Lack of suitable space and staff put pressure on the growth of manufacturing companies. This while the manufacturing industry offers many jobs for both low- and high-skilled people and plays an important role in the transition to a circular economy. Many cities have a substantial housing challenge and there are looming shortages of suitable business locations. In addition, digitalisation and robotisation in the manufacturing industry require new knowledge and skills, thus changing personnel requirements. In cooperation with several municipalities, Platform31 conducted an exploration into the (changing) location conditions of the new manufacturing industry.
Makers have their say
In this exploration, the new manufacturing industry consists of both manufacturing companies with entirely new products, production methods or business models (think 3D printing or a circular business model, for example) and established manufacturing companies with rapidly changing production processes due to digitalisation and robotisation. Central to all manufacturing companies is the in-house production of products or product parts. In this survey, the various manufacturing companies talk about their location wishes, now and in the future.
Manufacturing companies better integrated
"Unknown makes unloved certainly applies to manufacturing companies; manufacturing companies are not very visible in the city and many people know little about what these companies do," Platform31 writes. "This complicates the search for suitable staff and also ensures that many manufacturing companies find little support when looking for space. Greater understanding of the (changing) location conditions of manufacturing companies will enable municipalities to better integrate manufacturing companies into the city. This contributes to more sustainable cities and employment.
Making manufacturing companies visible
Municipalities can help in making manufacturing companies visible, both on the street and in the city, as well as in thinking about how the manufacturing industry can present itself to the outside world (City of Makers!). In this way, as a municipality, you can make an important contribution both to enlivening areas and to the conditions for growth in the manufacturing industry and the development of new ideas.
Seven recommendations
In this publication, Platform31 arrives at seven recommendations for municipal economic and spatial planning policy officers:
- Differentiate between types of manufacturing companies and their involvement in R&D
- Have an eye for social and societal value
- Bet on temporary locations but not temporary companies
- Dare to experiment within the Environment Act
- Make making visible
- Stimulate innovation through regional cooperation
- Have your say!
The report can be downloaded at this link.
