For the past five years, Michigan Manufacturing Technology Center (MMTC) has had the privilege of performing onsite Technology Opportunity Assessments at the small-to-medium manufacturers (SMMs) across the state. To date, we have sampled over 10% of all manufacturers in Michigan. The first question on the 45-question survey is:
“What is the company strategy for technology adoption?”
and a typical quick follow-up question is:
“Who is in charge of your technology implementation?”
A common finding: Few manufacturers have a Chief Technology Officer (CTO) or equivalent role to lead their tech strategy. It’s worth noting that broader research suggests that Industry 4.0 has failed to deliver strong, economy-wide productivity growth in Europe and the United States [1], and that 70% of digital transformations fall short [2], indicating that strategic alignment may be a critical missing piece. The responsibility for sourcing, implementing, and maintaining new technology often falls to whomever is closest to the problem. This approach results in avoidable challenges:
- The selected technology doesn’t fully address the real problem.
- Tools and systems go underused or aren’t integrated effectively.
- Decisions are delayed or sidelined due to uncertainty.
- Projects lose momentum, stall, or require significant rework.
- Resources are spent without clear returns, and opportunities are missed.
- Teams may feel frustrated or overburdened.
Hiring a full-time CTO may be out of reach for many manufacturers, but there are other options. You can bring in a third-party consultant or a fractional (part-time) technology specialist to guide your efforts. Another strong option is partnering with your local Manufacturing Extension Partnership (MEP) Center—MMTC—which can provide education, support, and a roadmap for successful digital transformation.
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The Michigan Economic Development Corporation, in collaboration with more than 100 economic development partners, markets Michigan as the place to do business, assists businesses in their growth strategies, and fosters the growth of vibrant communities across the state.
