Abstract
The production of personalized products using sustainable manufacturing systems and processes and the subsequent distribution along a green and sustainable supply chain present one of the major challenges for the future in production research. In this article the concept of distributed manufacturing systems and networks is presented as a possible approach for more sustainable manufacturing and supply chains. Such manufacturing systems allow localized manufacturing and therefore a shortening of supply chains becoming more energy and resource efficient. The consideration of sustainability is carried out according to the four dimensions of sustainability, which are economic, ecological, social, and institutional sustainability. © 2017 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.