Today�s trends in manufacturing indicate that the sector is confronted with intense pressure to reduce costs, innovate products and expand into new markets. Manufacturing companies are shifting worldwide, spreading out and often fragmenting their supply chains and other operations well beyond their home markets. Major challenges include

• supply chain optimization while shifting production to emerging markets
• faster introduction of new products from R&D
• maintaining flexibility while shortening product cycles and shifting production to lower-cost locations
• managing the increased risks associated with fragmented supply chains
• more effective branding, marketing and customer support services