Bens de capital

Abstract

Investment is a key variable for any economy. To make the most of the multiplier effects investment creates, a developed and competitive national capital goods industry is necessary. Hence, all successful industrial policies have reserved some attention to this industry. The latest major innovations in this industry occurred during the 1980s and 1990s when microelectronics and information technology were absorbed. The rise of the so-called industry 4.0 or advanced manufacturing is in part a deepening of this movement. The purpose of this chapter is to bring some structural aspects of the capital goods industry together with some numbers that show its recent performance. In addition, the main technological trends are pointed out. These trends are especially related to internet of things and the development of the additive manufacture.