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

RSS

Verizon 2017 Payment Security Report demonstrates a link between payment card security standard compliance and the ability to defend against cyberattacks

1 Verizon 2017 Payment Security Report demonstrates a link between payment card security standard compliance and the ability to defend against cyberattacks

With cybercrime on the increase, payment card security is increasingly a focus for companies and consumers alike.

Blockchain system successfully deployed to revolutionise the logistics industry

2 Blockchain system successfully deployed to revolutionise the logistics industry

A successful pilot program delivered by logistics technology company Marine Transport International (MTI) demonstrates that the logistics industry will see improved connectivity, efficiency and security thanks to blockchain.

Manufacturing SME’s have most trust in traditional lenders

3 Manufacturing SME’s have most trust in traditional lenders

Business owners of small to medium sized manufacturing companies appear to trust traditional lenders the most, new research has revealed.

Cross site scripting, weak authentication and TLS still head up critical threats

4 Cross site scripting, weak authentication and TLS still head up critical threats

Cross Site Scripting, Weak Authentication and TLS (Transport Layer Security) configuration still account for over 60% of high and critical vulnerabilities in web applications, according to new findings by Context Information Security published today.

Plan effectively for downtime in your retail revolution

5 Plan effectively for downtime in your retail revolution

By Claudine Mosseri, Group Services Director, ByBox.

It's been dubbed the fourth industrial revolution – and amid all of the concern and scaremongering about robots replacing workers in roles, there is at least one sector which has the potential to be transformed by technology – retail.

Managing modern manufacturing supply chains

6 Managing modern manufacturing supply chains

By Alex Mills, Sales & Marketing Director, ProSKU.

Efficient manufacturing relies on managing the supply of components and sub-assemblies to support production schedules. It could be argued that the best manufacturers are the ones that not only have innovative products to meet market demands but who manage their supply chains the most effectively.

Capacity index decreases to seven year low & diesel index declines after four quarters of growth

7 Capacity index decreases to seven year low & diesel index declines after four quarters of growth

The thirty-second edition of the Transport Market Monitor (TMM) by Transporeon and Capgemini Consulting reveals that transport capacity decreased by 41.7% in Q2 2017 compared to Q1 2017.

EDI: As important for you today as it’s always been

8 EDI: As important for you today as it’s always been

Can EDI still be the answer in 2017? Emphatically yes, but not necessarily in its familiar form, writes Stefan Köhler, Sales Director at Data Interchange.

Employer demand for graduates remains high

9 Employer demand for graduates remains high

This year's graduates are heading into a robust recruitment market, with eight out of ten employers (79%) taking on new recruits in 2017/2018, a study by HR website XpertHR shows.

British tech CEO Jones hails 'critically important' data laws

10 British tech CEO Jones hails 'critically important' data laws

Lawrence Jones MBE, the CEO of British data hosting and cloud computing specialist UKFast, is hailing the government announcement on the regulation of personal data.

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.

Editorial: +44 (0)1892 536363
Publisher: +44 (0)208 440 0372
Subscribe FREE to the weekly E-newsletter