Automation decisions are often based on vague ideas that it is always good to automate and thus reducing manpower. These decisions need however to be linked to company manufacturing strategies. If we study the manufacturing strategy field, we can see that these decisions give large consequences in many decision categories. Articles on manufacturing strategy content have been written by e.g. Skinner (1969), Wheelwright & Hayes (1985), Ward et al (1996), Hill (1995), and Swink & Way (1995). Hayes and Wheelwright (1984) developed the content, in terms of decision criteria, as they provided examples of decisions characteristics. This article reviews existing theory on manufacturing strategy content and highlights the implications for manufacturing strategy process when adding more decision characteristics from automation.