MAINTAINING MANUFACTURING EXCELLENCE.

Almost 20 years ago, manufacturing companies had a lock on the -- American markets as well as a number of foreign ones. They specialized in batch manufacturing and mass production and while still inefficient, they were profitable.

Then lean manufacturing and Just-in-Time methods became the norm. Focus was redirected on quality, rather than volume. By the end of the 1990s; American manufacturers were once again on top.

"My fear is that we've peaked and now are starting to slide back," says Dan McDonnell, president of the Association for Manufacturing Excellen