Manufacturing logistics and procurement – August 2022

Packaging decision makers forced to reprioritise
A study by R.R. Donnelley & Sons Company has found that the market’s most pressing challenges have forced packaging decision makers to shift priorities and rethink operations, with 90% changing how their packs are sourced.

Packaging machinery
Universitas Mercu Buana researchers analysed losses on blow moulding machine units in plastic packaging manufacturing companies. They found that the largest losses were breakdown losses with a value of 36.4% or 15,849 hours. The second largest losses were setup and adjustment losses with a value of 20.1% or 8,752 hours of machine operating time. An article (364 kB) about the research is published in the Proceedings of the 4th African International Conference on Industrial Engineering and Operations Management.
For his master thesis (5.04 MB) at the University of South-Eastern Norway, Peshawa Galali analysed a predictive maintenance application for packaging machines.

Packaging design: improving the fill rate
Researchers at Edinburgh Business School have aimed to systematically identify, evaluate and categorise packaging intervention to improve fill rate that can reduce the economic and environmental impact of logistics operations. An article (749 kB) about the research is published in Cleaner Logistics and Supply Chain.

Robots and cobots
PMMI has published a report on robotics and cobots. The report presents emerging technologies and compiles predicted growth in the years ahead. It examines the predictions made three years ago in the 2019 report and it also explores the key trends. You can download a summary of the report after filling in your email address.
ASTM International has launched a new subcommittee on robotics grasping and manipulation.

New technologies
ASTM International has launched ASTM Xcellerate™, a program focused on strengthening the world’s emerging technology from research to standards.
Made Smarter has conducted a survey (133 kB) of UK SME manufacturers to see how the last two years have affected their industry and their approach to adopting new technologies. Two-in-five manufacturers (38%) revealed they have plans to invest in or adopt new technology in the next two or three years. Meanwhile, one in three respondents said their latest business strategy included integrating digital technology or a roadmap towards automation.

Digitalisation
Ivalua has published a report entitled ‘Transforming Procurement: Embracing Digital Innovation and Driving Sustainability’. For the report, WBR Insights surveyed 100 procurement leaders across Europe. Over half of the respondents (53%) are currently confident in the resiliency of their supply chains, while 20% of the respondents are somewhat confident. Only 11% of respondents said they were not confident or extremely unconfident. One of the key findings is the need for automation to improve supply chain resiliency. You can download the report after filling in your details.
Mettler Toledo has published a white paper about the food safety digital maturity at different stages of the supply chain and what it means for manufacturers operating at those stages. You can download the white paper after filling in your details.
 

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