* Nine Critical Issues Identified for Manufacturing in 2013/2014

* Cybersecurity added to the Agenda for the First Time

* Stronger Focus on Manufacturing Advocacy

* Innovative, Adaptable, Transformative Technologies Key to the Industry's Future

* Changing Workforce Issues Continue to Cause Concern

MOUNTAIN VIEW, California, Aug. 13, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The Manufacturing Leadership Council | Frost & Sullivan, a global business network for senior industrial executives, today announced a new Critical Issues Agenda for 2013/2014. This "Agenda for Progress" identifies the most vital issues facing the global manufacturing industry over the next 12 months.

This year the Council added cybersecurity to the agenda for the first time, reflecting the growing importance of digital security concerns across the increasingly automated manufacturing sector. Council members also strengthened their focus on manufacturing advocacy for 2013/1024, aiming to highlight the economic, social and innovative role of the manufacturing sector among governments, associations, academia and the next generation workforce.

The full 2013/2014 Manufacturing Leadership Council Critical Issues Agenda includes:

• The Adaptive Organization
• Cybersecurity
• Factories of the Future
• The Innovation Enterprise
• Manufacturing Advocacy
• Leadership and the Changing Workforce
• Redefining the Supply Chain
• Sustainability
• Transformative Technologies

Please visit http://bit.ly/1cZBENk for full details on the agenda.

The industry-driven Critical Issues Agenda for manufacturing is the result of an extensive consultation process with more than 100 senior executive members of the Manufacturing Leadership Council and the Manufacturing Leadership Board of Governors.

The Critical Issues Agenda covers topical concerns and long-term trends, and provides a unique, forward-looking framework for industry debate. It also sets a clear focus for all of the Manufacturing Leadership Council's key content development activities and executive programs for the year ahead.

"The Manufacturing Leadership Council's Critical Issues Agenda is a clear statement of the most important business, managerial, organizational, and technology issues facing the manufacturing industry," said Vice President and Editorial Director David R. Brousell of the Manufacturing Leadership Council. "This agenda enables the council to focus on developing thought-provoking research, insightful articles, and best practices to enable manufacturers to deal with these issues in substantive ways."

About The Manufacturing Leadership Council

The Manufacturing Leadership Council, part of Frost & Sullivan, is the world's first member-driven, global business leadership network dedicated to senior executives in the manufacturing industry.  The Manufacturing Leadership Council's mission is to help senior executives define and shape a better future for themselves, their organizations, and the industry at large. The Council produces an extensive portfolio of leadership networking, information and professional development products, programs, and services  - including the Manufacturing Leadership Community Website, an online global business network with over 5,800 members around the world; the Manufacturing Leadership Council, an invitation-only executive organization of over 100 members; the annual Manufacturing Leadership Summit – Bold Ideas for a Better Future (June 3-5, 2014 The Breakers, Palm Beach, Fl.); the Manufacturing Leadership Awards, celebrating industry achievement; and the thought-leading publication, the Manufacturing Leadership Journal. More information on www.ManufacturingLeadershipCommunity.com and www.MLCouncil.com.

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Contact:
Mireya Espinoza
Corporate Communications – North America
P: +1.210.247.3870
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E: mireya.espinoza@frost.com

SOURCE Frost & Sullivan