The history and progress of the manufacturing industry till recently has been described through products and technology. That's no more going to happen. Here on, the evolution of our great industry will be explained through transitions. That is not only more apt in terms of capturing the essence of the times that the industry is going through, but it is also more just and detailed. Transitions encapsulate visions and pains, dreams and fears, positives and negatives, milestones and losses, as well as booms and busts. Wouldn't it be far more enlightening and illuminating? Would love to hear your thoughts on this!
Obviously, the reason I am highlighting transitions is because our industry is going through one of them. Look at it this way - we can't describe the industry's journey through the development of automation or robotics or AI. These are at most tools, or by-products - albeit very fancy and sophisticated ones! They cannot change the market dynamics; they are either born through market dynamics or are influenced by the dynamics. What makes a difference is how the market responds to its own vagaries and that nobody can control beyond a certain point; and that too can be done only superficially. The market is its own animal and it behaves in its own way. But one thing is for sure! This animal likes hope if it comes with courage, and innovation if it comes with attitude. That certainly is in our hands. What say?