What are manufacturing industries?
From assembling vehicles to blending ingredients, manufacturing industries transform raw materials and complex components into the products that power modern life.
Manufacturing industries definition
Manufacturing industries can be defined as sectors that transform raw materials, components, or substances into finished goods using a combination of labor, machines, chemical processing, and industrial systems. This includes the fabrication, formulation, and assembly of products through both discrete and process operations. Whether powered by manual work or advanced automation, manufacturing typically involves repeatable workflows and quality controls designed to produce consistent, scalable outputs. These industries rely on coordination across design, production, and logistics to meet customer demand while managing complexity, cost, and compliance.
Discrete vs. process manufacturing
Discrete manufacturing
Discrete manufacturers build stand-alone things such as cars, machines, equipment, and electronics. They assemble a specific bill of materials (BOM) based upon a predefined configuration. These items are comprised of “discrete” pieces which can be disassembled.
Process manufacturing
Process manufacturers work with recipes and formulas. They blend, batch, and mix components to make products like food, chemicals, or paint. Once these products are made, they can’t be taken apart, so precision, traceability, and consistency are essential.
Types of discrete manufacturing industries
Discrete manufacturers aim to deliver high-quality, engineered products while managing complex supply chains, shifting demand, and strict regulations. To bring configurable goods to market efficiently and on time, they depend on accuracy, connected tools, and tight coordination.