Does the Share Economy Affect Manufacturing?
The rise of the share economy—a wave of non-ownership spurred by companies like Uber and Airbnb—has become increasingly mainstream.
It’s driven by technology and a movement to live more sustainable, resource-conscious lifestyles.
It’s not just consumer products that are experiencing this shift—manufacturers and equipment rental companies are preparing themselves to meet these new demands, as well.
Consider “Power by the Hour,” an agreement that allows a company to lease or rent equipment for a certain number of in-use hours, buying the functionality rather than the actual piece of equipment. For manufacturers of long-lasting durable goods like heavy equipment or aircraft, this is a model to watch.
OEMs with dealer networks may also want to consider a shift in thinking that reflects this consumer shift.
Take Clutch, for example. Clutch is a U.S.-based tech company that substitutes owning or leasing a car with a monthly car-sharing subscription. Insurance, maintenance, cleaning, taxes, and unlimited flips are included, so customers can alternate between SUVs for family trips, sports cars for date nights, luxury sedans for daily commutes, and more.
On the dealer side, the Clutch software allows dealers and OEMs to offer subscription services efficiently and at scale. At the core of the platform sits a level of intelligence that understands consumer needs and matches them to vehicles, taking both the customer and the dealer experience to a new level.
Clutch is just one piece of the share economy puzzle that’s revolutionizing the after-sales service supply chain.
Source: Commentary by Gary Brooks, Syncron, in InboundLogistics.com