Hurricane Milton has blown through Florida. In addition to continuing havoc since it occurred close behind Hurricane Helene, it has created further supply chain disruptions that will have ripples throughout the globe.
Given the uncertainty of the economy creating extreme push outs and pull ins with customer orders, only those companies that can successfully deal with uncertain and changing conditions can thrive. Companies that automate, create value and digitize will drive bottom-line results.
According to the WorldMetrics.org report, 89% of manufacturers believe automation is key to increasing productivity. More importantly to increasing profitable growth, the report also finds that automation reduces manufacturing lead time by 75%.
Download Lisa's mid-year special report, FutureScape: Crafting Tomorrow's Supply Chain Today.
Companies are overwhelmed with data. There is ERP related data, global supply chain data, world economic data, industry and market data, customer and supplier data, email communications, and the list goes on.
You would have to be hiding under a rock to not hear that the market sold off. The S&P 500 sold off 3%; the Dow tumbled 1,000 points, and tech company leaders lost a combined $1 trillion intraday (recovering almost half later in the day).
During a discussion with manufacturing and supply chain professionals at the Association of Supply Chain Management chapter of Orange County, California, we reviewed the top supply chain challenges impacting clients and colleagues around the world.
According to the ISM, "The Manufacturing PMI", a measure of manufacturing activity, registered at 48.5% in June, which is a decline from 48.7% in May.
The world faces economic headwinds. According to the Economist, Europe’s economy only grew at 4% this decade as compared with 8% of the United States and is struggling with a triple shock of the energy crisis, surging Chinese imports, and the threat of tariffs from the United States.
There is substantial geopolitical risk with China. Look no further than the South China Seas. Philippine officials say Chinese forces seized two naval boats in a disputed South China Sea shoal. A few days prior, a Philippine ship and a Chinese vessel collided. It is a risky situation in the South China Seas.
