Logistics Industry Trends in 2022

Logistics Industry Trends in 2022

I thought this would be a good starting point for discussion. Logistics industry trends are starting to transform how we live and work. They will continue to do this for the foreseeable future. Awareness of these trends is critical if you’re trying to stay ahead of future challenges and find solutions for today’s realities. So, let’s dive in and explore these 6 topics for 2022. There are five critical elements to logistics, each of which defines activities within the supply chain. These five elements of logistics connect to the various logistics processes and actions undertaken within the supply chain. They are:
  • Packaging and unitisation
  • Inventory
  • Storage, warehousing, and materials handling
  • Transport
  • Information and control
Keep these in mind as we explore the top 6 innovations in Logistics for 2022!

Autonomous Vehicle Growth

As a growing trend in the logistics industry, some businesses have already started investing in research to create innovative autonomous delivery vehicles. By automating delivery of packages, there are lower costs, and efficiency increases. It’s thought that consumers can utilise these vehicles to make deliveries while car manufacturers will use them for development and research purposes. Since long journeys leave a significant carbon footprint and need a vast turnover of drivers, autonomous technology can partly drive vehicles, guiding them and assisting drivers on demanding runs. With this trend, companies will see a decrease in driver workload ando driver fatigue. Plus, the safety of each journey will improve as computers make fewer mistakes than humans – with significantly shorter reaction times, this can make a crucial difference. Taking this technology one step further, it can apply to pallet stackers and other worksite machinery. We will soon see developments to become semi-autonomous.

3D Printing

We can expect supply chains – both local and regional – to start utilizing this technology. 3D printing can decrease the necessity for mass production. Companies can modify their business models in line with just-in-time production, allowing for increased customization and less effort wasted on goods that consumers might not even want. Additionally, manufacturers can begin to produce fully tailored parts for each customer’s requirements, further decreasing waste and increasing manufacturing processes’ efficiency! And the benefits don’t stop there. 3D printers don’t actually produce waste – they apply layers of plastic, metal, synthetic resin, plaster, or ceramic without making waste. While conventional manufacturing procedures always involve some removal of material – whether through milling or sanding – additive manufacturing only actually consumes what it needs to. These machines are now used at various stages in the supply chain process. They are even spreading to distribution centres, where they assemble orders before shipping to worldwide consumers. Warehouses also use 3D printers when producing replacement parts and mock-ups, enabling companies to strive towards meeting demands faster.

Artificial Intelligence (AI)

Artificial Intelligence (AI) applications can make management much more efficient by utilizing data analytics software and planning more readily for modifications in demand and supply. Using AI can also help you make increasingly accurate predictions about a vehicle’s status, which, in turn, helps with scheduling maintenance and fuel allocation. For supply chains and logistics, AI can help supply chain managers make better decisions by predicting unforeseen abnormalities and creating solutions to streamline production scheduling. AI can also have an important impact on safety, delivery time, and even delivery turn. While already being used in this industry, AI has considerable potential to expand and find other ways to impact the logistics Industry.

Cloud-Based Systems

You may have seen cloud-based systems before since they are becoming ever popular in the logistics sector. Companies in logistics can significantly benefit from adopting cloud-based systems to optimize their processes. With this new technology comes the advantages of increased reliability, straightforward scalability, and decreased costs. Companies can also enhance their security through data encryption and improve back-office processes.

Last-Mile Delivery

Last-mile delivery can be defined as the last part of delivering products from warehouses to the consumer. This trend has recently increased due to the worldwide Amazon Effect taking place. We are observing a rise of companies focused strictly on last-mile delivery. Some companies are focusing on introducing robotics into last-mile delivery. Czech startup BringAuto makes a last-mile delivery autonomous robot. The robot optimizes routes for faster deliveries and notifies customers of the expected arrival time. It continuously navigates from one address to another to improve time efficiency during the delivery process. Being autonomous ensures contactless and safer delivery. Moreover, it is electric, ensuring emission-free transportation. The startup also enables real-time shipment tracking via its mobile app for customer satisfaction.

Blockchain Technology

Blockchain is being utilized more and more within the logistics industry. By providing new solutions that help to make the logistics operations more efficient, transparent, and secure. As a decentralized ledger that records transactions and enables individuals to work without going through a third party, blockchain decreases the chance of fraud, making it almost impossible for an individual to modify data undetected. Blockchain can enhance visibility in inventory levels of organizations, for example, by offering updates on when products are delivered to consumers. This transparency enables businesses to provide timely notifications concerning a product’s availability after it has been sold out.

Conclusion

It’s evident that the logistics industry is ever-changing and evolving. It’s exciting to see where technology is driving change and inspiring to think about where this technology could end up. Tell us your thoughts on this topic!
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