As we eagerly look to a bright and productive year ahead, the UK’s logistics sector is at a bit of crossroads, so to speak, poised for disruption amid a backdrop of regulatory shifts, technological evolution, and global economic dynamics.
The previous year in logistics was a year filled with change and challenges. It will certainly be very interesting to see how the resilient sector adapts to the current calendar year:
Sustainability continues to drive the mission objectives of nearly all logistics businesses, especially since the nation is committed to achieving “net-zero” status by 2050. This means that logistics businesses are now under more pressure to implement greener, more sustainable practices into their supply chains.
This year, therefore, we can expect to see most businesses focusing their efforts on decarbonisation.
More changes are set to occur in the first quarter of 2024 as Brexit comes closer to being finalised, so this would inevitably mean stiffer importing measures, more paperwork and, well, more paperwork!
As a result, some disruption and delays are to be expected in the movement of certain goods. Luckily, operators have been given an ample window to make the appropriate adjustments, so, this year and the next will revolve around the implementation of and adherence to the latest regulatory changes within logistics.
DEFRA (Department for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs) has also urged logistics operators to adapt a more digital and automated way of working, with the new mandatory digital Waste Tracking initiative being officially implemented by 2025.
Plus, Net-Zero 2050 is approaching and this has forced logistics operators to reduce emissions. We can definitely expect to see more emissions-related regulations being introduced throughout 2024.
The increasing shift toward e-commerce, fueled by changing consumer buying patterns and behaviours, will also continue shaping the logistics industry.
Consumers today expect uber-fast deliveries with convenience at the forefront, so companies need to invest in the right technologies to support such demands.
This means that collaboration between logistics operators and software platforms will be essential to meet the ongoing demands of online shoppers. Greater visibility into delivery channels, broader use of dedicated customer portals and more streamlined communications can all set up businesses to effectively facilitate the growing needs of their customers.
According to an International Trade Administration report, the UK’s AI market is valued at more than $21b at present. By 2035, it is expected to contribute 1 trillion to the country’s economy.
Furthermore, the UK government reports that 1 in 6 UK businesses – approximately 432,000 – have already integrated AI into their operations, which clearly highlights its importance.
With larger logistics providers leading the way – 68% of large businesses, 33% of mid-sized businesses, and 15% of small businesses have integrated at least one kind of AI technology into their operations.
With these trends in mind, HS Manager is a software-based platform which is not only designed to improve accuracy in logistical and warehousing operations but also help you save time, cut costs, and identify areas of improvement.
For more information https://www.thehsmanager.co.uk/ / https://www.thehsmanager.co.uk/free-trial/
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Operations management in Manufacturing and Warehousing is at the forefront of change, utilising modern technologies as well as disciples to not only address the latest string of operational challenges, but also keep organisations running like a well-oiled machine, all the while maximising both productivity and profitability.
The main goal of any businesses engaged in manufacturing, warehousing, and logistics is to improve the accuracy of order fulfilment, minimise operational costs, and optimise resource allocation. The advent of digitalisation and other disruptive technologies in warehouse management and logistics, which we’ll be discussing shortly, have paved the way for businesses in the sector to increase revenues and improve operational efficiencies across the board – among other things.
Paperless manufacturing is revolutionising the way factories now manage, coordinate, and report various activities through the use of digital tools. Digitalisation or digital disruption has proven to be an effective strategy for more streamlined work order management, for example, helping organisations maintain quality standards, all the while ensuring that they are on top of compliance matters.
Supply chain sustainability refers to effectively managing the social, economic, and environmental factors within an organisation’s supply chain. A very important aspect of this sustainability initiative is recognising and acknowledging the link between a manufacturing company and the broader ecosystem they may be impacting – and then coming up with responsible business practices to make all aspects of the supply chain sustainable.
In a recent report released by The Manufacturers’ Organisation, half of the companies surveyed are upping their investment in automation technologies, especially AI and ML, with almost ¾ of companies now spending more openly on automation across multiple technologies and functions – from product design and development to manufacturing and warehousing operations.
Organisations working in high-risk industries like manufacturing, warehousing, supply chain, and logistics, are well aware of the risks and potential hazards their workers face each day. Unfortunately, despite their best efforts, many businesses do not have the appropriate health and safety controls to minimise risk and hazards at the workplace.
According to an HSE report, around 54,000 workers are involved in non-fatal accidents in the manufacturing sector each year. Most of the injuries they suffer are a direct result of manual handling accidents, trips, slips, and falls, contact with moving machinery, and being struck by moving objects.
It is estimated that the logistics industry will grow at a CAGR of 10-12%, reaching a value of $380 million by 2025. A large driver of this growth will be technology and automation – from robotics and the Internet of Things (IoT) to artificial intelligence (AI), better integration of the various ecosystems involved, digitisation of processes, and more.
Supply chain inspections often prove to be a challenge, even for leading, well-established companies. However, standardisation has now become one of the chief methods of optimising the greater supply chain and ensuring that all managers, departments, and teams are on the same page.
According to a 2019 report published by the Journal of International Logistics and Trade, political unrest are among the leading causes of supply chain disruptions. A SAP survey reported that 58% of US business leaders believe supply chain problems primarily stem due to global political unrest.
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