INDUSTRY NEWS
Supply Chain Resilience is Key
It came to our mind when writing this article that it is exactly three years since the last Surface World Show in September 2018 . Where has that time gone ? A lot has happened since Plating- Line-Advice had a successful debut at the show .
Apart from a number of very successful projects completed , a major unforeseen spanner was thrown into the machinery of business in the form of a global pandemic , the like of which had not been experienced for one hundred years .
It is hopefully now in the transition from “ pandemic ” to “ endemic ” in those countries with a successful vaccine rollout . We will continue to develop methods to enable us to carry on with as normal as possible personal and business life alongside the virus in the future .
To improve resilience by gaining better control over their supply chain is an important factor companies are considering as a result of the pandemic .
Plating-Line-Advice see from industry feedback and incoming enquiries for technical assistance that there is a definite desire on behalf of individual enterprises to “ take back control ”. Not in the Dominic Cummings way but to ensure continuity of deliveries and control of costs .
We are receiving more enquiries from clients wishing to “ on shore ” production as the cost advantages of the Far East which were already being eroded by labour increases are heavily disadvantaged by the huge increases in shipping costs . There is also the desire to increase UK content to meet “ country of origin ” requirements of our new international trade agreements .
For those businesses with significant production volumes the balance of advantages in bringing surface treatment operations closer to home or in house have moved significantly .
To guarantee supply chain resilience , by way of quality assurance , security of delivery and control of costs is critical to business success and growth .
It is good to see the exhibition world coming back to life after it ’ s enforced Covid shutdown along with international travel which will give a positive uplift to commerce .
Virtual exhibitions have their place but , in our view , to be able to meet with key industry players face to face in a targeted and focused event is better .
Plating-Line-Advice are looking forward to Surface World 2022 next March at the NEC and the opportunity to assist those business who have a desire to “ take back control ”.
“ Peace of Mind through Confidence ”
Contact- Will Green FIMF
Telephone : + 44 ( 0 ) 7481 322263 Email : will @ plating-line-advice . com Visit : http :// www . plating-line-advice . com
Visit us on Stand C11 at Surface World Live 2nd-3rd March 2022 , Hall 11 , NEC Birmingham UK
14 SEPTEMBER 2021 twitter : @ surfaceworldmag