When a company invents a product, it develops new processes, manufactures the first series, and takes advantage of its competitive edge to bring its product to market quickly. Once this initial production phase is over, the processes stabilize and enter the industrialization phase. The search for improvements to simplify operating procedures then begins, until the arrival of competitors pushes for a new iteration. Similarly, if there is little or no competition and the product is attractive in its own right, the customer will accept a product with few options and variants. However, as soon as initial enthusiasm wanes, or competition enters the picture, customization often becomes an obligatory evolution.
In a connected, flexible and agile industry, mass customization enables rapid adaptation to market fluctuations and new consumer demands. New production technologies – additive manufacturing, robotization, artificial intelligence, etc. - increase sophistication and facilitate customized manufacturing.