The last quarter and end to a year that has brought much change and ongoing headwinds for global trade, including manufacturing and supply chain. Here’s what caught our eye between October, November and December in 2024, with major themes on utilising this period for supply chain and manufacturing transformation, looking at sustainability within your organisation and network, along with upgrading strategy and skills.
Organisations with optimal supply chain networks have 15% lower supply chain costs, less than 50% inventory holdings, and at least 3x faster cash-to-cash cycles when compared with businesses without optimised networks.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 2, 2024
Transform your OEM supply chain ⇢ https://t.co/uABJIyupZq pic.twitter.com/bn2Di1FwND
'Wait and see' for manufacturing:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 4, 2024
— Slight decrease in Manufacturing PMI as Autumn Budget awaits
— Solid increase in production volumes at end of Q3
— Growth of Output and New Orders eases slightly
— Manufacturing production rose for fifth consecutive month
[Via: S&P Global] pic.twitter.com/mpiDgAuN13
With Houthi attacks still disrupting the crucial Red Sea supply chain route one year on, the need for more 'elastic supply chains' continues to grow ⇢ https://t.co/ua0le9tLkR pic.twitter.com/qtuR5AT2uA
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 7, 2024
Make UK's vision for a manufacturing #IndustrialStrategy addressing:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 14, 2024
— skills & infrastructure
— investment & jobs
— productivity & living standards
— net zero targets
— growth for #UKmfg & wider economy
Download & review ⇢ https://t.co/PG5OfraaCU pic.twitter.com/FXr6zNLHNp
Read our blog on OEM supply chain transformation. Businesses with optimal supply chains reap massive benefits. Our services offer direct ways to unlock these.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 16, 2024
⇢ https://t.co/uABJIyupZq#ukmfg #scm #supplychain pic.twitter.com/7rbGTlxNlV
Advanced manufacturing is a highest growth opportunity sector in the new Government's Invest 2030 green paper on industrial strategy. On the brink of a new major investment cycle it is eliciting feedback for implementation/support
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 18, 2024
Read PDF ⇢ https://t.co/r0yHjEzUlt#ukmfg #4IR pic.twitter.com/feiEsa10Mf
Cybersecurity is essential for a healthy supply chain. Ask Vendor Security Questions (VSQs) to partners = the supply chain is only as strong as its weakest link.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 21, 2024
More on cyber-disruption here ⇢ https://t.co/r9oxJwKc9x
And our OEM cyber-security blog ⇢ https://t.co/CXyLtaEytV pic.twitter.com/qGStc14v1F
A new report from UNCTAD (UN Trade & Development) highlights a 50% drop in supply chain traffic through global maritime chokepoints.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 23, 2024
Takeaway: Work with a supply chain specialist to plan ahead & design workarounds.
More ⇢ https://t.co/TQp9zZrP4p pic.twitter.com/QUM18Rxh6M
Salesforce's Trends in Manufacturing report:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 25, 2024
85% of manufacturers believe they need to transform operations to stay ahead. Manufacturers are under pressure to evolve production due to supply change disruption, geopolitical & technological shifts.
More ⇢ https://t.co/qnX4vl4nZA pic.twitter.com/UIDtKiVS2u
Whatever the final form of the new UK budget, it is signalled to bring a long-term industrial strategy with advanced manufacturing as a major focus
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) October 30, 2024
According to Make UK/RSM, offshore manufacturing production coming back to the UK will be a result
More ⇢ https://t.co/n00LFtrqxd pic.twitter.com/yKsbPcjRNH
81% of companies see supply chain transformation as critical to their business success.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 1, 2024
Read "OEM supply chain transformation for competitive advantage." ⇢ https://t.co/uABJIyupZq pic.twitter.com/h1k5eEkDLz
18 of the future arenas set to reshape the global economy and generate $29-48 trillion of revenue by 2040 [massive McKinsey report].
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 4, 2024
Major implications. Where do you fit in the landscape? What does it mean for your manufacturing and supply chain?
