Manufacturing output volumes in the three months to March improved to broadly flat, which marked their highest balance since May 2019. That’s according to the CBI’s latest monthly Industrial Trends Survey.
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.
Transforming manufacturing resilience could add £26bn of productivity value to the economy
Mar 23, 2021
RS Components (RS), a trading brand of Electrocomponents plc (LSE: ECM), a global omnichannel product and services solutions provider for industrial customers and suppliers, has launched the Resilience Index, one of the most comprehensive studies of UK resilience that paints a mixed picture for senior engineers looking to build resilience into their plant, process and people in the years to come.
NTT reveals only 16.0% of UK and Ireland digital transformation efforts are optimised
Mar 18, 2021
One year since the onset of the pandemic, organisations globally have undergone major transformations as they seek to strengthen resilience, increase agility and deliver greater efficiencies.
eFax research reveals IT decision-makers in retail accelerating digital transformation of paper-based processes as a direct result of disruption caused by Brexit
Mar 17, 2021
eFax, the online fax solution, has announced the findings of research revealing how UK Retail IT decision-makers are accelerating digital transformation of paper-based processes as a direct result of disruption caused by the UK leaving the EU (Brexit).
3D printing unlocks new design and manufacturing use cases across industries, says GlobalData
Mar 16, 2021
As industry 4.0 evolves, 3D printing has emerged as one of the key enabling technologies driving advancements across industries.
How retailers can deliver a positive returns experience for customers
Mar 16, 2021
Returns are a major headache for retailers, exasperated by online sales where vetting product quality is harder.
UK manufacturers prioritise cyber risks and a digital future post pandemic says PwC COO Survey
Mar 10, 2021
Managing cyber security risks, workforce changes and growing demands for supply chain security and sustainability are the standout priorities for UK manufacturers over the next two years according to PwC’s latest COO pulse survey.
Accelerating business process design in ERP & digital transformation projects – New Lumenia White Paper published
Mar 10, 2021
Business process design is a key component of most ERP and digital transformation projects. Established approaches to dealing with this are often resource intensive, time consuming and expensive and usually work best where the scope of the change is limited, and the objective is to identify and implement radically different business processes
Could stockless stores be the future of the high street?
Mar 10, 2021
By Alex MacPherson, Director of Consultancy and Account Management, Manhattan Associates.
We have all seen the headlines and plethora of statistics about the uptick in online shopping over the last twelve months.
How has Brexit affected logistics and handling services?
Mar 10, 2021
Since the beginning of the year, the impact of Brexit has had a clear effect on every stage of the logistics process, from transport fees and new limitations to restrictions on imported goods, according to new research by flexible logistics platform Trident Worldwide.
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.
