The manufacturing industry is once again facing a period of significant disruption. The first industrial revolution of historic change in the late 1700's saw the industry transition from producing things by hand to producing things with machines.
The second and third industrial revolutions brought about even greater changes—mass production, major innovations in electronics and telecommunications, and breakthroughs in factory automation.
Now we are in the fourth industrial revolution, but unlike the previous revolutions, this one is happening fast and it's far more disruptive. New developments in additive manufacturing, augmented reality, artificial intelligence, and a host of other digital technologies are rapidly becoming a reality on factory floors around the world.
In addition, manufacturers are dealing with a talent crisis. Hundreds of thousands of highly skilled workers are on the verge of retiring. Thousands of new jobs are being created, but the ability to attract new talent is weakening as younger workers choose fields.