Manufacturing logistics and procurement – February 2020

Developments, goals and standards
According to a report (892 kB) presented by the World Economic Forum (WEF), 3D printing deserves the necessary attention from managers and policy makers in the coming years, because the technology is going to influence the entire world trade. Another study (7.9 MB) by the WEF in corporation with PwC, shows that 2/3 of the 169 targets underpinning the global Sustainable Development Goals could be bolstered by technological innovation.
During the Fruit Logistica 2020 in Berlin, the Common Footprint Quality (CFQ) standard was officially launched by the Fresh Produce Centre and the Corrugated Benelux Association (CBA). This CFQ standard is the new Benelux quality standard for fruit and vegetable boxes, made of corrugated cardboard and solid board. You can find more information here.
Précon has drawn up a cross table to clarify the differences between the old version and the new version of BRC Packaging, which has come into force. It can be obtained after filling in your details (in Dutch).
A paper (982 kB) by Darma Persada University researchers, entitled ‘Design of leak testing machines for automatic generic drug packaging pressure capacity of 0.4 atm’, is published in the Journal of Physics: Conference Series.

Digitalisation
According to research by October (in Dutch), two-thirds of SME entrepreneurs think that digitisation is necessary for the future growth of their organisation. However, based on the latest figures from research into ICT use among companies in the Netherlands, CBS (in Dutch) reports that small companies are less advanced with digitisation than large companies. Furthermore, 31% of manufacturing companies are lagging behind in digitisation and innovation, according a survey by Axians. This report can be downloaded after filling in your details (in Dutch).
The VIL (in Dutch) project 'Future Proof Warehousing' offers companies insight into the possibilities of digitisation and automation for more efficient, safe and future-proof warehouses.

Artificial intelligence
According to McKinsey, companies are increasingly using Artificial Intelligence (AI) in their standard processes. Research shows that organisations that rely on AI reduce costs and generate a higher profit.
Smart automation technologies such as robotic process automation, conversational interfaces, and cognitive automation can enable typical IT organizations to improve productivity by up to 23% while helping them reduce costs, improve effectiveness, and enhance customer experience, according to new IT research from The Hackett Group. This report can be downloaded after filling in your details.

Internet of things
Under the leadership of Wageningen Food & Biobased Research (in Dutch) and TNO (in Dutch) a consortium of parties will investigate what the use of Internet of Things (IoT) can do to prevent food waste in fresh logistics.
PMMI, working with IHS Markit, has developed an Industrial IoT Readiness report to understand the level of readiness and areas where further investment is needed. You can download the report after filling in your e-mail address.

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