Today, there are almost as many devices connected to the internet as there are people in the world to use them. By most measures, approximately half of these devices are in industrial environments, collectively making up the industrial internet of things (IIoT).
Critical Issues: Manufacturing/Supply Chain
Critical issues are thought provoking articles relating to strategy, legislation, technology, best practice and some of the most challenging business topics in the world of manufacturing and supply chain information technology. The articles in this section have been contributed by leading vendors, industry leaders, research analysts, trade associations and consultancies and cover a variety of topics relating to the manufacturing, warehousing, logistics, transportation and distribution marketplace across Europe. They look at market trends, improvements in technology and some thought provoking comment on all aspects of optimising and improving efficiencies throughout the supply chain from raw material to finished product.
Other important topics covered in this section concern Health and Safety in Logistics with articles from the Health & Safety Executive (HSE).Taxation, government policy, climate change, recruitment and training schemes are all covered, as well as educational opportunities at various UK logistics educational facilities such at Cranfield University.
ERP and the Cloud - what’s the scoop?
Jan 30, 2020
With the ever-increasing uptake of Cloud solutions, Lumenia Consulting explains that it is constantly asked about how the various deployment options for ERP stack up. There are as many flavours of ‘Cloud’ as there are ice-creams, so Lumenia Consulting has set out the fundamentals in its latest whitepaper, ‘ERP and the Cloud, What are Your Options?’
Finding value among the clutter: how to harness unstructured data
Jan 29, 2020
By James Adie, Vice President EMEA Sales, Ephesoft.
Unstructured data, the term used for information that doesn’t sit neatly (or at all) in conventional databases, is a looming shadow for many businesses today. Rapid growth of technology – and the implications these innovations have had on our working lives – has meant that our ability to create information has vastly outpaced our ability to store and use it in effective ways.
Manufacturing jobs drop by 4%, despite salaries rising
Jan 29, 2020
According to the latest quarterly job market report from CV-Library, the UK’s independent job board, manufacturing jobs dropped by 4.3% in the final few months of 2019; the third quarter they’ve fallen year-on-year in 2019.
Tetra Pak launches first virtual marketplace for food and beverage manufacturers
Jan 28, 2020
Tetra Pak has unveiled what it describes as the food and beverage (F&B) industry’s first full-scale virtual marketplace. It adds that the new platform, created using Mirakl SaaS Marketplace solutions, will bring convenience and ease to the industry by making purchasing of products faster, more convenient and simpler for producers.
UK manufacturing exports fall despite strong demand for consumer goods
Jan 28, 2020
Overseas demand for British luxury goods, homeware and sports and leisure products helped an index of UK manufacturing exports recover from a seven-year low in the final quarter of 2019, according to Lloyds Bank Commercial Bank.
The strategic value of industrial data visualisation
Jan 28, 2020
Today, there are almost as many devices connected to the internet as there are people in the world to use them. By most measures, approximately half of these devices are in industrial environments, collectively making up the industrial internet of things (IIoT). George Walker, managing director of industrial data specialistNovotek UK and Ireland, explains how manufacturers can use connected devices strategically.
Automotive manufacturers need to switch gears of digital transformation to survive disruption, says GlobalData
Jan 22, 2020
From automation and seamless connectivity to personalisation, digital technologies are putting the automotive industry in a state of disruptive transition.
Manhattan Associates and IHL Group survey reveals the key to maximising omnichannel profits
Jan 21, 2020
A recent survey by Manhattan Associates Inc. and IHL Group has uncovered a strong correlation between omnichannel fulfilment maturity and margins.
Three quarters of companies in the business & professional services sector believe Brexit ‘will have a positive long-term
Jan 21, 2020
A new state-of-the-nation study into how companies in the business and professional services sector are prepared for Brexit, has revealed some 42% of businesses believe the process of exiting the EU is currently having no impact on their business at all, while 28% feel it has had a positive impact.
Manufacturing Critical Issues
The manufacturing industry is facing a number of critical issues, including:
- Supply chain disruptions. The COVID-19 pandemic and geo-political tensions/war has caused widespread disruption to global supply chains, and this is having a significant impact on manufacturing. Manufacturers are struggling to get the raw materials and components they need to produce their products, and this is leading to shortages and delays.
- Labour shortage. The manufacturing industry is facing a labor shortage, as there are not enough skilled workers available to fill open positions. This is due to a number of factors, including the aging workforce, the decline of manufacturing in some countries, and the lack of educational opportunities in STEM fields.
- Rising costs. The cost of manufacturing is rising, due to factors such as the rising cost of raw materials, energy, and transportation. This is putting pressure on manufacturers' margins and making it difficult for them to compete.
- Technology adoption. The manufacturing industry is facing the challenge of adopting new technologies, such as automation and artificial intelligence. These technologies can help manufacturers to improve efficiency and productivity, but they can also be expensive and disruptive to implement.
- Environmental regulations. Manufacturers are facing increasing environmental regulations, which are forcing them to change their production processes. This can be costly and time-consuming, but it is essential for manufacturers to comply with these regulations in order to remain competitive.
Supply Chain Critical Issues
The global supply chain has been facing a number of critical issues in recent years, including
- Labour shortages: The COVID-19 pandemic has led to labor shortages in many industries, including manufacturing, transportation, and warehousing. This has made it difficult to find and retain workers, which has led to delays and disruptions in the supply chain.
- Equipment shortages: The global supply chain is also facing shortages of equipment, such as containers, trucks, and ships. This is due to a number of factors, including the pandemic, the war in Ukraine, and increased demand for goods.
- Port congestion: Port congestion has been a major issue in recent years, as ships have been waiting for days or even weeks to unload their cargo. This is due to a number of factors, including increased demand, labor shortages, and weather events.
- Demand volatility: Demand for goods has been volatile in recent years, as consumers have shifted their spending habits due to the pandemic. This has made it difficult for businesses to forecast demand and manage their supply chains accordingly.
- Natural disasters: Natural disasters, such as hurricanes, floods, and earthquakes, can also disrupt the supply chain. These events can damage infrastructure, disrupt transportation, and destroy inventory.
