In our globalised economy, an incredible volume of goods crosses international borders every day. While displaying key information on parcels is essential for clearing customs, many countries are tightening regulations to stop fraudulent, dangerous and illegal goods entering their markets. In most cases, sellers are now required to submit parcel data to customs or postal services before sending, but providing this can be costly and time consuming.
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.
Cybersecurity on a budget: How small businesses can keep safe
Apr 03, 2024
As cybercriminals target businesses of all sizes, the misconception persists that effective protection is beyond the reach of smaller budgets. However, the reality is that cost-effective solutions do exist for businesses of all sizes.
Is bias deterring women from health & safety careers? AI reveals ‘pale, male, stale’ image
Apr 03, 2024
Images of health and safety professionals generated by AI are exclusively white, male and around middle age, despite the wealth of job opportunities health & safety offers to women.
Basic tech skills gaps restricting productivity in over a third of UK SMEs
Apr 03, 2024
A lack of basic tech skills such as how to use Microsoft 365 is having a negative impact on productivity in nearly four in ten firms according to UK research from Sharp. The insights from over 500 UK small and medium sized enterprises (SMEs) see the ability to use such tools effectively as one of the biggest challenges facing SMEs across the UK today.
Pathway to end-to-end visibility
Apr 02, 2024
Special Technology report - Transport Management Systems (TMS)
Manufacturing & Logistics IT spoke with leading representatives from the analyst, vendor and end-user communities about many of the current key talking points and areas of innovation taking place within the world of transportation management solutions.
New State of Smart Manufacturing Study shows UK leading the AI and machine learning charge for enhanced productivity
Apr 02, 2024
Rockwell Automation, Inc has announced the results of the 9th annual ‘State of Smart Manufacturing Report’, offering valuable insights into trends, challenges, and plans for global manufacturers. The study surveyed more than 1,500 respondents from 17 countries, including the United Kingdom (UK), France, Germany, Italy and Spain.
Technology trends in dielectric materials for next generation 2.5D and 3D semiconductor packaging
Mar 28, 2024
By Dr Yu-Han Chang, Senior Technology Analyst at IDTechEx.
The semiconductor industry continually pushes packaging technology boundaries to meet the demand for higher chip performance and efficiency. Bandwidth is one of the critical factors defining the amount of data transmitted between dies on a package.
Zscaler finds enterprise use of AI/ML tools skyrocketed nearly 600% over the past year, putting enterprises at risk
Mar 28, 2024
Zscaler, Inc, the cloud security solutions provider, has released its 2024 AI Security Report, which draws on more than 18 billion AI transactions across the Zscaler Zero Trust Exchange cloud security platform from April 2023 to January 2024. Zscaler
Half of UK SMEs have lost vital data over the past five years
Mar 27, 2024
Almost half (48%) of small and medium-sized businesses in the UK have lost or lost access to company or customer data over the past five years, according to research from Beaming, a specialist internet service provider for businesses.
How Environmental Control Units Ensure Optimal Performance in Challenging Environments
Mar 27, 2024
By Paul Stevens, freelance writer.
Dive into the world of rugged Mil-Spec environmental control units (ECUs) and discover how they are designed to maintain optimal performance in even the harshest conditions. This article will highlight the advanced technologies and engineering behind these units, showcasing their ability to provide reliable temperature and humidity control in challenging environments.
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.
