Manufacturing logistics and procurement – April 2024
Trends in pharmaceutical manufacturing
PMMI has published an infographic (553 kB) on trends in pharmaceutical manufacturing. Amid projected growth, the pharmaceutical industry faces opportunities and challenges in meeting marketplace demands. Flexible, simple machinery with rapid changeover is the top improvement that end-users are requesting. Respondents see a lack of skilled/knowledgeable automation workers (48%) and line interruptions and downtime (45%) as a barrier to automation.
Artificial intelligence
Rockwell Automation has published their 9th annual “State of Smart Manufacturing Report”. Among many findings, three major trends emerge from this report: the AI revolution is here for manufacturing, technology is being deployed to give the workforce ‘superpowers’ and building resiliency in operations is growing in importance. You can download the report after filling in your details.
According to a survey by Gartner, top performing supply chain organisations are investing in artificial intelligence and machine learning to optimise their processes at more than twice the rate of low performing peers. The survey also reveals that the best supply chain organisations are using productivity, rather than efficiency or cost savings, as their key focus to sustain business momentum over the next three years.
According to research from The Hackett Group, improving cost reduction has taken over the top priority spot for procurement executives, as companies face concerns over their ability to continue to grow revenue, high interest rates, fears of recession, and the potential for labour and skill shortages. Procurement leaders are also actively evaluating how generative AI can help them improve both efficiency and effectiveness in a range of functional areas. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Analysis of packaging recycling mode in Chinese express delivery industry
Universiti Putra Malaysia researchers have analysed packaging recycling in the Chinese express delivery industry. The research findings indicate that the recycling of express packaging is confronted with challenges such as high recycling costs and low recycling efficiency. The combination of low-cost standardised packaging, along with consumer environmental awareness and an efficient recycling system, can significantly boost the recycling and reutilisation of express delivery packaging. The study (212 kB) is published in the International Journal of Business and Technology Management.
Sealing
On 11 April 2024, Rik Waterham held a speech entitled ‘Creating a framework to assist heat sealing technology choice, with the focus on conduction and ultrasonic sealing ‘ as part of his master assignment at the University of Twente. Chairman of the assessment committee was prof. Roland ten Klooster who holds the NVC Chair Packaging Design and Management.
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