Google, Tesla Motors and Flextronics to speak at A.T. Kearney's Silicon Valley Thought Leaders Series event

PALO ALTO, Calif., Oct. 1, 2014 /PRNewswire/ -- On 2 October, global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney will bring together over 100 senior-level executives from the high-tech industry to dissect the interplay between innovation and manufacturing. This invitation-only event titled "Getting it Made: The New Wave of High-Tech Manufacturing" is the second in A.T. Kearney's Silicon Valley Thought Leaders Series that brings together inspirational leaders, entrepreneurs and executives from the Bay Area to engage in interactive dialogue on the challenges and opportunities facing business and industry.

"A lot of buzz surrounds manufacturing as we embark on the digital millennium of 3-D printing, out-of-cage robots, Internet of Things (IoT) and big data analytics. This symposium will examine how the impact of these developments will unlock new value and begin a new revolution in manufacturing" notes Clarence Chen, A.T. Kearney partner and operations strategy expert.

Mike Dennison, President of the Consumer Technologies Group, Flextronics; Jim Miller, Vice President of Worldwide Operations, Google; and Greg Reichow, Vice President of Production, Tesla Motors will join A.T. Kearney in a panel discussion to share their perspectives on navigating these shifts in manufacturing, and address key questions industry leaders are grappling with. What is the potential of 3-D manufacturing? Which industries will be the early adopters of automation? What are the main barriers inhibiting faster adoption? What unique, high potential applications and services are on the horizon? The panel discussion will be moderated by Clarence Chen.

Chris Richard, A.T. Kearney partner, and manufacturing and operations expert, comments, "The technological advances occurring in manufacturing are dramatic and accelerating. It won't be long before we see dozens of IoT devices embedded in complex, 3-D printed machines, optimizing both the manufacturing process and the user experience." This is not surprising given that 3-D printers and robots have dropped in price to the point where small manufacturers and even hobbyists can afford them. Adds Mr. Richard, "While technology is what will enable transformation in high-tech manufacturing, ultimately, this transformation will be driven by customer expectations -- for example, customers will increasingly want their products personalized and delivered in a matter of days or hours. The interesting question for companies is whether they can reconfigure their organizations, data systems, and manufacturing processes to respond quickly to these emerging customer demands. Companies that excel at this will significantly distance themselves from their competitors."

For more information on this event, please visit http://www.atkearney.com/web/getting-it-made-the-new-wave-of-high-tech-manufacturing/home.  

About A.T. Kearney
A.T. Kearney is a global team of forward-thinking partners that delivers immediate impact and growing advantage for its clients. We are passionate problem solvers who excel in collaborating across borders to co-create and realize elegantly simple, practical solutions and sustainable results. Since 1926, we have been trusted advisors on the most mission-critical issues to the world's leading organizations across all major industries and service sectors. A.T. Kearney has 59 offices located in major business centers across 40 countries.

To learn more about A.T. Kearney's Communications, Media and Technology Practice, please visit: http://www.atkearney.com/communications-media-technology

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SOURCE A.T. Kearney