Manufacturing plays a vital role in European economy and society, and is expected to continue as a major generator of wealth in the foreseeable future. A competitive manufacturing industry is essential for the prosperity of Europe, especially in the face of accelerating deindustrialisation. This book provides a broad vision of the future of manufacturing, analysed from a system-management viewpoint and with a special focus on ICT-related matters. Each contribution presents a complex and multidisciplinary research domain from a specific perspective. The first part of the book gives an overview on technology: past, present and future, while the following topics are introduced in the latter part of the book: Product Lifecycle Management, Sustainable Products and Processes, Production Scheduling and Control, Benchmarking and Performance Measures, Industrial Services, Human Factors and Education in Manufacturing, Collaborative Engineering, and Supply Chain Integration. The book is intended to provoke debate, build consensus and stimulate creative discussion, leading to further novel research initiatives in the future.