Manufacturers are struggling to keep up in the race to bring an increasing number of new products to market according to research from SAP data management solutions provider, Winshuttle.
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.
Manufacturing & Logistics IT March 2018
Mar 27, 2018
The March 2018 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT features a Special Technology Report on Transportation Management.
For this report, we spoke with experts from the vendor and analyst communities about recent trends and ongoing areas of development within the world of Transportation Management – including those concerning integration, Cloud/SaaS and legislation.
Manufacturing output growth slows but remains strong – CBI
Mar 27, 2018
Manufacturing order books weakened in the three months to March, but remained well above their long-run average, according to the latest monthly CBI Industrial Trends Survey.
MWheels to meet Department for Transport and DVSA to discuss EU Roadworthiness Directive
Mar 27, 2018
MWheels is to meet with the Department for Transport (DfT) and DVSA to understand why the EU Roadworthiness Directive, and its section on CV wheels, has not been incorporated in UK law.
Making water supplies more resilient for manufacturers
Mar 19, 2018
Manufacturers are being urged to review their contingency plans following water supply disruptions caused by extreme weather last week which saw Cadbury's and Jaguar Land Rover temporarily close factories in the West Midlands.
Never underestimate the importance of happy customers
Mar 19, 2018
By Matthew Robertson, Co-CEO, NetDespatch.
With the eDelivery Expo, the UK's largest retail, fulfilment and final mile conference, taking place on 21 and 22 March, 2018 this got me thinking about the importance of final mile, customer service and operational excellence.
Britain sees major growth in artificial intelligence jobs
Mar 19, 2018
The UK's artificial intelligence sector is growing faster than rivals in America, Canada and Australia - putting Britain on course to be the global leader in AI technology.
Four in five IT SME bosses face recruitment and retention issues
Mar 19, 2018
The latest Aldermore Future Attitudes report reveals that four in five (80%) of SMEs in the IT sector, representing 270,280* small and medium sized business across the UK, find it difficult to hire qualified staff members or keep existing talent in the company.
Digital transformation is being held back by legacy technology, warns TmaxSoft
Mar 14, 2018
Research from the Cloud Industry Forum finds that 9 in 10 businesses see legacy technology as a barrier to digital transformation
Facebook's trip consideration objective: What you need to know
Mar 14, 2018
By Declan Kennedy, CEO, StitcherAds.
Facebook has announced that its ad platform will now offer an optimisation option called Trip Consideration, which will target users who are in the early stages of considering a trip.
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.
