximize the rewards of globalization?
Recently, Managing Automation Executive Editor Jeff Moad met with four manufacturing experts for a roundtable discussion of these pressing issues. On hand for the discussion were: Larry Lapide, director of demand management at the Center for Transportation and Logistics at MIT; Tim Hanley, vice chairman of Deloitte and the leader of its U.S. Process and Industrial Products Group; Tom Dadmun, vice president of the Program Management Office at AdTran, a global provider of networking and communications equipment; and Kreg Kukor, who until recently was director of global quality systems at Cequent Performance Products, a maker of electronic brake controls, lighting, wire harnesses, and other components. Recently, Kukor launched his own consulting company, V-Web Partners, where he is president and CEO.
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