By Matthew Robertson, Co-CEO NetDespatch.
I read a particularly interesting article this week. It focussed on technology and the changing face of delivery.
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.
Automated parcel delivery – the future of last mile
Feb 14, 2018
Half of SMEs fear financial loss from poor IT security and data compliance
Feb 07, 2018
Recent research by Ultima, the provider of on-premise and cloud IT infrastructure and managed service solutions, has found that over half (58%) of the UK's SMEs think their businesses are at risk of financial loss from poor IT security and data compliance, with 67% believing they may be out of business in three years if their IT security and compliance doesn't improve.
Relaxed rules for business travellers in the manufacturing sector
Feb 01, 2018
Nearly a third of manufacturing professionals who travel for business claim that there are no set allowances for dining or accommodation when they travel, The Heathrow Express Business Travel Insights Report reveals.
Government acts to protect essential services from cyber attack
Feb 01, 2018
Bosses of Britain's most critical industries are being warned to boost cyber security or face hefty fines for leaving themselves vulnerable to attack.
77% of retail CIOs say it could become impossible to manage digital performance, as IT complexity soars
Jan 31, 2018
Digital performance management company, Dynatrace, has announced the findings of an independent global survey of 219 CIOs in the retail sector, which reveals that 77% of organisations think IT complexity could soon make it impossible to manage digital performance efficiently.
Three game-changers for the manufacturing industry in 2018
Jan 30, 2018
IoT being built into the product design, manufacturers adopting a more service-centric business model and 3D-printing reaching the tipping point of realizing business benefits on a large scale.
TimoCom transport barometer: Vehicle shortage continues to worsen
Jan 30, 2018
Free vehicle capacity is getting scarcer in Europe, according to TimoCom's Transport Barometer. In the 4th quarter of 2017, Europe's largest transport platform had only 29 vehicle offers to fulfil 71 transport orders.
In September 2017, an all-time high of 78 percent was calculated for freight. That means: an ever-growing number of goods that need to be transported from A to B have fewer and fewer trucks available to transport them.
Study finds that tech fails people every week
Jan 23, 2018
Nearly one in two people say technology fails them once a week or more, a new study commissioned by CRITICAL Software has revealed.
UK manufacturing sector holds the line as bad debt looms, data from Creditsafe reveals
Jan 23, 2018
Building on its recovery last quarter, the UK manufacturing sector has posted another solid performance across key financial indicators, as sales rose 3.94% and active companies increased by 16.66% year-on-year, according to new figures from the Creditsafe Watchdog Report.
The Importance of being Agile...
Jan 18, 2018
The evolving role of mobile computing in food and convenience retailing....an executive brief by Datalogic.
Every day the food and grocery industry feeds nearly 64 million people, living in over 27 million households across the UK. A feat that can only be achieved through the combined efforts of many hundreds of thousands of people working across different parts of the grocery supply chain.
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.
