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

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Rising demand for secure data analytics drives strong half-year results for Panintelligence

1 Rising demand for secure data analytics drives strong half-year results for Panintelligence

Fast-growing data analytics and business intelligence (BI) software developer Panintelligence has reported half-year financial results showing an increase in turnover of more than 20%.

Supply chain impact: Trumps tariff warning rocks global markets

2 Supply chain impact: Trumps tariff warning rocks global markets

By Slimane Allab, EMEA General Manager and SVP, LLamasoft.

The ongoing US/China trade war affects businesses’ supply chains in a variety of ways and not just in terms of increased taxes and tariffs.

Onboarding: the key to a successful EDI project

3 Onboarding: the key to a successful EDI project

By Karolina Piotrzkowska, Business Solution Manager, Comarch.

Onboarding business partners is a crucial step in any EDI project. Indeed, it may be said to be the most important, for a technically perfect EDI solution has no value if business partners are not connected and exchanging messages effectively. Given the complexity of the issue, this article presents the most important aspects of the process to help you increase your chances of success with your EDI project.

‘Retailers were already struggling – now it’s even more difficult to keep up’: BRC and Chargebacks911 support retailers struggling with payment disputes

4 ‘Retailers were already struggling – now it’s even more difficult to keep up’: BRC and Chargebacks911 support retailers struggling with payment disputes

The go-to trade association for all UK retailers, British Retail Consortium (BRC), is working with dispute processing and remediation company, Chargebacks911, to help its members better understand how to combat friendly fraud and chargebacks.

UK exports fall in the face of global trade tensions

5 UK exports fall in the face of global trade tensions

Whilst the export of goods from the UK fell in Q2 2019, larger UK manufacturers remain focused on export growth with the highest proportion of companies exporting in nearly four years, according to the latest Lloyds Bank International Trade Index, compiled in partnership with IHS Markit.

Five tips for delivering better customer experiences through agile manufacturing

6 Five tips for delivering better customer experiences through agile manufacturing

By John Bruno, VP of Product Management, Elastic Path Software.

Agility is now a vital attribute for modern manufacturers however, it requires a different mindset. One that goes against years of conditioning and forces manufacturers to think quite differently than they have in the past.

Manufacturers struggling to cope with spike in GDPR data requests

7 Manufacturers struggling to cope with spike in GDPR data requests

Manufacturers have struggled to handle an upswing in personal data access requests since the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) came into force, new research from business process outsourcer Parseq reveals.

Auto Putaway or Manual? You can’t beat the WMS

8 Auto Putaway or Manual? You can’t beat the WMS

By Alex Mills, Sales and Marketing Director at ProSKU.

When it comes to receiving goods and looking for somewhere to put them, a modern warehouse management system (WMS) can surpass the knowledge of even the most competent warehouse operative. It can do this because it holds a map of the storage locations in a warehouse and records what is stored in them in real time.

Two’s a party – why collaboration can help you to avoid privacy pitfalls

9 Two’s a party – why collaboration can help you to avoid privacy pitfalls

By Tim Abraham, Director, Second-Party Data, International at LiveRamp.

More than a year after coming into effect, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) has transformed the data landscape and its effects look set to extend into the future, as nations worldwide adopt similar laws.

Over a third of supply chain professionals do no monitor for modern slavery convictions

10 Over a third of supply chain professionals do no monitor for modern slavery convictions

Over a third (38%) of senior UK supply chain professionals say they do not have processes in place to check if a supplier has been convicted of modern slavery infringements, according to research from national law firm Weightmans.

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.

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