Inside the Challenges of Transportation and Logistics at the Module Level

In manufacturing, transporting individual modules to create a single product can be a logistical nightmare.

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Plagued with interruptions and miscommunications, an individual facility must be able to coordinate through careful strategies to meet requirements and expectations. There are several major factors to consider in logistics and transportation building module-level products, all of which come together to create your business.

First challenge: Environmental factors

Transportation and logistics can significantly impact the surrounding environment, but they are just as easily affected by changes in weather and climate. The demand for speed must be weighed against the sustainability of such operations, while complicated supply chains can create avoidable impacts on the environment. Consumption of resources and subsequent waste are also important factors for manufacturing, straining natural resources and limiting availability.

Solution

Companies must know where modules originate from, as they may not be aware of areas of improvement that could reduce the distance traveled and overall emissions. Knowledge of where a module comes from also enables optimization of the route it takes to reach the manufacturing facility, reducing fuel costs alongside carbon footprint. Overall, environmentally conscious practices help reduce costs and improve accessibility to resources.

Second challenge: Labor factors

It has been recently observed that upwards of 76 percent of logistics operators are suffering from labor shortages . Of course, a lack of workers to transport goods to the manufacturing facility will result in slowed production and loss of profits. As demand for a product grows and consumers expect increased speed, transportation of goods to the facility only takes longer.

Solution

There isn’t an easy solution to this problem, but a product roadmap can help clarify where modules will be delayed and provide alerts in these cases. If the manufacturing facility is still struggling to transport goods, third-party logistics companies, contractors and even reducing hiring requirements can help alleviate these problems.

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Third challenge: Geo-political factors

Amid ongoing world conflict, manufacturing facilities must account for changes in the global landscape, including new government policies, improved or worsened international relations, sanctions and other tensions. Each of these factors can increase costs along the supply chain or disrupt them entirely, preventing modules from reaching facilities in the first place. World politics cannot be ignored in an increasingly global society when shipping lanes outsourcing acts as the lifeblood of many companies.

Solution:

Even in times of peace, a manufacturer needs to understand where they can source the modules necessary to build their final product. Alternatives may be costlier, but it pays to diversify the supply chain in anticipation of increased tension and sanctions. Geo-political moves often come as a surprise, and there won’t be time to respond before revenue takes a hit.

Fourth challenge: Human error

The long-time adversary of production, human error has single-handedly resulted in disastrous outcomes for manufacturers worldwide. Therefore, it must be considered in day-to-day operations. As a guarantee, human error is unavoidable but can be mitigated with the proper systems in place.

Solution:

Clear hierarchies and processes help ensure that any worker will not have too great an impact on transportation and logistics, and a clear understanding of when and where modules are expected to be goes a long way in preventing issues from growing into disasters. Transparent communication ensures that the location of a module or product is observable and consistent with expectations.

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