Setting Manufacturing Footprint Strategy is Continuous

Why lean and offshoring are not enough is the first topic Paul Christodoulou of Cambridge University's Institute for Manufacturing is addressing. Problem is: manufacturing networks are inherited, not designed - M&A and other issues have created them. Can save 30-45% of landed cost by optimizing the manufacturing footprint - can also access growing markets. However, it's not easy to do - moving manufacturing often does not work (skills, supply chain, risk to IP and macroeconomics). What leaders are doing shows variety: some outsource production, some focus there - with or without offshoring. So single approach to footprint strategy from Cambridge from plant thinking to network thinking - simple 4 questions: Why, what, where and how. Working for companies in many industries. Need to check out the Sealed Air example on the web.