Mass Customization and the Long Tail

One way larger companies can address consumers' inceasing demand for customized "made for me/build your own" products and thus hopefully create their own long tail niches is through leveraging the internet and manufacturing technologies . And interestingly, at least so far, these initiatives require rapid, flexible response and thus US or Americas based manufacturing. The online presentation of

NEMO Equipment Tents

NEMO EquipmentA great example of the potential of the Long Tail (see my 4/1/2005 post) to capture a segment of a growing niche, ultra light outdoor equipment. Nemo, which has just launched its first tents which are incredibly light and are raised in about a minute. See the video. In addition to truly innovative design including air support instead of conventional poles Nemo has also presented