A new Government report highlights the real impact that the ‘double whammy’ of Brexit and the coronavirus have had on UK trade, says the international delivery expert ParcelHero.
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.
Automotive and aerospace quality excellence being transferred to other manufacturing sectors
May 26, 2021
Manufacturers in the rail, marine, defence and household good sectors can now benefit from more than 25 years of automotive and aerospace quality excellence as G&P is undergoing a proactive diversification drive across adjacent sectors.
IT designed to suit garment manufacturing supply chains
May 26, 2021
These are exciting times for UK garment manufacturers – if they embrace digitalisation, writes Karl H. Lauri, managing team member at MRPeasy.com.
The ‘ticking cyber-bomb’: global supply chains at high risk of cyberattacks
May 25, 2021
Kaspersky identifies the absence of a global policy response to supply-chain attacks as a ticking time-bomb that puts international cyber-stability at risk
Digital transformations make every organisation a software company that relies on a multitude of external vendors, adding to difficult-to-manage third-party threats.
Businesses are prioritising composable ERP strategy as pandemic accelerates cloud migration
May 19, 2021
Boomi, provider of cloud-based integration platform as a service (iPaaS), has announced the findings from a new global survey revealing that 94% of organisations worldwide are embracing a Composable Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) strategy to overcome the limitations of legacy applications and modernise their businesses to gain a competitive market advantage.
Creating a culture of wellbeing in your manufacturing and logistics organisation
May 19, 2021
We recently passed the year mark of the coronavirus pandemic. Do you know how your employees are feeling?
PrintCity’s story: How collaboration is modernising manufacturing and helping to bridge the digital skills gap
May 18, 2021
The UK remains the ninth largest manufacturing nation in the world. However, the sector continues to face a real skills shortage, which has been well documented for years, leaving many asking, ‘how do you teach an old industry new tricks?’ Manufacturers consider the skills gap to be an enormous challenge.
Resilience, recovery and recruitment: SME optimism will result in millions of new jobs in 2021
May 18, 2021
As major economies reopen across the globe and consumer confidence rises, Sage, provider of cloud business management solutions, has unveiled the true levels of resilience and optimism among SMEs across the UK, US and France. Sage’s recent sentiment survey shows that SMEs – the economic backbone of many countries – have reached a turning point and confidence has largely returned.
Is industrial IoT creating a cybersecurity perfect storm?
May 18, 2021
Internet of Things (IoT) and Industrial IoT (IIoT) sensors have revolutionised manufacturing in the 21st century, enabling enterprises to improve production processes using real-time visual and technical data. Unfortunately, although few devices and networks are 100% secure given the constantly expanding threat landscape, IoT sensors are notoriously vulnerable, offering bad actors plenty of low-hanging fruit to pluck.
How to grow your business using data for everyone
May 18, 2021
The world of retail has always been fiercely competitive but the pandemic has meant it’s harder than ever for companies to succeed. So how can retailers make sure they’re able to prosper in a difficult market? Marcos Monterio, CEO, Veezoo, explains why data that’s easily accessed, is the key.
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.
