We're being told in the press on a daily basis how the UK economy is growing. How companies have scaled up output in response to stronger inflows of new orders. And, that there is strong demand from the domestic market with rising levels of new business coming from overseas. According to EEF, The Manufacturers Organisation, the forecast for UK manufacturing output growth this year is 2.7%, the fastest rate of expansion in four years.
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.
Is reshoring manufacturing a long-term solution?
Mar 13, 2014
Figures released by the EEF manufacturers' organisation stating that one in six British companies has reshored its production within the past three years marks a positive outlook for the UK manufacturing sector.
Retailers need to wake up to the fact that when it comes to online fraud even good consumers break bad
Mar 05, 2014
Commentators on the retail sector were writing as recently as 2011 that a major advantage of ecommerce was that the financial drain of shoplifting would be alleviated by the shift to direct home deliveries.
5 processes to remember when exporting
Mar 05, 2014
By Ken Peters, Director of Global Solutions at Integration Point.
There are various measures to assess when exporting products internationally.In order to avoid fines, removal of export privileges or jail time, remember to perform the following five export processes to proactively ensure your goods are efficiently moving through your supply chain.
The Big Data challenge: Leveraging analytics to make better business decisions and enhance field service performance
Feb 27, 2014
By Mark Forrest, general manager, Trimble Field Service Management (FSM).
Big Data is a buzz word making its rounds across a variety of industries and the field service sector is no exception. Gartner defines Big Data as high-volume, high-velocity and high-variety information assets that demand cost-effective, innovative forms of information processing for enhanced insight and decision making.
Frost & Sullivan: Smart manufacturing emergence to drive demand for M2M Communication
Feb 20, 2014
The manufacturing sector has traditionally implemented a range of wired networks to automate plant floor operations. However, emerging machine-to-machine (M2M) systems such as short-range wireless and long-range cellular networks are evolving into choice solutions for factories of the future.
Achieving Supply Chain Excellence: Your Journey Forward
Feb 20, 2014
...a white paper from Demand Solutions.
Nobody disputes the value of an efficient, collaborative, carefully planned supply chain. When your company reaches its supply chain potential, you can...
Safety stock in the supply chain
Feb 20, 2014
By Timothy Welch, Managing Director, Demand Solutions (Europe) Ltd.
You can greatly increase your chances of consistently meeting your customer service levels and having your product available when and where it is needed by holding safety stock, but many factors can get in the way, such as inaccurate forecasting, transportation delays and inclement weather.
What will drive the next wave of retail innovation?
Feb 20, 2014
By Manish Grover, Senior Director at Mindtree Ltd.
Are there some lessons retailers can learn from the United States? According to Retailing Today, integrated retail or omni-channel commerce paid off handsomely for US sports clothing retailer 'Finish Line'. They attributed their strong quarter performance to their strategies in omni-channel commerce and research shows that 37 percent of US shoppers preferred to shop both online and in store.
KPMG to sponsor UK Data Science Summer School to satisfy demand for data scientists in finance, retail, tech and media
Feb 18, 2014
KPMG in the UK has announced a sponsorship deal with pivigo academy, the organisers of the first Data Science Summer School in the UK, a new pioneering project which aims to recruit 100 of Europe's brightest PhD students and turn them into data scientists during a 5 week intensive course.
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.
