While production is in full swing to meet the demand for the festive season, makers across sectors are facing a range of challenges, including rising energy prices, supply chain disruption and labour shortages. However, changing consumer habits towards more sustainable products, online shopping and supporting small businesses instead of huge corporations are also creating opportunities for growth.
The guide, 'Is digital technology the key to success during busy periods such as Christmas?' is expected to help demystify digitalisation and drive technology adoption. The document includes topics such as how digital tools can help: plan production and capacity, oversee and manage the workforce, forecast demand, and inventory needs, manage stock levels and optimise picking and automate the packaging process.
It also has case studies of Made Smarter-supported manufacturers who are reaping the benefits of investing in technology which is helping them cope with increasing demand during busy periods.
Seven Bro7hers Brewery, based in Salford, is investing to automate their packaging line which will increase productivity, capacity. The technology will also give them data on production line performance, which will support their decision-making.
Ye Olde Friars, a chocolate maker in Cumbria, has also benefited from automation, replacing the manual, repetitive and incredibly time-consuming process of filling moulds with chocolate.
Other manufacturers have invested in software to enable efficient planning, effective inventory monitoring and a view of the supply chain.
Fox Timber, who make timber products, based in Chorley, used digital tools to digitise their delivery service and improve workforce management.
Pearsons Glass, a glass maker in Liverpool, implemented stock management through software that integrates with their webshop and automatically generates a pick list for the operator. It also tells them where the products are kept in the stockroom, along with the most efficient route to collect them.
Donna Edwards, programme director for Made Smarter’s North West adoption programme, said: “The festive period is traditionally one of the busiest times of the year for many manufacturers who will also be experiencing tough conditions amid increased energy and materials prices, and supply chain and labour challenges.
“Thankfully, there are numerous technologies you can employ to prepare yourself for the seasonal surge, remain competitive, and set yourself up for success all year round.
“For manufacturers the Christmas rush will highlight bottlenecks and other issues with their processes. The Made Smarter team can work with them to identify potential solutions to these challenges and support them to develop an implementation plan to ensure success in 2023.”