The article deals with the possibilities of CAPP utilization as a tool for the development of competitiveness between mechanical engineering enterprises within European countries. The process planning activities are significant for company flexibility, product delivery time to market and competitive advantage of enterprise. The process planning system inside an industrial plant is therefore important tool for increasing of product quality, efficiency and also its profit. Nowadays, in many East European countries, it is needful to use the strategy of Product & Manufacturing Design for application of modern processes along with using computer aid of process planning. When designing the new product, the aim is to secure or increase its technical value not only by systematization of the production process but also by increasing the level of the supporting tools for the rational processing of the production documentation and data needed for planning. Described principles of CAPP system, newly designed by authors, could be the first step to the company's competitiveness increasing and also to its integration to "Industry 4.0".