Advanced military manufacturing is rapidly becoming a cornerstone of national security and economic resilience. Manufacturing capability has become a strategic advantage — and advanced technologies such as AI, automation, robotics, 3D printing, and hyperscale digital manufacturing are reshaping the future of the defense industrial base.
In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains what defines smart warehousing today: optimizing pick velocity; leveraging automation, robotics and advanced technologies; and managing energy and electricity demands. These factors are critical to improving efficiency, controlling costs and supporting customer service as volumes grow.
In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson explains how manufacturers can leverage advancements in drone technology to respond more quickly and effectively to customer needs. From improving responsiveness to enabling new delivery and operational capabilities, drones are opening new possibilities across the supply chain.
Hyperscale manufacturing is an emerging operating model that applies the speed, scalability, and modularity of tech companies to physical production. Hyperscale manufacturing has accelerated in importance as geopolitical risks, national security, and domestic requirements and capabilities have become of paramount importance.
U.S. labor productivity soared at a 4.9% rate in the most recent quarter as compared to the typical annualized rate of 2% during the current business cycle. We are seeing productivity gains across the board as manufacturers utilize predictive processes such as SIOP and advanced technologies such as AI, robotics, and the automation of processes and better utilization of ERP.
In this Supply Chain Byte, Lisa Anderson outlines three priorities for the year ahead. These priorities set the foundation for resilience, growth and sustained success in an increasingly complex environment.
Medical products manufacturing is gaining momentum as companies want to build resilience to mitigate risk in the supply chain. Executives have realized that they must better control their end-to-end supply chain to ensure supply as geopolitical risks, vulnerabilities, and disruptions continue to arise while tariffs also push companies to build domestic capacity.
Priorities that power the triple bottom line of social, environmental and financial performance are gaining momentum. Sustainable advancements, smart manufacturing and advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence are trending as they can deliver win-win improvements, supporting profitable growth and success.
During volatile times of heightened uncertainty, companies typically batten down the hatches to save money and avoid rocking the boat. As the business outlook pivots to the positive, demand will be stimulated, providing huge opportunities for those companies prepared to scale rapidly with AI and advanced technologies and serve customer needs.
What's trending in manufacturing was highlighted at the Valve Manufacturers Association (VMA) Annual Meeting. From discussions on utilizing AI to what's trending in water, data centers, geopolitics, supply chain and foundries, we provide highlights, stats, and implications for the future of manufacturers and extended supply chains.
