Manufacturing logistics and procurement – June 2026
Large majority of organisations are piloting AI in supply chain intelligence
The Hackett Group has released findings from their ‘2026 Supply Chain Key Issues Study’, showing that a large majority of supply chain actors are accelerating Artificial Intelligence (AI) adoption as persistent cost pressure converges with the need to modernise. Momentum to deploy AI is concentrated in supply chain data visualisation tools, intelligence and analytics, and advanced supply chain planning. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Flanders Make technology enables voice-controlled robots
Flanders Make (Belgium) has developed a new technology that enables industrial robots to understand their surroundings via a ‘mind map’ that humans can also easily interpret. The robots can make decisions independently and adapt to changes in their environment. Staff will be able to control them easily, for example simply by talking to them. This significantly lowers the barrier to introducing more robots into the workplace.
PMMI report sketches work to do for more efficient packaging automation
‘From Complexity to Capability’ is a report by PMMI examining how packaging and processing leaders are integrating systems, people, and partnerships to improve productivity and resilience. The highest-value near-term moves are standardisation, digital work guidance, targeted automation of repetitive tasks, lifecycle and obsolescence planning and joint governance around data, startup support, and issue resolution. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Packaging challenges and solutions in fulfilment operations analysed
A master thesis (533 kB) by Jasica Jaswal at the Arcada University of Applied Sciences analyses packaging in fulfilment operations of the Finnish e-commerce sector. The study identifies challenges in selecting optimal packaging, determines which products create the most difficulties, and explores how packaging efficiency can be improved through new materials and technologies.
New research enables a robot to chart a better course
Researchers from MIT and the University of Pennsylvania have developed a new trajectory-planning system enabling a UAV to react to obstacles in milliseconds while staying on a smooth flight path that minimises travel time. The system named MIGHTY, could be utilised in applications like last-mile delivery in urban spaces, where UAVs need to avoid buildings, wires, and people.
A PLC-based automated sorting system for a smart packaging industry
A study led by Al-Turath University introduces a PLC-based automated sorting system tailored for smart packaging applications, incorporating sensors, pneumatic actuators, conveyors, and a programmable logic controller compliant with IEC 61131-3 standards. The study (1.022 kB) is published in Proceedings of the International Conference on Applied Innovations in IT.
1 out of 75 container ships trapped in the Strait of Hormuz
A news report by Kuehne + Nagel (dated 16 June 2026) indicates that approximately 90 container vessels are currently locked inside the Persian Gulf, accounting for around 1.5% of the global container fleet.
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