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Weekly Roundup - Supply Chain Expo in Beijing, Production Delays in Aviation and Retailers Top Priority in 2024

Yulia Fedorova

01 Dec 2023

China's Premier Li Qiang expressed his opposition to protectionism and emphasized the need to strengthen supply chains with all countries at the International Supply Chain Expo in Beijing. Many nations have raised concerns about their dependence on China for supply chains, leading the US and EU to seek ways to reduce reliance on China and "de-risk" their supply chains. Recent geopolitical tensions have caused foreign businesses to divert investment away from China towards countries like India, Mexico, and Vietnam. However, despite the decrease in US and European investment in China, a survey shows that 45% of firms still plan to expand their supply chain in China. Analysts believe that the measures being considered by the US and EU may not match the scale of the risk. The recent improvement in US-China relations should further strengthen China's position as a manufacturing hub.

Emirates' CEO, Tim Clark, addressed challenges in the aviation industry's supply chain at the "Airlines 2023 Conference" in London. He emphasized the significant production delays and flight bans caused by reported defects in engines and aircraft cells. Clark urged manufacturers to prioritize quality over speed, stressing the importance of not compromising construction quality for cost or time-saving reasons. He highlighted problems such as improperly drilled holes in airplanes and concerns about a specific engine for the Airbus A350-1000. Despite these challenges, Clark expressed optimism about Emirates' future, with plans for growth and expansion in its route network.

According to a report by the Capgemini Research Institute, increasing the efficiency and resiliency of the supply chain is a top priority for retailers and brands heading into the new year. The report states that 80% of industry executives are looking to create more efficient supply chains in response to various challenges. Additionally, nearly 79% of those polled said they are actively diversifying their supplier base. The report also highlights the growing trend of nearshoring, with 83% of organizations surveyed actively investing in friend-shoring to strengthen supply chain networks with political and economic allies. Nearshoring offers benefits such as reduced transportation costs, increased oversight, and a more sustainable supply chain. The report also emphasizes the importance of digitalizing supply chains and optimizing product mix to enhance sales.

Read more on recent highlights
Dive deep into research

"Application of Machine Learning in Supply Chain Management: A Comprehensive Overview of the Main Areas" by Erfan Babaee Tirkolaee, Saeid Sadeghi, Farzaneh Mansoori Mooseloo, Hadi Rezaei Vandchali, Samira Aeini (2021)

"Artificial Intelligence in Operations Management and Supply Chain Management: An Exploratory Case Study" by Petri Helo, Yuqiuge Hao (2022)

Events
GO Wipes Europe

When: 4.- 5. December 2023

Where: Berlin, Germany

What: GO Wipes is bringing together the entire wipes supply chain, this event is designed through research conducted directly with the industry to explore the latest in science, technology, business, and EU regulations.


Cross-Industry Digital Transformation

When: 4.- 5. December 2023

Where: Berlin, Germany

What: Digital Transformation is fast becoming a new norm in the current business environment. Today, we know that this new hype will impact everything, technological arms race is real, but for it to empower us all it should first and foremost be explicable. The unpredictability is now becoming a looming issue which increases the need to find ways of making deep learning more understandable and accountable to gain the most from digital transformation. This event will help you to get visionary and strategic insights into how digital transformation is reshaping the world of work.


Black Hat Europe 2023

When: 4.- 7. December 2023

Where: London, UK

What: Black Hat provides attendees with the latest in research, development, and trends in Information Security. Here the brightest professionals and researchers in the industry come together for a total of four days—two or four days of deeply technical hands-on training, followed by two days of the latest research and vulnerability disclosures in the briefings.



Adhesives & Bonding Expo Europe

When: 5.- 7. December 2023

Where: Stuttgart, Germany

What: Adhesives & Bonding Expo Europe is the largest, free trade fair and conference for industrial bonding products and manufacturing on the continent. It provides visitors with the perfect opportunity for face-to-face collaboration across the entire supply chain. Plus, brand new for 2023 includes the launch of Thermal Management Expo Europe and you only need one pass to access all three shows and there are no hidden fees.



Foam Expo Europe

When: 5.- 7. December 2023

Where: Stuttgart, Germany

What: Foam Expo Europe is the largest free trade fair and conference for technical foam products and manufacturing methods on the continent. Together with the same-a-site sister event Adhesives & Bonding Expo Europe, it offers visitors a great opportunity for personal cooperation across the entire supply chain.



3rd Annual Smart & Connected Manufacturing Conference

When: 6.- 7. December 2023

Where: Berlin, Germany

What: For industries rooted in innovation, rapid and frequent changes are commonplace. Staying current with evolving technologies and regulations is paramount. This is why our event production begins with in-depth research at its core. We extend invitations to esteemed senior specialists to share their expertise at our conferences, providing the most innovative practices for top-tier presentations.



Weekly Roundup