[General] "were to manufacturing industries"

[michael147]

The new standard agreements will be every bit as revolutionary for finance as the standardisation of grades of steel, rubber and bolts were to manufacturing industries in the middle of the 19th century.

What does the Bold part mean here? What's the connection here?

Your answers will be appreciated.

 

[billmcd]

The new standard agreements will be every bit as revolutionary for finance [STRIKE]as the standardisation of grades of steel, rubber and bolts were to manufacturing industries in the middle of the 19th century.[/STRIKE] ...as standards of the 19th century for grades of steel etc. in manufacturing were revolutionary for that period.
What does the Bold part mean here? What's the connection here?

Your answers will be appreciated.

b.