George Lawrie
VP, Principal Analyst
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Global Manufacturing’s Software-Led Reset: From Cost Advantage To Adaptive Manufacturing
We’ve been working on a technology investment forecast for global manufacturing with our colleague Paul Miller. For decades, manufacturers used to compete through scale, labor arbitrage, and optimized global production networks. But tariffs, geopolitical fragmentation, workforce shortages, volatile energy prices, and rising customer expectations are now forcing them to rethink value creation. Software-defined manufacturing, industrial […]
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Build A Minimum Viable Data Framework For The Agentic Supply Chain
What Is An Agentic Supply Chain? In earlier research, we described a vision for the agentic supply chain where agentic AI transforms the supply chain from laborious monitoring and reacting to autonomous, goal-driven agent orchestration that proactively delivers business outcomes while keeping humans in control of strategy, exceptions, and governance. Harmonized master data and a […]
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Manufacturing’s AI Future Will Be Decided At The Gemba
Like us, you’ve probably noticed that over the past two years, most discussions about AI in manufacturing have focused on what LLMs can do for engineers, planners, and other knowledge workers. Vendors have showcased copilots that summarize documents, answer questions, and generate content. Those capabilities matter, but they may not be where manufacturers ultimately realize […]
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What Anthropic’s Two Recent Announcements Mean For Manufacturers
In 2024, Forrester delved into the impact of genAI on smart manufacturing. But now agentic AI is also beginning to play a part in transforming asset-intensive industries. In May 2026, Anthropic announced the creation of a standalone enterprise AI services firm backed by Blackstone, Hellman & Friedman, Goldman Sachs, and other large asset managers — all […]
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Amazon Opens Its Supply Chain Empire To All — But Is It A Fit For Your Business?
Amazon’s AWS Playbook: Now Applied To Supply Chain Logistics Per ShipMatrix, in 2025, Amazon surpassed the US Postal Service, FedEx, and UPS to become the largest parcel carrier in the US by volume. Globally, it delivers an estimated 13 billion packages every year. After decades spent building one of the world’s most formidable logistics networks […]
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The Rise Of Modern Trade Agreements: Tariff-Proof Your Supply Chain
Global trade continues to be exposed to significant pressures and structural change. Geopolitical tensions, supply chain disruptions, and shifting investment flows are forcing corporate leaders to rethink their sourcing and manufacturing ecosystems. Meanwhile, modern trade agreements have become essential tools for stabilizing commerce and rewriting the rules for the movement of goods, capital, labor, and […]
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In Times Of Supply Chain Volatility, Logistics And Fulfillment Take Center Stage
Thanks to concerns about tariffs and geopolitics, Forrester clients are expressing a keen interest in the impact of technology on fulfillment. You might have seen that we wrote about the rediscovery of route optimization and the emergence of transportation grids in earlier research. But now our clients ask: 1) Are parcel freight and less-than-truckload (LTL) […]
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Honey, I Shrunk The Factory: Why Microfactories Matter Now More Than Ever
My colleague Paul Miller pointed out that the Financial Times recently published a compelling piece titled, “Honey, I shrunk the factory.” The article spotlights the rise of microfactories — compact, flexible, and often automated production units that challenge traditional manufacturing paradigms. While it paints a vivid picture of the trend’s momentum, it also raises critical […]
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Supply Chain Mastery Delivers Superior Earnings
Over the weekend, I’ve been taking a break from research and reading someone else’s for a change. I came across the 2025 Supply Chain Earnings Impact Report.
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In Light Of New Tariffs, Focus On Digitizing And Diversifying Your Supply Chain
The imposition of new tariffs is the latest issue shaping global trade flows. In the past few years, COVID-19 and the Russo-Ukrainian War demonstrated that the location of manufacturing greatly impacts national security, highlighting that companies need to diversify their supply chains to maintain an optimal balance between cost and flexibility. Learn which industries are most impacted and what they can do.
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Product Lifecycle Management Evolves To Underpin Smart Manufacturing
In the past year, more than half of manufacturers said they planned to replace or upgrade their product lifecycle management (PLM) platforms. Get a a summary of a three-step process that tech leaders should follow to help transform PLM.
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Prepare Your Supply Chain Applications Portfolio For A Changing Trade Environment
Over recent weeks, many Forrester clients have asked us how prospective tariffs might impact their supply chain processes and supporting applications.
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Leverage Collaborative Supply Networks To Achieve Supply Chain Resilience And Sustainability
Learn how collaborative supply networks are helping some enterprises navigate the “new normal” of supply chain risk, and get a list of resources that can help your organization.
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Smart Manufacturing On A Shoestring
Last week’s announcement by automotive parts supplier Schaeffler of plans to cut 4,700 European manufacturing jobs was just the latest in a string of similar news pointing to a growing crisis within the European manufacturing sector.
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Siemens Continues The Shift From Grease To Code With Acquisition Of Altair Engineering
German industrial conglomerate Siemens is spending $10 billion to acquire Altair Engineering. Read what this means for Forrester’s clients in manufacturing and beyond.
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Manufacturers Use Emerging Technologies To Find A Mix Of Factory Locations That Is Just Right
Offshoring. Nearshoring. Rightshoring. Learn how emerging technologies such as ubiquitous sensing, distributed computing, AI, and data fabrics are being used to determine the optimal manufacturing mix.
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Can AI Boost Product Innovation?
Not surprisingly, Forrester readers these days often ask about the impact of AI on product lifecycle management (PLM). The most typical question we get in this context refers to embedded AI versus generative AI. Should You Embed AI In PLM Or Just Add Bard Or ChatGPT On Top? Clients tell us that traditional AI analyzes […]
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Prove Your Extended Supply Chain Sustainability
Supply chain sustainability is a top priority. In Forrester’s analysis of the Fortune Global 200 companies, 61% of the surveyed enterprises have a named sustainability lead, and 51% have scope 1 and 2 carbon-neutral goals. But Forrester clients often ask which of the competing supply chain certifications is best for them, because there are so […]
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Key Takeaways From Coupa Inspire 2023
Last week, I joined Coupa’s Inspire event in Las Vegas with my colleagues Jeffrey and George. It was Coupa’s 10th Inspire event and the first big public event since it was acquired by private equity firm Thoma Bravo. A constant messaging that we saw throughout the event was around Coupa’s comprehensive and open platform approach. […]
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Use Sustainability Mandates And Investments To Drive Supply Chain Innovation
Five things you can do to position your firm for successful supply chain sustainability transformation.
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