Amidst warnings of more disappointing productivity growth to come, downgrades to the public finances and Brexit related uncertainty, Britain's manufacturers are urging the Chancellor to use his available ammunition to boost investment and improve industry competitiveness in the forthcoming Budget.
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.
How Chatbots are changing UX/UI for the better
Nov 02, 2017
By Jake Davis, Design Director at Pocket App.
Mobile apps have been continually progressing for some years and the power of mobile applications remains very strong.
Driving down the cost of last-mile delivery
Nov 02, 2017
By Matthew Robertson, Co-CEO NetDespatch.
I read a thought-provoking article recently which talked about how the 'last mile', though extremely inefficient, is the final frontier of logistics and the costs, whilst an absolute necessity, are burdensome to supply chains.
Total economic impact study reveals Epicor ERP customers can achieve 264% ROI
Oct 25, 2017
Epicor Software Corporation, a global provider of industry-specific enterprise software to promote business growth, has announced the availability of a new Total Economic Impact (TEI) study that examines the potential return on investment (ROI) companies can achieve with the Epicor enterprise resource planning (ERP) suite.
The October 2017 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT
Oct 25, 2017
The October 2017 edition of Manufacturing & Logistics IT features a Special Technology Report on WMS/Voice-directed picking.
For this report, we spoke with a number of experts from the vendor and analyst communities about recent developments within the Warehouse Management System and Voice-directed picking space – including those concerning SaaS/Cloud and Big Data.
Why traditional manufacturing theories don't work
Oct 25, 2017
Complexity and variability are the new norm in modern business. Changing customer behaviour, shorter product lifecycles and a rising complexity in global supply chains is making life increasingly difficult for production planners.
Digital transformation driven by increasing competitive threats rather than innovation
Oct 18, 2017
Competitive pressure is driving 70% of digital transformation projects globally, according to new research
Nearly nine in ten SMEs in the IT sector are a runaway success, according to their owners
Oct 18, 2017
The latest Aldermore Future Attitudes report reveals that nearly nine in ten (85%) of small and medium sized business (SME) owners in the IT sector admit to their business being a success.
New Prologis research reveals Europe’s most desirable logistics locations
Oct 11, 2017
Prologis, Inc. has released new research that examines why logistics customers in Europe choose certain locations over others.
The rise of Scan and Go technology and how it works
Oct 11, 2017
By Julian Wallis, Sales Director in the Payments Group at Rambus.
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.
