Two Strategies for Regaining US Manufacturing Dominance Available to Purchase

Despite US government policymakers′ hopes for a return to US predominance in the marketplace, manufacturers face the fact that the Japanese manufacturing superiority is largely due to better quality, cost‐effective operations, and rapid response to customers. A few explanations for the US disadvantage have been preferred (such as higher wages, unionisation, lack of lifetime employment, lack of automation, lack of existence of economies of scale and the dynamic effect of the learning curve), but all have been refuted. The researchers believe the explanation lies in the lack of emphasis on two strategies in manufacturing dominance: first, integrating quality control techniques into all operating disciplines, including design, production, and logistics; second, efficient utilisation of manufacturing resources including equipment, material, personnel, and time. This article examines the role of these two strategies in regaining US manufacturing dominance and reports the advantages obtained by nine manufacturing organisations implementing them.