The essence of IDEAL FACTORY are the 8 characteristics of the manufacturing concept ”IdealFactory@xPS”. In the center of the concept is an indisputable focus on technology – the basis of existing for high-tech companies. The challenge of IDEAL FACTORY is to develop a high-tech manufacturing concept that is aligned with and standing on the shoulders of the actual xPS, but goes beyond them to more precisely address the specific high-tech challenges, better and in more detail. 

But what is the ideal factory?

The ideal factory will be attractive value added. Both is important: Efficient and innovative manufacturing and an attractive working environment. Our proposal of the ideal factory gives you an impression of how you can connect the developed characteristics in a not any longer futurist high-tech factory. Pictures below are presenting these characteristics, that making from different perspectives and styles.

The following views are made with Google SketchUP Pro 8.0.

		[1] Front view of ideal factory in sketchy style: forecourt, entrance and production plant
		[2] Lateral view of ideal factory – colored with shadows. Innovative architecture of building, nice green spaces and well-thought-out solutions.
		[3] The top view shows the flow–oriented production and organization of the factory with affiliated logistics and the inside administration with social areas. The flow-oriented layout with minimal need for transportation between processes, a high degree of automation and a team-organization with an holistic responsibility and interdisciplinary competence replace the traditional  organization.
		[4] The ideal factory is marked by an operational level manned with highly competent staff with holistic perspective and ability to take responsibility. Solving problems or getting suggestions can be so much easier by going into the production and speaking to fellows and it is also one part of social-technical management. Double work, mal-communication, untimeliness and too much administrative inventory are a thing of the past.
		[5] Organizational exploitation of world-class technology is about joint optimization and it is about achieving excellence in the performance of technology system through the use of competent individuals. As an engineer, responsible for the production process, you want to know about the typical values of production with your ERP/PPS-system, anytime. Information should be centrally located and administrated, and electronically shared visually to the right persons at the right time on a need-to-know basis.
		[6] A vital part of organization competence is widespread business understanding, shared responsibility and ability and willingness to participation. Therefore the further education of employees should increase the level of competence and quench the thirst for knowledge. As a member of a cross-functional team you will learn and teach at the same time, that’s why the ideal factory is knowledge organized to get faster, smarter and with a better learning proficiency.
		[7] The ability to innovate and bring new products to the market place quickly is vital in high-tech industries in order to stay competitive. That is one of the reasons to emphasize the rapid innovation based in production of ideal factory.
		[8] A perfect product is not sufficient for the customer unless it is followed by an unique product documentation of its quality and the way it has been produced. That’s why there is the requirement for automatic and individual documentation for standardized products.
		[9] To become the best factory in the future there is a need to attract the best employees.  In order to be attractive for the employees it is not enough to offer the highest salaries. The best skilled workers, engineers and managers are attracted by the possibility to develop and use personal competence, therefore IDEAL FACTORY attach the value of attractive for the attractive.
		[10] The future ideal factory is a paradox if it’s not part of a greater whole. The factory must be integrated in as an essential link in its supply chain and also be able to quickly join new value chains as markets and network actors change.  By a “integrated supply chain” we refer to a much more proactive and thorough approach than the traditional supply chain function.