By Jamie Anderson, Senior Vice President, Marketing, SAP hybris.
The retail sector has experienced its fair share of disruption over the past decade, with advancing technology driving dramatic change across the industry. Part and parcel of this change is that consumers have become harder to catch and many brands are struggling to secure customer loyalty.
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.
Google reinforces mobile as the pinnacle of customer engagement
Jun 17, 2015
Total RFID market in China will reach US$4.3 billion by 2025
Jun 11, 2015
The total RFID market in China will reach US$4.3 billion by 2025, according to a report by Research and Markets. The report provides a complete view of the RFID suppliers, value chain, applications and trends in China.
Addressing urgent risk should be a key consideration for food producers
Jun 11, 2015
By Shaun Bossons, SVP Global Sales at Trace One.
The vast and scattered nature of today's supply chains is creating a breeding ground for risk in the food industry. Globalisation, increased numbers of stakeholders, and customers' desire for ever increasing product sophistication and innovation, are all making it harder to track the provenance and integrity of ingredients throughout the supply chain.
Supply chain faces major challenges to respond to retailer pressures, says ACS&T's Malcolm Johnstone
Jun 11, 2015
Major tensions within the established food retail giants as they face up to discount retailers have created significant stress in the supply chain, ACS&T’s managing director Malcolm Johnstone and president of the Food Storage & Distribution Federation (FSDF) told members at the organisation’s annual lunch.
UK manufacturing catching up when it comes to mobile adoption
Jun 04, 2015
Fast adoption of mobile technologies by UK manufacturers is enabling the industry to remain competitive with other countries, according to findings from business solutions provider K3 Syspro.
Anagram Systems provides five tips to help SMEs identify the right time to adopt ERP software
Jun 04, 2015
As a business grows, managing information, processes and operations inevitably becomes more complex. Companies often address the issue by investing in different software systems to remedy specific pain-points.
e-freight champion calls for paradigm shift in technology and a manifesto for change
Jun 04, 2015
The air cargo industry must abandon inefficient, expensive, out-of-date technology in favour of web-based solutions and embrace e-freight, according to John DeBenedette, MD of WIN.
Migration continues to challenge Cloud users, finds CIF research
Jun 04, 2015
With the latest research from the Cloud Industry Forum indicating that over a third of businesses encounter migration issues as they move to Cloud services, the industry body has called on Cloud Service Providers (CSPs) to do more to assist with the process, and on end users to ensure they are fully prepared prior to beginning migration.
Don’t hesitate, it’s worth the effort: Supply chain visibility
May 27, 2015
By Phil Lavin, Sales Manager, AEB (International) Ltd.
Supply chain visibility describes the IT-supported management of all processes and information within the supply chain, from supplier to end customer.
The National Manufacturing Debate 2015: realising the potential of UK reshoring
May 27, 2015
This year's National Manufacturing Debate (NMD), hosted by Cranfield University, focused on the enormous potential of reshoring manufacturing to the UK.
The return of production that originated in Britain but moved abroad is increasing, driven by a number of factors including shifting consumer preferences and companies' desire to exert greater control over quality and supply chain risks.
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.
