The world of manufacturing is being flipped on its head. It wasn't long ago when factories followed a tried and true formula: make a lot of stuff all at once and pocket the rewards of low unit costs. The more you made, the lower your unit costs dropped. For the buyer of your products – your end customers they simply got used to taking whatever you were making.
Enter the Amazon effect. Today, your customers whether they're consumers or businesses are demanding more. They want products and parts that are personalized to their needs, and delivered perfectly, just when they need them.
Manufacturers are responding in droves. Nike, for example, is now designing made-to-fit shoes online, and Levi's plans to introduce jeans that are customized to your specifications while you wait in the store.