EU seeks to revive European manufacturing industry

The launch of a European technology platform on manufacturing is
part of efforts to boost the EU’s ailing manufacturing
base. 

A European technology platform on manufacturing was
launched on 7 December 2004. Around 300 leading public and
private manufacturing sector stakeholders participated in the
launch event. The platform gathers and co-ordinates all
manufacturing-related initiatives in Europe and aims to ensure the
long-term competitiveness of the sector.

The high level group on manufacturing in Europe
presented its report at the same event. Its
conclusions argue that an economy based on service industries alone
will not survive in the longer term. Each job in
manufacturing being linked to two jobs in services, “the EU
cannot continue without a competitive manufacturing
sector”.

European technology platforms are major large-scale research
initiatives in key technology areas. Platforms bring together
companies, research institutions, the financial world and
regulatory authorities to define a common research agenda on a
specific field. 

The ‘MANUFUTURE’ platform is one of a series of technology
platforms, the primary feature of which is the renewal, revival and
restructuring of traditional industrial sectors. Launches of other
platforms on steel, textiles and clothing, and building are
planned. 

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