Welcome to the fourth edition of our KREATIZE newsletter: Cloud Manufactured!đź—ž In this issue, we focus on the following topics.
Market Overview
Manufacturing remains strong in Europe but supply chain problems could derail the recovery. We’ll highlight how several automotive players have been forced to slow production because of semiconductor shortages, and how 3 German companies hope to give US space firms some stiff competition in the near future.
KREATIZE World
This month we explain how the next generation hardware companies will be far more asset-less in their operations. We also discuss the Phase-Gate approach with KREATIZE’s Chief Supply-Chain Officer and end with a look at how hardware development could be entering a renaissance.
Innovator of Month
The company we’re featuring this month has received hundreds of millions in funding and seeks to become a leader in the e-bike sector.
KREATIZE Product
KREATIZE just deployed two new products designed to make our customers' and partners’ cloud manufacturing experience better. Learn how your experience with our KMS and Kaktus has just gotten even better!
Our Whitepaper
We are proud to introduce our whitepaper on cloud manufacturing, which is an in-depth look into the research and the business implementation of this disruptive technology.
Fun Stuff
Read to the end for the fun stuff that won’t disappoint! This month we’re featuring the manufacturing process for two distinct objects. One that you likely use everyday, and another whose legendary status remains a synonym of classic-cool.
Eurozone manufacturing continued to show strength in August despite supply chain problems caused by the coronavirus pandemic, reported Reuters. Shortages of raw materials needed by factories are increasing prices. Although the lessening of coronavirus restrictions has improved demand, the logistical challenges, material and labor shortages are hampering growth. In August, IHS Markit's manufacturing Purchasing Managers' Index (PMI) dropped to 61.4 from last month’s 62.8, but remained well-over the 50 mark which signals growth.
Europe’s biggest economies are beginning to feel the pinch from their fragile supply chains, warned Bloomberg. Germany’s recovery was signalled as being particularly at risk as its manufacturing sector reported material shortages from memory chips to basics like wooden pallets. Supply issues are causing problems for well-known companies from BMW to Siemens, with some speculating that jolts in supply could continue into 2022.
Porsche will be expanding its manufacturing and R&D facilities in China and Malaysia. Each facility will serve its individual market, and reflects the importance of each market for Porsche, reports Evo. Porsche’s new China center is going to be more than an engineering outpost as it will be focusing on deciphering the unique expectations of the Chinese market. The latter is Porsche’s biggest global market. The Malaysia facility will be a small manufacturing plant that will assemble models for the domestic market in order to avoid the high taxes imposed on imported vehicles.
Last week, Swedish truck maker Scania had to halt production of its plants in Europe because of a shortage of semiconductors, according to Reuters. The global chip shortage has caused delays in manufacturing and led several automakers (e.g: Volvo, Daimler, VW) to cut their production. Scania paused production at its plants in Sweden, Netherlands and France for all of last week.
German firms have entered the space race and are looking to directly compete with major US firms, such as SpaceX. Three companies are turning Europe’s largest economy into a serious player in the race to provide mini-launchers for the growing number of small satellites. Rocket Factory, Hylmopulse and Isar Aerospace are the three highlighted by France 24 in its report.
Find out what we're working at KREATIZE on as we take cloud manufacturing from the fringes to the mainstream! 👨‍🚀🚀
The Next Generation Hardware Company
Until recently, hardware companies have also been manufacturing companies by necessity. However, for some time now, the industry has been slowly shifting to a less asset-based model, with hardware companies beginning to explore different ways of cutting overhead costs by outsourcing manufacturing services.
Learn how Apple generates its ideas and develops amazing products such as the iPhone and the iPad in our second podcast. KREATIZE Chief Supply Chain Officer Zod B. Mehr is a former director at Apple and deeply familiar with how the Phase-gate approach was used to develop these storied products. You will also learn why Nokia thought the iPhone would not be a success, and why Intel was a driver of innovation for HP, Lenovo and Dell in the 2000s.
Hardware development is becoming less expensive and more agile. The speed at which products can now be made is astounding, with the technologies available to produce them becoming more accessible than ever before. According to experts, this is also fuelling innovation and investments in the sector.
VanMoof is an Amsterdam-based electric bicycle manufacturer with stores in Amsterdam, Berlin, San Francisco, Tokyo, Bangkok, London, Taipei, New York and Paris. Their e-bikes are considered premium and designed for city use.
How are they doing? đź’Ş
VanMoof announced that it had raised an impressive $128 million Series C funding round earlier this month, reported TechCrunch. It is a big jump when compared to its Series B from 2020, where it raised $40 million. Overall, it has raised a total of $182 million. VanMoof has also recorded steady healthy sales in the €80 million range for 2020, which was up from €40 million in 2019.
What are their plans? 🌍
As a result of this most recent funding round, VanMoof is expected to update its bikes with more custom parts and enhanced designs. More service hubs and stores are expected to be opened around the globe, as well. Online sales are also going to be pushed, as the company has the ambitious aim of getting 10 million people on their bikes over the next 5 years. A bold goal, as it currently has approximately 150,000 users, according to TechCrunch.
We’d like to introduce two new product features which improve our service offering. These upgrades strengthen our transparent, and quality driven approach to cloud manufacturing. ⚙️📊
What Are These New Features?
Kreatize Manufacturing Services (KMS) now features minimum post-process prices for all processes. Kaktus has also undergone an enhancement, and now benefits from an interface that collects Actual Manufacturing Times (AMT) from suppliers.
How Does This Benefit Customers?
As a result of minimum pricing, customers now have a more accurate market price. This additional feature also helps KREATIZE in finding suppliers faster which speeds up the delivery time for parts. Because of the AMT, customers benefit from a more accurate time estimation due to a better communications loop with suppliers.
How Does This Benefit Partners?
Minimum pricing allows suppliers to have prices that better fit their pricing model. With the AMT interface, suppliers have a more structured way of entering their data into the system, and a more streamlined way of communicating with KREATIZE.
We would like to invite you to download our whitepaper, “Cloud Manufacturing: Its Technology & Impact On Hardware Businesses.”
What is it?
It is a deep look into the research and the business implementation of this disruptive technology, which will become central to the agile operations of hardware companies. It is also a look at the challenges to its adoption, and how its transformational solutions are propelling its bright future.
Download the whitepaper to learn:
What is cloud manufacturing, and how it has gone from theory to practice
About the ongoing research behind this nascent technology, along with thoughts from leading experts
The key benefits of cloud manufacturing
The transformative nature of cloud manufacturing
The big influence that cloud manufacturing will have on the next generation hardware company
A Harley Davidson is a classic symbol of cool for many motorcycle, and non-motorcycle enthusiasts. Find out how this iconic motorcycle is made in this fun video.