These photographs detailing life inside a Chinese toy factory are among the most interesting I have posted. I have always wanted to see inside a real toy factory, and now we all can.
To me these images bring up mixed feelings of sadness and fascination. It does indeed shatter all your childish hopes that you might see a row of Mickey Mouse heads, but we all have to grown up sometime.
Implications - It's probably a good thing that these pictures weren't released at Christmas time when lots of little boys and girls envision Santa's elves putting together the toys on their wish-lists!
Factory Phototourism
The World's Largest Toy Factory Is Free of Santa's Elves
Trend Themes
1. Factory Automation - The use of advanced robotics and artificial intelligence to automate manufacturing processes will help reduce the need for human labor in toy factories.
2. Transparency in Manufacturing - The trend of providing real-time access to production and manufacturing information will gain traction as consumers demand more values-driven companies.
3. Toy Manufacturing in Emerging Markets - The shift towards producing toys in emerging markets like China and India will continue as manufacturers seek to cut costs and gain a competitive advantage.
Industry Implications
1. Toy Manufacturing - Toy manufacturers can explore the use of advanced robotics and automation in their factories to increase production efficiency and reduce labor costs.
2. Retail - Retailers can leverage the trend of transparency in manufacturing to promote their products and increase consumer trust.
3. Logistics and Supply Chain Management - The trend towards toy manufacturing in emerging markets will require advancements in logistics and supply chain management to ensure on-time delivery and quality control.