Your business produces vast amounts of communication every day. Colleagues communicate informally via email, WhatsApp, Slack and numerous other platforms. It’s quick and easy, but is it smart? What happens to all the information being bounced back and forth via these channels?
The food industry is under pressure. Competition over scale, costs and prices is intense. How should you deal with price fluctuations? Approached in the right way, you’ll make a profit. If not, you could be faced with significant expenses.
Smart Industry, Industry 4.0, Digital Manufacturing. Much has been written and discussed recently about “the digital factory”. A factory where everything is fully automated and paperless. How realistic is that digital factory and to what extent is it necessary for manufacturers to (rapidly) achieve this? We will discuss these two questions further here.
The production strategy of many companies is changing. Shifting to assemble-to-order production, manufacturers are focusing more on R&D, sales & marketing, purchase and production assembly. To stay competitive these companies constantly focus on lead time reduction, searching for new lean methodologies to keep operational margins healthy.
Legislation and regulation are in almost continual movement, affected by initiatives from VAT changes to SEPA. They often relate to financial administration, but certain industries are also heavily affected by regulations in other areas of their business. Retailers and suppliers often then make additional mutual agreements as to how rules can be best implemented to streamline the supply chain. Given the significance of proper rule application, how can businesses ensure they stay fully in-line and up to date?
No sugar, fewer carbohydrates, gluten-free. Mindful and healthy eating is hot. Consumers are turning away from unhealthy products en masse and embracing one superfood trend after another. How do you respond to this as a food manufacturer? Do you go wherever the wind blows? Or do you still need to master the art of versatility?
Nowadays, there should be a Chief Innovation Officer in every boardroom, with innovation comprehensively embedded in the business strategy. This is the only way to keep up with an ever-changing playing field. No time to hesitate- it’s time for action!
The Internet of Things (IoT) is hotter than ever. Barely a day goes by that we don’t see a new innovative application of the technology in an unexpected setting. The possibilities seem almost endless, and if you don’t get in now, you’re likely to do all your competitors a favor. And faster than you think. In short, time for action!
In today’s global market space, speed is now the key differentiator. When labour costs are high and quality is a must, short lead times become the key to remaining competitive.
Tablet computers, smartphones, and other communications technologies are rapidly changing the way we do our business. And this doesn’t just apply to the office. Studies from analyst firms like Gartner have shown that some manufacturing businesses are also successfully boosting efficiency by adopting this technology on the shop floor.
