MOTIVATION
The economic importance of sustaining a strong manufacturing base in Europe is indicated by the fact that manufacturing provides jobs for around 27 million people, and produces an added value exceeding €1 300 billion from 230 000 enterprises with 20 and more employees (basis 2001). Some 70% of this total derives from six main areas - automotive engineering, electrical and optical, equipment, foodstuffs, chemicals, basic and fabricated metal products, and mechanical engineering.
ManuFuture-EU, launched in December 2003, provides the possibility to rethink industrial, business and manufacturing systems so that they become more responsive to product markets. The ManuFuture-EU initiatives are strongly linked with the process of the EU 7th Research Framework Programme.
GOAL OF MANUFUTURE-EU:
- Restore European leadership in manufacturing
VISION OF MANUFUTURE-EU:
- Transform manufacturing from resource intensive to knowledge-intensive
- Develop new business models and attitudes
- Strengthen links between science and economy
- Develop appropriate research infrastructure
- Adopt new approaches to education and training
APPROACH OF MANUFUTURE-EU:
- define research areas for 7th EU Research Framework Programme
- support collaboration between leading enterprises and research institutions in Europe
Mission
The mission of ManuFuture-EU is to propose a strategy based on research and innovation, capable of speeding up the rate of industrial transformation in Europe, securing high added value employment and winning a major share of world manufacturing output in the future knowledge-driven economy