Supply chain

The electronics supply chain is highly dynamic, complex and disaggregated. It has changed significantly in recent years, and continues to change, as a result of increased product complexity and the shift of component manufacturing to lower cost economies. These changes bring new challenges for UK-based electronics companies in terms of managing extended supply chains, taking strategic decisions and making the most of e-business. There are also challenges associated with new environmental regulations, especially in design and end-of-life management. The whole industry, including small companies, needs to develop new skills if it is to maintain a global presence.

A Supply Chain Workstream group will respond to the challenges identified above and work to raise awareness of the value of better supply chain management across the industry. It will focus in particular on skills provision (working with the Skills & Education Workstream), on the need for tools to aid strategic supply chain decision-making, and on the role of benchmarking in improving supply chain management.