While manufacturers have traditionally been hesitant to invest in their operations due to cost, a recent National Association of Manufacturers (NAM) survey of more than 500 manufacturers reveals that 65 percent plan to increase capital spending during the coming years. Where is the money going to go?

Experts predict most manufacturers will look toward revamping their facilities to adapt to the demands of today’s digital world. This adjustment, which many call the “fourth industrial revolution” or smart manufacturing, will move manufacturers from mass production to customized production via a digital supply network.

 …