Christelle Delenclos

The story of the manufacturing industry has been one of progress. Few manufacturers continue to produce the same products as they did in their infancy years. In order to remain competitive, manufacturers must continue to evolve their products to meet the demands of the marketplace. But meeting consumer demand is only half the battle — the other half is staying up to speed with industry advancements. New technology brings a host of changes that manufacturers must recognize. For example, increasing dependence on automation leads to the need for more skilled workers who understand these advanced systems. If workers cannot adapt successfully, organizations could find themselves struggling to keep up with the rest of the industry. To remain competitive in this dynamic environment, organizations should have several tools at their disposal that go beyond the physical equipment and technology innovations used in their facilities. These tools are ideas manufacturers can keep in their toolbox and use to produce next-level productivity. For example, one tool can be an investment in regular maintenance, which can ensure that machinery stays in service for as long as possible. This results in higher productivity and fewer costly downtime periods. For more ideas manufacturing companies should keep…

Change is certainly going to come, and a number of developments are expected to impact the supply chain in 2025. That includes the increased adoption of artificial intelligence (AI) and robotics, investment growth in renewable energy, and momentum gains for nearshoring. No matter what happens in 2025, Supply Chain Now will be there every day to serve as the voice of the industry and keep supply chain podcast listeners informed about the big ideas as well as the little changes that could make a big impact. Ongoing Disruptions Are Set to Impact Industry The question isn’t whether there will be supply chain disruptions in 2025. It’s a matter of when, where, and the cause of the disruption. The International Longshoremen’s Association could go on strike again in January if a contract agreement is not reached. The Houthi could stage more attacks on containerships in the Red Sea at any time. And weather-related disasters could range from deadly ice storms to floods to hurricanes anywhere in the country. “Looking ahead to 2025, we can predict some major shifts and challenges for supply chains. Right now, businesses around the world are facing increasing pressure to adapt to new technologies, environmental impacts, and…