Manufacturing Sector

Manufacturing Sector

Brief Excerpt from Industry Overview Chapter:

Companies in this industry manufacture a wide variety of goods; major product groups include food and beverage, chemicals, machinery, transportation equipment, and computers and electronics. Major companies include Boeing, Caterpillar, DuPont, Ford, GE, General Motors, HP, IBM, Pfizer, P&G, and Tyson Foods (all based in the US); Nestlé (Switzerland), Sanofi (France), Siemens (Germany), and Toyota (Japan).

COMPETITIVE LANDSCAPE

Globalization has opened new markets and opportunities for manufacturers but has also created new challenges, including how to manage far-flung supply chains and distribution channels. Manufacturers have turned to digitalization to improve efficiency across every area of operations, including product development, design, production, distribution, and marketing. However, implementing a successful digital transformation strategy -- including the leveraging of internet of things (IoT) technology and big data -- requires careful planning and significant investment.

PRODUCTS, OPERATIONS & TECHNOLOGY

The manufacturing of gasoline accounts for 30% of the industry revenue, as well as the manufacturing of trucks, truck tractors, and truck and bus chassis (30%). Other major segments include light fuel oils (about 20%), complete passenger vehicles (more than 10%), thermoplastic resins (10%), and liquefied refinery gases (about 10%).