⇢ https://t.co/pDiDRt9SFr pic.twitter.com/JQFTKzp7DP
The challenge of green manufacturing and supply chain.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 8, 2024
The transition and the technologies…
Read our blog ⇢ https://t.co/1ggvocAp0Z#ukmfg #greensupplychain #greenmanufacturing pic.twitter.com/T1HRsNnDi7
9/10 respondents in the Global Supply Chain Leader Survey by McKinsey say they encountered significant supply chain problems in 2024.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 11, 2024
Most companies don't have enough supply chain expertise.
(Acorn's services are a ready solution).
Read more ⇢ https://t.co/GFftdGiCTb pic.twitter.com/8ke8kDkDEl
71% think new technologies are making manufacturing more sustainable. With 90% of these saying it has improved efficiency and reduced waste.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 13, 2024
Read more about Green manufacturing and GSC (green supply chain) ⇢ https://t.co/1ggvocAp0Z pic.twitter.com/YUUYKaJjg3
Interesting to see how robotics pioneers like Figure are envisioning general assembly humanoid robot workers, and where vision meets hard reality currently, with this BMW case study ⇢ https://t.co/AjteW73e8z
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 18, 2024
75% of manufacturers identify skills shortages as their biggest barrier to growth.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 25, 2024
New report highlights the UK manufacturing skill shortage. Help alleviate your shortage with our supply chain service expertise.
⇢ https://t.co/FOwa5DJ1ab pic.twitter.com/baFVOIvKOA
October's UK manufacturing PMI, down to 49.9.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) November 27, 2024
Supply chain stress continues with shipping delays, disruption & shortages.
Positively, business optimism is recovering. Manufacturing Employment is increasing, Manufacturing Output continues to grow. Input costs are easing sharply. pic.twitter.com/M5SPsyseHZ
Decoding the UK Governments 'Invest 2035' industrial strategy green paper. Analysis & suggestions for final implementation from Make UK.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 2, 2024
— Manufacturing process (including supply chain!) needs to be the focus, not simply' final product'.
Read more ⇢ https://t.co/VAOwxbuFgR
Wonderful condensed set of The Economist's trends to watch in 2025:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 9, 2024
① America First, from trade to immigration and defence.
② Voters expect, and need to see, change.
③ Broader Disorder, geopolitical entanglements & crises abound.
Full 10 at ⇢ https://t.co/2Ch51NtXNV pic.twitter.com/Vev56W6tQ6
Strategy isn't a PowerPoint. Strategies fail when they're just goals, not clear choices. Real OEM strategy defines what you'll do—and won't do.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 11, 2024
Useful HBR article ⇢ https://t.co/4lqNtHI7qN
25% to 60% US trade tariffs are promised by Trump in a new protectionist push in 2025. It's a good time to check…
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 11, 2024
What the Last Trump Tariffs Did, According to Researchers ⇢ https://t.co/wiWgbM3XIk
November UK manufacturing PMI: 48
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 13, 2024
— Weak domestic & overseas demand, production is being scaled back
— Despite headwinds over half of manufacturers are still optimistic
— Rising inputs from raw materials and freight are causing manufacturers to seek aggressive cost efficiencies pic.twitter.com/heUCm5jOOK
UK Manufacturing Outlook Q4 by Make UK shows:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 16, 2024
① Output volumes grow after Q3 contraction.
② Orders flat domestically, but exports = positive.
③ Manufacturing growth -0.2% expected for full 2024, but growth forecast at 0.7% in 2025.
Read ⇢ https://t.co/Wre9yaOJQ6#ukmfg pic.twitter.com/8hleFFYKJv
It's fast approaching, so we're wishing you a Merry Christmas & New Year.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) December 18, 2024
Our working hours over this festive period are:
Closing: Tuesday, 1200, 24th December, 2024.
Re-opening: Thursday, 0730, 2nd January, 2025.
More at ⇢ https://t.co/9qpnjReQoz pic.twitter.com/O3iZNopiJm
