Global manufacturing executives, increasingly optimistic about the outlook for business over the next two years despite austerity measures, have looked to cost management and innovation for growth, according to a KPMG study.

The study, the 2012 Global Manufacturing Outlook: Fostering Growth Through Innovation, polled 241 senior, global manufacturing executives in order to determine the potential growth model for the sector in coming years.

Read KPMG survey: Manufacturers focused on cost management, innovation for growth

The highly regarded and long-successful Toyota Production System often referred to as “Lean”, has been attempted by many industries throughout the world. Those who have realized positive results recognize the need to develop an approach that encompasses both operational and cultural change.

Leaders that value their associates as assets and demonstrate these values as part of their culture achieve stronger performance and financial metrics. Conversely, when leadership undervalues culture the organization is less competitive.

The city of Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, is looking to catch up with New York City and the District of Columbia in terms of energy efficiency benchmarking, as legislation was introduced to the local government to control usage levels in the metropolis.

The Naked City reported that councilwoman Blondell Reynolds-Brown introduced a bill to the city council that would require benchmarking of energy and water use for nonresidential buildings or properties of 25,000-square feet or more in Philadelphia. The proposed legislation is similar to what New York City and Washington, D.C. enacted in order to curb emissions and cut usage levels.

Read Philadelphia looking to lead in energy efficiency benchmarking push

DVIRC’s role is to connect area manufacturers with potential business opportunities to help drive revenue growth. As U.S. manufacturing is critical to the national economy, we receive new business opportunities through our affiliation with the Department of Commerce and other private / public partnerships.

The DVIRC is a network center under the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Manufacturing Extension Partnership (NIST / MEP) under the U.S. Department of Commerce. In support of Buy American and Buy America provisions are a range of federal procurements, including those funded by the American Reinvestment and Recovery Act (ARRA).

The Energy Efficient Buildings Hub (EEB Hub) at the Philadelphia Navy Yard is a five-year collaboration of more than 90 organizations that have secured $130 million from four federal agencies to improve energy efficiency in buildings and set a model for the nation. The Hub is a potentially game-changing national program that promises to reinvent the building retrofit market, creating large-scale market opportunities for manufacturers and highly valued jobs for our region. But we need to know more about you, which will help us figure out if your company can connect to some of the Hub’s emerging business and technology development opportunities. To get started please take ten minutes to complete a brief business questionnaire.

Read about Energy Efficient Buildings Hub