What are Manufacturing Industries?

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.

Learn more about discrete manufacturing

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.

Learn more about process manufacturing

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.

Types of process manufacturing industries

Process manufacturers share a common goal of transforming raw ingredients into consistent, safe, high-quality goods. They contend with complex formulas, strict food and chemical regulations, yield variability, and batch control. Digital traceability and efficient recipe management keep them agile and compliant.

Food & beverage

F&B manufacturers manage short shelf lives, strict traceability, and shifting markets. They coordinate batch consistency and complex inventories while supporting evolving food trends and precise safety standards for fresh, frozen, and packaged goods.

Food & beverage industry

Chemicals

Many chemical manufacturers handle hazardous materials, batch operations, and tightly regulated formulas. They manage by-products, shelf life, and customer specs across diverse markets, relying on precision planning to balance safety and sustainability.

Chemicals industry

Examples of manufacturing technology

Explore tools that enhance and connect data, machines, and teams across modern production environments.

Industrial Internet of Things (IIoT)

The IIoT uses sensor networks to continuously monitor equipment health, energy use, and environmental conditions. It identifies deviations, predicts potential breakdowns, and schedules proactive upkeep to minimize downtime and support both process and discrete flows.

AI and analytics

Manufacturers can leverage AI – including AI analytics, GenAI, and AI agents – to uncover inefficiencies, predict defects, and forecast demand better than ever before. They can adjust production plans on the fly to coordinate materials and labor, optimize equipment usage, and more.

Robotics and automation

Robots and robotic process automation (RPA) can be implemented for tasks that are repetitive, hazardous, or require tight precision. By combining robotics with sensors to automate material handling, assembly, and quality inspections, you can deliver smoother, safer operations.

Digital twins and simulation

Digital twins are virtual replicas of lines, assets, or entire plants. They let you model what-if scenarios, optimize layouts, and validate changes before deployment. Reduce risk and guide rollouts by simulating equipment usage, material flows, or recipe changes.

Additive manufacturing

Also known as 3D printing, additive manufacturing produces prototypes, custom parts, or low-volume tooling through layer-based fabrication. This supports design iteration while reducing lead times and material waste.

Augmented reality and vision tools

AR gives workers a projection, or digital overlay, of information such as work instructions, safety alerts, or part numbers. Coupled with machine vision, AR delivers visual prompts at key steps. This validates assembly integrity, guides quality checks, and boosts confidence.

Manufacturing execution systems (MES)

MES systems track every order, batch, and product as they move through production. They provide real-time dashboards for work-in-progress, yield, quality, and downtime. MES also links ERP information to the floor for better scheduling, compliance, and traceability.

Cybersecurity

Good cybersecurity protects connected assets, networks, and production systems from digital risks. Implement secure protocols, identity controls, and threat monitoring. And prevent disruptions, data loss, and IP theft in increasingly integrated factories.

Smart factories

Smart factories combine the above technologies to create plants that sense, adapt, and learn. They use integrated systems to minimize delays, prevent defects, and shift production quickly. Real-time visibility and automation are used to power efficiency and innovative ideas.

Challenges and trends in manufacturing

From pandemics to politics, the past few years have been nothing if not interesting for the manufacturing world. Opportunities emerge fast and must be acted on just as quickly. And challenges are growing more complex. Here are a few of the more commonly emerging issues in this space:

Challenges
Geopolitical conflicts, volatile supply chains, tightening environmental standards, changing consumer preferences, and rising raw material and labor costs are squeezing margins and complicating sourcing. And while digital ecosystems are essential in modern manufacturing, they also amplify cybersecurity risks. Cloud solutions that unify supply, compliance, and risk in real time help manufacturers stay secure, compliant, and resilient.

Trends
Every day, more manufacturers are adopting new technologies and AI-driven processes such as networked digital twins, federated cloud-edge architectures, embedded cybersecurity, enterprise automation, process intelligence, and so much more. And increasingly, sustainability and ESG metrics are becoming guiding strategies. Fortunately, integrated solutions are able to grow with you as you adopt new strategies and tools, meaning that data, systems, and people can work as one seamless, adaptive operation.

Industry-specific manufacturing ERP

Infor ERPs are AI-driven, industry-specific cloud solutions that deliver a single source of truth across finance, operations, supply chain, and the shop floor. Scaling with you as you grow, they help all types of manufacturers stay fast, compliant, and ready for what’s next.

Explore ERP solutions

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