MHI Newswire

In looking at the show floor seminar offerings for the upcoming MODEX expo in Atlanta, it looks like Omni-Channel will be a big topic this year as retailers struggle to determine how to design integrated technology systems that support a range of physical, online and mobile sales channels.

Leaders in logistics, IT, marketing and sales must collaborate to analyze data about customers and use that information to tailor technology solutions that suit the company’s customers and make these systems work. The sessions offered at MODEX should help in that effort.

Over the past five years we have experienced a dramatic change in the role that manufacturing has played as part of the fabric that ties together our global economies. No longer seen as simply "black boxes" in the supply network that simply consumed materials and produced products — manufacturing has experienced a renaissance whereby investment has returned with an expectation of continued growth into the future.

In today's demand-driven reality, the role of the factory has evolved to necessitate greater flexibility and an ability to adapt to real-time sales information, resulting in better customer satisfaction, efficiency and profits.

A Chinese manufacturing gauge signaled the first contraction in six months in January as companies cut jobs and credit-market stresses damped confidence in the world’s second-biggest economy. 

A Purchasing Managers’ Index fell to 49.5 from 50.5 in December, HSBC Holdings Plc and Markit Economics said in a statement today. The reading compared with the median 49.6 estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of 14 economists. A number below 50 indicates contraction.

The competitive pressure on members of the global electronics sector has never been greater. 

While electronics OEMs recognize that their supply chains represent a significant opportunity to gain efficiencies, reduce cost, and boost market share, many struggle to take their supply chain process improvement efforts beyond the proverbial low-hanging fruit. At Avnet, we recommend customers consider inbound supply chain segmentation as a logical step in their journey toward supply chain excellence.

The PMI, the index used by the ISM to measure manufacturing activity, fell 5.2 percent to 51.3 in January, which is 2.5 percent below the 12-month average of 53.8 and its lowest reading since last May’s 50.0.

 The PMI is still over the 50 mark—which is the benchmark of strong economic activity—in 13 of the last 14 months, coupled with the overall economy growing now for 56 straight months, according to the ISM.

For product-oriented companies, the last leg of the supply chain is often the most inefficient. Urban streets are clogged with trucks, vans, and motorcycles operating on behalf of companies ranging from logistical giants to local grocery delivery chains. What if there was a solution that offered increased service levels and efficiency along with reduced labor and environmental costs? What companies are best positioned to capitalize on this emerging technology, and how could it impact future business operations? 

As manufacturing businesses across many industry sectors begin to report an increase in demand, there is growing concern that supply chains may not be able to cope and strategic supply partnerships are becoming even more critical as a result. 

Over the course of the downturn some supply chains have stripped out as much as 40 percent of their capacity as a result of drastic action to right size to meet depressed levels of demand.

Mobility is a hot topic of discussion across the supply chain these days. Our customers are certainly asking us about mobile enablement for supply chain collaboration as well as data collection. The ability to keep the supply chain moving, regardless of an individual’s location, makes a lot of sense.

If a buyer can approve a PO change request from a supplier without being tethered to a desktop system, that’s a good thing. And, if a supplier can get a notification that a line item will be delayed to a buyer in real time, or the quantity split-shipped because of availability issues, that can also help avoid delays and disruptions down the line.

U.S. Consumer goods and machinery and equipment manufacturers were the primary drivers of exports to China growing at an average annual rate of 12.2% between 2008 and 2013, reaching $124.2 billion. These numbers, courtesy of the United States International Trade Commission and IBISWorld, are evidence of China's growing middle class and aging population.

Furthermore, IBISWorld analysts say that exposure to China’s growing economy is becoming increasingly important for American manufacturers, especially as domestic demand for many products remains stagnant.

The world markets and global supply distribution chains provide opportunities for companies to grow and prosper. Sales through the Internet allow for products to be sold and sent to almost anywhere in the world. Consumers can view and order products online at any time of the day. 

Manufacturers work to keep up with the demand and are constantly looking for ways to reduce costs through efficient manufacturing and low-cost supply of materials and components. These opportunities and markets, however, have created and encouraged the growth of counterfeit goods and the theft of companies’ intellectual property.

U.S. vessel imports were up 3.7 percent from 2012, which totaled over 18.2 million TEUs (twenty-foot containers) brought into the United States last year. U.S. imports in 2013 started off at a slow start but ended with a surprising and unexpected surge from July through December. Annual TEUs haven’t been this high since 2007, which is a good sign for a strong recession rebound in the U.S. trade industry. So far in 2014, the first three weeks of imports in January are already 5.2 percent higher than the same time last year.

The North American robotics market recorded its best year ever in 2013, with a total of 22,591 robots valued at $1.39 billion shipped.  These are among the new statistics reported by Robotic Industries Association (RIA), the industry’s trade group. 

This beat the previous record of 20,328 robots valued at $1.29 billion shipped in 2012. These records for robotic shipments represent growth of 11% in units and seven percent in dollars.  When sales by North American robot suppliers to companies outside North America are included, the totals are 25,772 robots valued at $1.57 billion.