About Us

Our aim is to improve manufacturing’s role as a dynamic and positive driver of economic equity and sustainable development worldwide.

We serve as an open and independent platform, connecting stakeholders to discuss the main trends affecting the manufacturing sector.

The Triple-Helix Model

The World Manufacturing Foundation business model unites key actors according to the Triple Helix Model: an intersectoral collaboration engaging industry, academia, and government. The perfect triple helix composition allows the Foundation to have a 360-degree view on manufacturing, address the most significant issues in the manufacturing sector and drive positive change.

Five core values shape the Foundation’s strategic priorities and guide its actions, influencing every interaction with our stakeholders.

Sustainability

Sustainability encompasses economic, social, and environmental dimensions. We seek to take into account the needs of the different communities impacted by the Foundation’s activities while taking into consideration the needs of future generations.

Excellence

We strive to ensure that our approaches and output are in line with the best standards.
We continuously evolve in order to adapt to a rapidly changing sector, with the aim of improving our activities, and fulfilling our mission.

Openness

We embrace diversity, advocating acceptance and respect of all persons regardless of their background, gender, or ability. We value differences in culture and backgrounds understanding it is as a catalyst for innovation.

Global Approach

We have a global perspective, which attracts diverse stakeholders from different countries. We aim to bring a global perspective in each of our activities, showcasing stories and best practices from across the world.

Future-Oriented Mindset

Having strategic foresight of upcoming trends in the sector.
We are committed to serving as a focal point for stakeholders to learn about these new developments and guide their actions accordingly.

Our Goals

Expanding Knowledge

We support our stakeholders by providing them with useful information, good practices, and innovative solutions.

Promoting Innovation

We encourage our stakeholders to take future-oriented actions which will create business opportunities and strengthen their competitiveness.

Fostering Cooperation

We promote collaborative and inclusive learning modelled upon the diverse perspectives of our stakeholders.

Structure

The Foundation is led by its President and governed by a Board of Directors, which is composed of representatives from the founder partners. The main Foundation Bodies are:

The President.
The Board of Directors.
The Scientific Committee.

The Foundation’s President is the Chairman appointed by the Board of Directors from among its members.

The Board of Directors consists of a number ranging from six members, according to the Founders’ General Assembly resolution.
At least six Board of Directors members are always appointed by the Founder Partners.

The Scientific Committee is an advisory body of the Foundation and consists of a variable number of members all of them
appointed by the Board of Directors, who are particularly qualified and of recognized prestige and exemplary professionalism in the Foundation’s areas of interest, with particular reference to the manufacturing sector.

Institutional Partners

The Foundation also interacts with Institutional Partners which include public bodies, as well as related legal entities or publicly-controlled entities, entrepreneurial associations, chambers of commerce and cultural associations related to manufacturing which, sharing the Foundation’s aims, contribute to its activities and success. Send an email to info@worldmanufacturing.org and discover more about the World Manufacturing Foundation’s Partnership opportunities.

Ambassadors

A network of Ambassadors also works with the Foundation who agree to voluntarily endorse the Foundation’s goals in their own countries. Ambassadors provide support in activities such as the World Manufacturing Forum and World Manufacturing Report and the Back to the Future Project .

Founders

The World Manufacturing Foundation was established in Milan on May 21, 2018 by founding partners: Confindustria Lombardia, the employers’ federation in the Lombardy region; Politecnico di Milano, Italy’s leading technical university and IMS International, an industry-led, international business innovation and research and development (R&D) program.

Members

Confindustria Lombardia
The employer’s federation represents about 13.000 companies in the Lombardy region and has been involved in the organization of the WMF event since 2016.

Politecnico di Milano
Italy’s leading technical university has organized the WMF event since the first edition in 2011, with the support of the European Commission and IMSI.

Thanks To

In addition to its Founding partners, the Foundation also maintains partnerships with other key organisations which support the Foundation in different ways.

European Commission
European Union’s executive institution has supported the World Manufacturing Forum since its launch.

Regione Lombardia
The government of the Italian region of Lombardy supports the World Manufacturing Forum and its activities.

UNIDO
United Nations Industrial Development Organization: A Specialized agency, within the United Nations system, promoting international industrial cooperation.