After a stable 2019, GfK experts expect for the global market for technical consumer goods a value growth of +2.5 percent in 2020. Telecoms, Small Domestic Appliances and Major Domestic Appliances will drive the growth.
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.
NORD: Condition monitoring for predictive maintenance concepts
Dec 31, 2019
The system from NORD DRIVESYSTEMS regularly or permanently records drive and status data in order to optimise the operational safety and efficiency of machines and plants. Based on this information, concepts for predictive maintenance can also be developed.
Experts create clean cold research hub to meet global challenge
Dec 28, 2019
Led by UK Universities, multi-disciplinary researchers from around the globe are joining forces in an innovative new research centre aimed at speeding up the use of radical new cooling solution to help small-holder farmers, medicine suppliers and others make the most of clean and sustainable chilled distribution systems.
Priority Software Recognized in 2019 Gartner Market Guide for Service-Centric Cloud ERP Solutions
Dec 28, 2019
Priority Software Ltd.has announced that it has been recognized as a Representative Vendor in Gartner’s 2019 Market Guide for Service-Centric Cloud ERP Solutions1, marking the second consecutive year that Priority has been named in this industry report.
South African ICT Company Connor Data Breach Exposes User Activity and Personal Identifiable Information Data– Including Browsing History of Pornography
Dec 26, 2019
Led by cybersecurity analysts Noam Rotem and Ran Locar, vpnMentor`s research team discovered a data breach in a database belonging to South Africa ICT company, Conor. The breached database contained daily logs of user activity by customers of ISPs using web filtering software built by Conor.
Salaries set to increase as UK firms shrug off Brexit for the first time in two years
Dec 25, 2019
Professional salaries in the UK are expected to increase by at least 3% in 2020 – following two years of pay freezes. With over half of UK professionals believing that their pay is not an accurate reflection of the work they do – news of salary increases above 2020 inflation rates (1.94%) will be warmly welcomed.
The secret to engaging young adults (18-24s) online? Personalisation
Dec 24, 2019
18-24-year-olds (44%) are more likely to be influenced to buy a product or service online if they’re given a personalised offer, compared to those aged over 55 (24%), research has revealed. However, while it’s been established that the younger generation is influenced by a more bespoke approach, a shocking 57% of all those surveyed agree that the offers they receive online are ‘mostly irrelevant’.
How is the B2B buying process evolving?
Dec 23, 2019
By Michiel Schipperus, CEO at Sana Commerce
The way B2B buyers conduct business has changed significantly over the last five years. Advances in ERP technology and supply chain management software have enabled manufacturers to underpin process innovation with real-time insights, driving improvements in supplier management and buying efficiencies.
GigaSpaces Launches Version 15.0 to Operationalize and Optimize Machine Learning
Dec 21, 2019
GigaSpaces, the provider of InsightEdge, the in-memory real-time analytics processing platform, has announced the availability of GigaSpaces Version 15.0, including the InsightEdge Platform and XAP, to operationalize and optimize machine learning with the required speed, scale, accuracy and management tools.
Using cloud migration to power digital transformation
Dec 21, 2019
by Justin Augat, VP of Product Marketing at iland
Cloud is no longer just a way to streamline processes, it’s a major differentiator. The cloud has become essential to businesses thriving in an ever-changing world. Migrating to the cloud has become one of the most vital aspects of being an effective, modern business.
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.
