In the words of Maurice Switzer in Mrs. Goose, Her Book: “It is better to remain silent at the risk of being thought a fool, than to talk and remove all doubt of it.”
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.
Pioneering the future of aerospace with sustainable innovation
Mar 25, 2024
By Edward Banks, freelance writer.
In the fast-paced world of supply chain management, the recent surge in automation within warehousing stands as a testament to the industry's adaptability and innovation. A groundbreaking study reveals that over 60% of warehousing leaders globally view automation as essential for reducing errors and meeting service-level agreements, while 68% see it as a solution to labour shortages.
Storyblok’s CMS report finds 79% of companies are using AI-powered content tools
Mar 21, 2024
Storyblok, the content management system (CMS) category solutions provider, has released The State of CMS 2024 report to show how companies manage content today and what their content plans are for the future.
Brother UK analysis finds five-figure saving for business that switch to MPS
Mar 21, 2024
Switching to managed print services (MPS) could represent a five-figure saving over three years, when compared with traditional printer ownership, according to new analysis from Brother UK.
New Scandit research reveals 40% of retail workers feel tech needs are ignored
Mar 20, 2024
Scandit has released a report, ‘Frontline Retail Revealed: Motivations, Technology Attitudes and Insights’, examining store associates’ perspective on the factors influencing workplace loyalty, retention and technology investment, including the potential impacts of AI.
AI discussions across industries continue to rise as companies explore investments to harness potential, finds GlobalData
Mar 20, 2024
As artificial intelligence (AI) continues its ascent across industries, companies are increasingly exploring investments to harness its transformative potential.
In 2024, AI will work in concert with humans to boost customer service and efficiency in retail
Mar 20, 2024
As has been the case with other industries, AI’s arrival in the retail sector has ignited fears that the role of human workers might soon become redundant. However, according to Laurence Brenig-Jones, VP of Product Strategy at RELEX Solutions, these fears are unfounded.
3 supply chain approaches to beat the global permacrisis
Mar 20, 2024
By Craig Summers, Vice President, Northern Europe & MEA, Manhattan Associates.
‘Permacrisis’ has become such a talked about topic over the last four years that it has entered the common vernacular; so much so that in 2022, it was actually voted Collins Dictionary’s word of the year.
How retailers can meet the demand for sustainable supply chains
Mar 19, 2024
By Eric Linxwiler, Senior Vice President of TradeBeyond.
Every month brings new evidence of how dramatically consumers’ growing preferences for sustainability are reshaping their shopping habits. A new study by NIQ found that 69% of global consumers say that sustainability and ESG concerns have become increasingly important to them over the last two years.
Red Canary detects spike in cloud account compromises and email forwarding rule abuse
Mar 14, 2024
Red Canary has unveiled its sixth annual Threat Detection Report, examining the trends, threats, and adversary techniques that organizations ought to prioritize in the coming months and years.
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.
