Collaboration is the key to facing new challenges
Traditionally, innovating in manufacturing has always taken place behind closed doors. But as the past two years have shown, sometimes market challenges are bigger than the capabilities of one organization – and the industry can only move forward by combining creative and strategic forces. We understand that change is necessary in these uncertain times and we support our customers to digitally transform their businesses.
“Manufacturers are like atoms circling around each other; you do yours and I’ll do mine,” shares Paul Bresnahan, VP and Head of Manufacturing Industry, Fujitsu Americas. “We need to move away from this defensive position and start collaborating to solve problems, increase agility and create more sustainable businesses.”
I would change this sentence to: Sharing experiences and promoting open development is already widely practiced in industries like software and pharmaceuticals. We believe that through co-creation, we can find efficiencies, improve quality and accelerate innovation in order to contribute to sustainable change. And there’s a lot to be gained for manufacturers taking the same approach.
While each company’s circumstances are unique, there are common economic and business challenges that manufacturers face on their journeys towards profitable sustainability and sustainable profitability.
Like responding to the unprecedented disruption of a global pandemic.
Internally, organizations had to adapt to social distancing restrictions, moving rapidly to a remote or hybrid working model. And externally, Covid has created interference with operations and logistics, particularly in the supply chain, while causing unpredictable peaks and valleys in customer demand.
“Everyone is facing new situations in the economy,” observes Tassilo Pilars de Pilar, Fujitsu’s acting Head of Digital Business Consulting, Manufacturing & Automotive Central Europe. “It’s created a huge need for change management.”
“By sharing common issues across the industry, we have a good chance to enhance the whole industry and optimize investment,” adds Hiroyuki Goto, Head of Colmina Manufacturing Solution Business Unit, Fujitsu.
