Planning, procurement, innovation and logistics will be executives’ main supply chain challenges over the course of this year. This is revealed in the 2023 Supply chain priorities and challenges report by the American Productivity & Quality Center (APQC).
Yossi Sheffi, Director of the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, highlights how robotics and AI are changing and augmenting jobs. The author also delves into the tools that will help professionals be more productive in supply chain management.
Enhancing human–robot interaction in warehouses is crucial due to increasing degrees of automation in logistics centers. Research by the Technical University of Munich and the University of Cologne in Germany reveals the mechanisms that improve collaboration between operators and robots.
Dr. Teresa de la Cruz, Project Manager at the Zaragoza Logistics Center, analyses how disruptive logistics has revolutionised numerous industrial sectors. Part of Industry 4.0, disruptive logistics has made digital transformation common practice.
Interview with Pilar López, Industrial Director at Natura Bissé, a leading manufacturer of cosmetics for all skin types. López explains how digitisation has shortened customer lead times in addition to providing an overview of all stock.
Interview with Dejan Šeruga, General Manager of Carglass in Slovenia, a leading company in the repair, replacement and recalibration of vehicle glass. Šeruga explains the benefits of digitising Carglass’s warehouse in Slovenia with Easy WMS software: error elimination and optimised operations.
Mecalux interviews Vaggelis Giannikas, Director of the Centre for Smart Warehousing and Logistics Systems at the University of Bath (UK). Professor Giannikas stresses the importance of flexible logistics and digitisation for an efficient supply chain.
Dr. Susana Val, Director of the Zaragoza Logistics Center, analyses a solution to optimise the last mile: digital lockers. One of the most obvious advantages of digital lockers is that they can reduce travel for 3PL service providers.
Robert Overstreet's study shows the relationship between types of return policy modifications and degrees of customer satisfaction. The author says that retailers should communicate transparently and change their returns policies in a targeted way.
Big data in the supply chain can provide major benefits in product manufacturing, storage, transport and distribution. With big data tools, companies can implement analytics methods that foster informed decision-making in the supply chain.
Interview with Jesús García, Spare Parts Department Manager at the Motos Bordoy Group, a company in Spain's two-wheeler sector. García explains how digitisation has cut customer service times and provides a general overview of all stock.
Nils Boysen, Chair of Operations Management at Friedrich Schiller University Jena, talks about the advantages of logistics automation. Prof. Boysen explains how the consolidation of e-commerce has led to an increase in warehouse automation.
Professor Luca Urciuoli analyses the causes and potential risks of cyberattacks on companies' supply chains. Prof. Urciuoli also lays out several measures businesses can take to avoid the possible effects of cyberattacks on their supply chains.
Mecalux employs predictive analytics to help customers identify improvement opportunities in their warehouses and power their businesses. In warehousing, predictive analytics consists of applying a set of techniques and technologies such as artificial intelligence and machine learning.
Takumi Tagashira finds that investing in warehouse automation and media efforts increases sales. The author of the study and Associate Professor of Marketing at Hitotsubashi University in Japan believes these results to be relevant for e-commerce retailers.
Interview with Itamar Ferrari, Logistics Manager at Copacol, a Brazilian business specializing in food production and marketing. Ferrari explains how technology has boosted Copacol's warehouse productivity by 20%, in addition to ensuring accurate traceability of goods stored.
Interview with Mikel Jaureguizar, General Manager of Normagrup, a Spanish manufacturer of electrical equipment for companies in all industries. Jaureguizar explains how technology has transformed and optimised the supply chain of this leading company in the emergency lighting sector.
Interview with Rafael Salinas, Head of Operations for International Subsidiaries at Porcelanosa Group, a leading business in the ceramics sector. Salinas explains how automated storage systems and Easy WMS warehouse management software have streamlined the company's five logistics centres in Vila-real, Spain.
Beatriz Royo and Teresa de la Cruz of the MIT-affiliated Zaragoza Logistics Center analyse the future of last-mile logistics. The two authors explain how last-mile delivery is crucial for economic development and ensuring the efficient transport of goods.
Mecalux presents Best Practices in Warehousing 4.0, a digital programme with interviews, success stories and analyses of logistics trends. The programme features the participation of experts Yossi Sheffi and Joakim Kembro, as well as executives from international companies Würth Modyf, Copacol, and FIC.
