The discrete manufacturing sector is suffering from a talent gap that could harm the effectiveness of organizations, it has been claimed.

"Overall a lack of skills, business agility and access to accurate and timely information pose greatest barriers to achieving operational excellence," a study by IDC Manufacturing Insights has concluded.

Supported by Infor and IBM, the global research indicated that concerns vary between countries, with 722 professionals polled in the discrete manufacturing sector for the report.

Covering the Benelux, Brazil, China, France, Germany, Japan, the UK and the US, it found many businesses in the field are focusing on cutting costs and enhancing development in the wake of the downturn, particularly in western Europe and North America.

The white paper also noted that the growing complexity of the market is viewed as a particular challenge by senior executives, with 52.8 per cent claiming their operations are more detailed than they were five years previously.

A recent report in the New York Times highlighted the skills shortage in the US manufacturing industry, warning that firms are struggling to find candidates trained in advanced applications to fill vacancies.

Posted by Kate Griffin