Critical Issues Manufacturing/Supply Chain

By Ken Jackson, freelance writer

If your business requires shipping high value but low volume cargo, you’re probably considering air freight services. But there is often understandable hesitancy about actually following through with this idea.

By Jamil Ahmed, Distinguished Engineer at Solace.

Brexit and COVID continue to cause ripples across the UK, with the record shortage of haulage drivers causing havoc for the country’s businesses. With a shortage of over 100,000 drivers, it’s not surprising the economy is suffering. Heavyweights like Wetherspoons and McDonalds, and Ikea have all reported missing inventory and delivery issues in the last few weeks.  

The Government's newly announced ‘data reform’ programme aims to “boost innovation, economic growth and protect the public”.

Since the start of the pandemic, the way business is conducted has changed permanently, with many workforces continuing to work remotely as restrictions have eased. As companies relax and rules have eased, life is expected to return to a form of ‘new normal.’ But, the issues around cybersecurity are here to stay, and the gas pedal must not be eased – especially with the increased risks associated with continued remote working.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) provides new and profitable opportunities for increasing organisational, financial and operational performance. For instance, the retail and logistics industries can benefit from the superior RFID technology. DENSO explains why.

Levels of M&A involving UK manufacturers increased by 5% in the first six months of this year compared with the second half of 2020 boosted by greater interest from US buyers, according to analysis by Irwin Mitchell.

Luxury goods were the fastest growing cross-border ecommerce category in the first half of 2021, increasing by 50% compared to the end of 2020.  With global demand for luxury being driven by shoppers from China, UAE, South Korea and India, increasingly consumers are now happy to forego the ‘white-glove’ in-store experience for online convenience, the latest data from eShopWorld (ESW) reveals.

As businesses around the UK continue to contend with unprecedented global supply shortages, Thrasio has been quick to assert the importance of a technological-driven approach to supply chain management in order to build resilience.

By Paul Empson, General Manager, Bakers Basco.

Barely a day goes by without news alerts pinging up with another new development on the current national driver shortage crisis sweeping across the nation. From Nando’s chicken to McDonald’s milkshakes to Haribo sweets, the food industry’s battle continues, wreaking havoc across the supply chain as companies and hauliers warn that they can no longer guarantee all pick-ups and deliveries.

Ceramic 3D printing is an emerging segment within the 3D printing industry that began its commercial journey in the past 10 years, making it a relative newcomer compared with polymer and metal 3D printing. However, increasing entrants into the field in the past few years, from major ceramics companies to small 3D printing start-ups, illustrates that interest in ceramic additive manufacturing is picking up.