Project

The adoption of advanced manufacturing technologies (AMT) by companies is a prerequisite for the modernisation of the European industry. Their adoption allows firms to increase energy efficiency and productivity, both pivotal factors for maintaining long-term competitiveness on the market and for preserving the natural environment.
According to the EU definition, advanced manufacturing technologies include:

• high performance manufacturing, combining flexibility, precision and zero-defect
  (e.g. machine tools, advanced sensors, 3D printers),
  

• ICT-enabled intelligent manufacturing, integrating ICT into production processes
  (e.g. smart factories),
  

• sustainable manufacturing technologies, raising energy efficiency, reducing emissions
  (e.g. process control technologies, product lifecycle management)

Although many areas of the European economy display world class manufacturing capacity, Europe still struggles to bridge the gap between the development of technologies and their productive uptake by producing firms. Overall many firms still articulate a rather low demand for advanced manufacturing products and technologies, leading to a deceleration in growth.
Against this background EASME tendered this study to identify central drivers and barriers related to the adoption of advanced manufacturing products and technologies by European manufacturing firms, better explain relevant readiness factors among European SME and contribute to the development of an effective policy to facilitate the adoption of advanced manufacturing products and technologies in Europe.