Retail is the sector where UK businesses are most likely to feel exposed to a series of threats to business growth in 2020.
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.
Festive season blind spot
Dec 10, 2019
By: Robert Byrne, VP Supply Chain Solutions at E2open.
The festive season is the season for stuffing. Turkeys with delicious fillings, socks above the fireplace with presents and warehouses with enough stock to meet customer demand during this peak shopping time.
How UK businesses can get to grips with rising supply chain risk
Dec 10, 2019
By Alex Saric, smart procurement expert, Ivalua.
Epson reaffirms its commitment to COP25
Dec 04, 2019
Global technology firm, Epson, has reaffirmed its commitment to decarbonisation (reducing greenhouse gas emissions) in advance of the 25th Conference of the Parties to the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change (COP25) to be held in Madrid, Spain from 2 to 13 December 2019.
Small manufacturing businesses show rise in growth optimism this quarter
Dec 04, 2019
Set against a backdrop of unprecedented change – British small businesses are remaining stoic and are facing the next three months with renewed focus and a determination to succeed.
Voice-directed warehousing solutions market: Advancements such as speech recognition and speech synthesis to uplift adoption
Dec 04, 2019
According to new global study, increased security and real-time business intelligence are among the major factors driving the growth of the voice-directed warehousing solutions market.
Uncertainty continues to impact supply chain risk, finds Dun & Bradstreet and Cranfield University
Dec 04, 2019
The ongoing uncertainty around Brexit is encouraging many manufacturers and retailers to consider other supplier locations in low cost, higher risk countries to avoid possible trade barriers. The latest analysis in the Global Supply Chain Risk Report, produced quarterly by Cranfield University and Dun & Bradstreet, found marked increases in Supplier Criticality (up 2%) and Global Sourcing Risk (up 4.8%) in Q3 2019.
UK shoppers shun fingerprint scanners and facial recognition in favour of traditional passwords, new FIS report reveals
Dec 04, 2019
New research from global financial technology provider FIS has found that UK consumers remain wary of anti-fraud technologies like biometrics, while at the same time are growing increasingly worried about having their personal information hacked.
Google/Looker Competition and Markets Authority enquiry.
Dec 03, 2019
Google/Looker Competition and Markets Authority enquiry: rival data CEO says Google deal `fair enough and makes perfect sense`.
The decision by the Competition and Markets Authority to consider an investigation of the acquisition of Lookers by Google, was announced yesterday.
Netwrix survey: Data security is the top IT priority for 74% of UK organisations in 2020
Nov 27, 2019
Netwrix, a vendor of information security and governance software, has announced the release of the Netwrix IT Trends 2020 report, which identifies the top priorities for organisations in 2020 based on a global survey of 1,045 IT pros.
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.
