retools

Retools is the plural form of retool, and in manufacturing and industry it refers to both the process of upgrading or converting production capabilities and the equipment used in that process. To retool means to modify a factory, line, or machine so it can produce different products or use newer technologies. Retools can involve changes to tooling, dies, molds, fixtures, robotics, software, and the control programs that run machinery. The tools and changes are implemented to improve efficiency, enable new product introductions, or increase flexibility in response to demand.

In practice, retooling occurs during product transitions, technology upgrades, or shifts to new materials or processes. It may require downtime, procurement of new tooling, staff retraining, and validation runs. The scope ranges from minor adjustments to complete line reconfigurations, and it is often planned in manufacturing roadmaps and capital expenditure cycles.

Economic considerations include upfront costs, expected productivity gains, and the time required for downtime versus the anticipated market benefit. Benefits of effective retooling include shorter time-to-market for new products, better utilization of equipment, and improved resilience to demand fluctuations.

Related concepts include retrofitting, line customization, and modular tooling. In software contexts, the term is used metaphorically to describe rebuilding internal tools or workflows; it is distinct from the brand Retool, a specific low-code platform for internal applications.