Icertis, the contract intelligence company that pushes the boundaries of what's possible with contract lifecycle management (CLM), and World Commerce & Contracting, the global provider of independent research in commercial and contract management (CCM), have published the 2023 Benchmark Report titled CCM: The Journey to Operational Excellence.
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.
Warehousing and logistics industry is torn about automation
Nov 01, 2023
Less than half (45.6%) of warehouse and logistics leaders see automation as necessary over the next five years, according to new research from ProGlove.
There's data and there's data-driven insights
Nov 01, 2023
By Marc Boileau, Senior Vice President Sales and Network Operations at FourKites.
Supply chain data can give businesses real-time insights into their operations, helping them navigate challenges, optimize processes and drive competitive advantage.
The manufacturing frontline: 9 in 10 workers doubt business performance
Oct 31, 2023
New research has revealed that ‘deskless’ workers – including those working in the UK’s manufacturing sector – face regular operational issues, compounding doubts about business performance.
Speed, accuracy and agility in the age of omnichannel
Oct 30, 2023
Special Technology Report: Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) and Voice-directed Picking.
Contributors include VDC Research, Gartner, Panorama Consulting, Frost & Sullivan, Cap Gemini, Aberdeen Strategy & Research, Manhattan Associates, Dakota Integrated Solutions, Ehrhardt Partner Group, Indigo Software, Renovotec.
BBVA Spark backs Twinco Capital with new €50 million debt facility to serve growing demand for sustainable supply chain finance
Oct 30, 2023
There is a staggering $2.5 trillion global trade finance gap that mainly affects SMEs in emerging countries, limiting their ability to access new business opportunities.
St. Modwen Logistics and Savills call on Government to recognise logistics facilities as critical national infrastructure to spur development
Oct 30, 2023
St. Modwen Logistics, the UK logistics owner and developer, and property adviser Savills, has called for improvements to the planning system to support the growth of the logistics sector and encourage more development of modern, sustainable warehousing to keep pace with increasing demand.
Positive jobs growth overshadowed by late payments for UK small businesses
Oct 30, 2023
Despite tentative jobs growth, small businesses experienced slow sales growth and rising late payment times in the three months to September, according to the latest data from global small business platform Xero.
Discover the power of supply chain network optimization - 4flow ebook
Oct 25, 2023
4flow ebook: The ultimate guide to supply chain network optimization.
Over 60% of corporations want to adopt cutting edge inventory and network optimization tools in their supply chains in the coming years. The trend towards optimization of entire or partial supply chain networks in recent years has emerged as a way to deal with increasingly complex supply chains.....
New study reveals the European states where is the most expensive to ship to
Oct 25, 2023
A new study by cross-border shopping platform UBuy Switzerland reveals the States where is most costly to ship to are Armenia, Azerbaijan, and Georgia.The study compared shipping costs from everywhere in the world to all European countries, then calculated the average to discover which countries are most expensive to ship to.
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.
