Factories of the Future - Preface

Manufacturing plays a key role both in advanced economies and developing countries because of the large contribution to the overall employment, value added, gross domestic product (GDP) and social welfare. Manufacturing is also a pillar for the tertiary sector, since manufacturing activities generate the need for services and in turn manufacturing provides products and technologies for the operation of the service sector. Furthermore, manufacturing is fundamental to guarantee national independence and security and to design the future of our societies. Continuously evolving grand challenges compel the manufacturing sector to innovate its processes, technologies and business models to continue sustaining the national economies and progress.