Lessons for implementing AMT - Some case experiences with CNC in Australia, Britain and Canada

With increasing global competition for manufacturers, interest has grown am ong researchers and practitioners in the role of advanced manufacturing tec hnologies (AMT) in assisting firms to maintain their competitive edge. To c ontribute to the debate, this paper presents three case studies, one each f rom Australia, Britain and Canada, of companies investing in one type of AM T, computer numerical controlled (CNC) machines. The findings reported in t his paper draw on the experiences of companies in developed economies but w hich are geographically dispersed and have different histories of industria lisation. Nevertheless when it comes to implementing AMT, there ave Jar mor e similarities than differences in their experiences The message is that fo r successful implementation of AMT, companies need to ensure that a broad, market driven perspective is taken to these investments, that attention is given to integration across systems and that people issues require as much attention as those directly relating to the actual technology.