How Industry 4.0 is quickly transforming processes and the way Logistics managers operate?
There is a need of rapid adoption of Industry 4.0, forcing changes across the Supply Chain, as its components, like Data-driven strategies, Machine Learning, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics and the Internet of Things, are nowadays conventional tools.
“While only 3% of surveyed companies are ready for large-scale deployment of Industry 4.0, more than half are already experimenting with smart manufacturing technologies,” a recent report by the Society of Manufacturing Engineers informed.
Manufacturers are now more flexible as Industry 4.0 is changing the expectations of partners, suppliers, distributors, Logistics companies, Transportation and above all, the end-consumer.
Manufacturing strategies moving beyond walls
“Amazon effect” is affecting the entire Industry and setting the pace for businesses and their Supply Chain, making manufacturers to find the appropriate technology to keep the pace and rapidly close performance gaps in their own Supply Chain. Some manufacturers are looking for customisation as a competitive advantage, others are focusing on speed, and they want infinite flexibility.
The Internet of Things (IoT) and smartphones allow customers to order products and track them across the Supply Chain, from raw materials to the finished goods, and then, delivering to the final consumer.
Manufacturers are now looking to 3D printing to enable more last-minute and customised production, others are using 3D printing technology to build their parts, and 3D-printed titanium components are now commonly used on planes. Some smaller manufacturers are using it in packaging to offer last-minute flexibility. 3D printing gives the Supply Chain and Logistics commercial model flexibility, completely changing Logistics distribution of a product.
Reverse Logistics (ways of getting the products back into the service shop) are becoming increasingly important for manufacturers, taking more responsibilities for maintenance, upgrades and keeping the platform operational, making Logistics procedures entirely different.
Can your company adapt to this competitive Logistics?
A report by the Smart Manufacturing Experience found that “43%of manufacturers say the industry is already seeing significant changes due to digital technology solutions. Smart manufacturing can offer increased productivity, improved operations, better decision making and increased competitiveness.”
The goal is about speed, quality and providing more value to customers; the point to start will be for suppliers and Logistics providers, a roadmap and framework that includes the integration of business and manufacturing systems.
We can see a significant shift towards visibility and innovating trends, but by all means, there is still a misalignment among manufacturers and many Logistics providers, who want to visualise all the Supply Chain and its processes.
CONCLUSIONS: Leading players in the freight Logistics are now talking about how they can respond to this change in a positive way and delight, above all, their customers. They want too to know where are their products all across the Supply Chain, and they are looking for tools and technologies that can provide visibility.
Digitisation is already affecting the Supply Chain; although some companies are not able to make a change to 4.0 Industry, they must do the transition to smart manufacturing a soon as possible.
Dave Food
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