If you thought information technology is the only means to future growth, think again. There indeed is little doubt that IT has come as bolt from the blue for the age-old manufacturing sector.

Now, though a bit late, concerns over the death of the manufacturing sector is gaining in prominence all of a sudden. A report quoting Vikram S Kirloskar, vice-chairman, Toyota Kirloskar Motor said on Saturday that the only way to counter the onslaught of IT on the manufacturing sector in the area of human resource was by emphasising on employees' value addition.

Lining up statistics, Kirloskar said that information technology companies today spend Rs around Rs 6 lakh per employee, who in turn generate business of Rs 50-60 lakh.

He exhorted the manufacturing sector also to take a leaf out of the IT sector’s book and follow suit by investing in employees.

Adding that the biggest challenge for the manufacturing sector was selection of the right kind of employees, he said that entrepreneurs should indulge in physical audit of both company and staff regularly to ensure success.