By Terry Myers, CEO Infratab, Inc.
Farmers are starting to rethink spoilage. Climate change, increasing land, water, labour costs, and new laws are forcing greater efficiency in harvest, cooling, and distribution, not only to prevent spoilage, but to maximise profitability.
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.
The new cost of food spoilage
Oct 26, 2016
Exploring fleets in the connected mobility ecosystem
Oct 20, 2016
By Graham Jarvis
Traditional fleet management systems that monitor driver behaviour, maintenance and fuel economy are increasingly being integrated with new Internet of Things (IoT) functionalities and infrastructure such as with the smart city or the smart road.
The future of the modern day supply chain
Oct 13, 2016
In today's omni-channel world retailers are creating new, innovative and quick ways to get orders to their customers – and same day delivery has become another strategy that takes modern day logistics to a whole new level. How can retailers keep on top of the multiple channels that make up their logistics infrastructure in real time, confidently meet delivery promises and ensure these innovative services are delivering incremental value?
Manufacturing businesses on trajectory for low levels of employee happiness and bad financial performance
Oct 13, 2016
Manufacturing companies in Europe are set to face a workplace crisis from low levels of employee happiness and bad financial performance if the current state of flexible working and collaboration does not improve, according to a recent IDC survey of 1,352 HR professionals and line managers, sponsored by Cornerstone OnDemand.
It's time to put more women at the top of the supply chain
Oct 05, 2016
By Kevin O'Marah, Chief Content Officer, SCM World.
Increasing the number of women in leadership positions in public companies improves profitability. Men and women work in different ways, bringing different strengths to the table, so it makes sense that gender diversity means better business decisions. So, why is the supply chain profession still struggling to attract, retain and recognise female talent?
Plethora of telematics solutions 'leads to confusion in the marketplace'
Sep 29, 2016
Fleet managers are being bombarded with so many different messages about how to make their fleets and drivers safer that it is causing confusion in the marketplace, according to Chris Horbowyj of GreenRoad Technologies.
Gartner announces ranking of top European supply chain organisations for 2016
Sep 28, 2016
Gartner, Inc., revealed its 2016 ranking of the top 15 supply chain organisations based in Europe at its annual Supply Chain Executive Conference, held from 19-20 September in London.
Data-rich retailers lack customer identity insight
Sep 21, 2016
Amido, a vendor-agnostic technical consultancy specialising in assembling and integrating proven cloud technologies to improve customer identity and data management, reports that c-suite leaders in retail are struggling to find value in the data they hold about their customers owing to the inadequate integration of their siloed data.
Mobile barcode scanning – Capturing top performance without breaking the bank
Sep 21, 2016
By Samuel Mueller, CEO, Scandit.
Purchasing barcode scanners has become a matter of varied choices. No longer are enterprises restricted to selecting from an array of dedicated scanners or traditional mobile computers.
Six tips for taking stock ahead of the Christmas shopping season
Sep 15, 2016
By Michele Dupré, group vice president of retail, hospitality and distribution for Verizon.
While summer may still be top of mind for consumers, the retail industry is laser-focused on preparing for the 2016 Christmas season.
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.
