New research by Geek Retreat, the geek culture retailer, gaming café, community hub and events venue, shows that 15% of Brits have set up their own business in the past ten years, and of these, 44% did so in the last three years. The findings also show that more women (52%) have started their own business in the past three years, compared to men (30%).
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.
New research reveals a new generation of UK entrepreneurs with retail the most popular sector for start-ups
Jan 10, 2024
Softcat reveals cyber security is top IT priority for the manufacturing sector in 2024
Jan 10, 2024
A new report by provider of IT infrastructure, Softcat, offers a look into the technologies the manufacturing sector is prioritising over the next 12 months.The findings form part of a report based on the views of more than 4,000 customers from 2,900 organisations in the UK and Ireland, across 27 industries in both the public and private sectors.
Smartwatches forecasted to rebound in 2024 with 17% growth
Jan 09, 2024
Canalys' recent global wearable band market analysis forecasts a 2% rise in 2023, totaling to 186 million units. This growth is primarily driven by a significant 22% surge in basic watch shipments in emerging markets, notably India.
Recent flooding is the latest demonstration of extreme weather’s impact on the UK supply chain
Jan 09, 2024
The recent bout of severe weather, including flooding across various regions of the UK, has been yet another demonstration of the impact that extreme weather has on the supply chain.
Almost half of businesses have now implemented machine learning, says STX Next research
Jan 08, 2024
Research from STX Next, the software development company specialising in Python, has found that 47% of businesses have now implemented machine learning (ML) into business processes. Despite this growth in popularity of artificial intelligence (AI) and ML, further growth could be limited without investment in specialised technical teams to drive integration.
UK manufacturers plan to increase reshoring to get better value and more security
Jan 04, 2024
Following the Autumn Statement, many manufacturing businesses may breathe a sigh of relief as the Finance Minister announced that he was making permanent the tax incentives for businesses to invest that he introduced earlier in the year.
Retail Think Tank 2024 predictions: Food, Health & Beauty and Purpose-driven retail set to be sector winners in the year ahead
Jan 03, 2024
Food and Health & Beauty are expected to be two of the best performing retail categories for 2024, along with ‘purpose’ driven retail offerings, which include circular retail and sustainable shopping formats, according to predictions from the KPMG/RetailNext Retail Think Tank (RTT), an independent board of retail experts.
Food industry urged to establish solid foundations before new technologies can benefit food safety
Jan 03, 2024
The food industry has been warned that AI technology is no magic bullet to ensure food safety and that developing the right culture must be the first step.
Manufacturers enter 2024 on knife edge as output falls in December
Jan 02, 2024
Commenting on the latest CIPS UK Manufacturing Purchasing Managers’ Index which has fallen to 46.2, Mike Thornton, national head of manufacturing at RSM UK, said: “The manufacturing PMI in December continued to show signs of stability at 46.2, down only marginally from 47.2 in December.
What does a blockade of the Red Sea mean for supply chains?
Jan 02, 2024
By Patrick Lepperhoff, Principal at INVERTO and supply chain management expert.
We experienced what a blockade of the Red Sea means in spring 2021 when the Ever Given got stuck in the Suez Canal. Within a few days, a traffic jam of several hundred ships formed.
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.
