The Next Generation Manufacturing (NGM) study was developed to better define the strategies and business activities necessary for world-class performance and success into the next generation. More than 2,500 manufacturers across the United States responded to the NGM Study, a national research effort coordinated by the American Small Manufacturers Coalition (an association of Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers and partners); conducted by the Manufacturing Performance Industry (MPI); and supported by the Manufacturing Extension Partnership centers and partnering organizations.

The NGM study sought to assess manufacturers’ awareness of NGM strategies, progress in implementing best practices to support NGM strategies, and success in achieving NGM operational and financial performances.

This paper, developed by the MPI and commissioned by Infor, focuses on consumer products manufacturers and the strategy of customer-focused innovation, exploring NGM study questions through the lens of those firms that have achieved or come close to achieving world-class status in customer-focused innovation and examining business areas where customer-focused innovation has potential to influence performance outcomes. Read on to learn how customer products manufacturers must rethink their CRM strategies and apply best practices and systems that will enable them to more effectively identify and satisfy customer demand, not only today but tomorrow and in years to come. By developing world-class customer-focused innovation, consumer products manufacturers take a strong step toward the next generation.