Resources: Archives — Past Meetings 2004

SEPTEMBER 22, 2004

Becoming a Design Factory:

The Blueprint for Competitive Advantage through Lean Product Development

Manufacturers face intense global competition that has changed the way these companies must compete. There is a greater recognition that the heart and soul of a manufacturing company is the product, not the factory.

There must be greater focus on product innovation and quality to remain competitive. For many manufacturers, this requires a revolution in their product development process -- a process that for many is not even well defined or documented.

Manufacturers can become design factories through lean product development that translate customer needs into product innovatively and quickly. The design factory is a blueprint for a manufacturer's product development process optimized for its current business objectives. It is an investment in people, process and technology that delivers sustainable competitive advantage.

Manufacturers must use every asset in the world to deliver their products efficiently and at low cost. Are you making the right investments to be competitive? Are you a design factory?

Presenter: Joseph B. Costello, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, think3

Highly regarded for his business acumen and bold moves in the high-tech industry, Joe Costello is making history again, leading think3's mission to revolutionize the product development process of mid-size manufacturing companies.

Before taking over the helm at think3, Joe served as President and CEO of Cadence Design Systems Inc. for more than a decade, where he built it into a billion dollar company.

Joe holds a Bachelor's Degree in Mathematics and Physics from Harvey Mudd College, and Master's Degrees in Physics from Yale University and the University of California, Berkeley.

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