Busquin launches debate on future of European manufacturing sector
Manufacturing in Europe has long been considered an industry in slow decline. Indeed, in percentage terms, employment within the sector has fallen to around 18 per cent, due mainly to competition from Asia and an increased focus on service industries. Yet manufacturing still accounts for 22 per cent of EU GDP, and with new opportunities in high tech production and nanotechnology, policy makers are keen to highlight the importance of a strong European manufacturing industry. That is why, on 1 and 2 December, stakeholders from across Europe gathered in Milan, Italy, for the Manufuture 2003 conference. The aim was to reach a consensus on the direction that the industry should take and the research priorities that would guide its future development. A general vision for such an evolution was outlined in a working document prior to the event. At its core was the concept of transforming the manufacturing sector from being resource based to knowledge based. The key success factors in this process were identified as being increased and more integrated research activities, targeted international cooperation, and an improved policy framework. Each of these aims was endorsed by EU Commissioner for Research, Philippe Busquin, in his concluding address to the conference, but he first highlighted a more fundamental requirement. 'There must be a vision; a strategic agenda. We must mobilise all stakeholders,' he told delegates. The most obvious approach for achieving this was through the establishment of a European technology platform for manufacturing, and Mr Busquin welcomed the 'significant interest' already shown within the industry for such a move. 'I think such an initiative could give new impetus to your sector [and] it would therefore be useful to create a high level reflection group in order to better define technological needs, research priorities and an overall strategic agenda,' said the Commissioner. Mr Busquin announced that he would be launching a three month process of consultation based on the final working document produced during the course of the conference. This would ensure 'the broadest communication possible with the various interested actors,' he said. He further committed the Commission to producing an action plan for manufacturing technologies, following the approach that has already been applied to environmental technologies. 'This objective can be achieved only through an increase in the effort of a sector working together, enabling a traditional industry to develop into a high value added one,' Mr Busquin concluded.