agiplan publishes the “Production and Logistics Report” 2022

The logistics consultant agiplan publishes the Production and Logistics Report 2022. In challenging times marked by the Corona pandemic, supply shortages, and a shortage of skilled workers, production and logistics companies are consistently and comprehensively focusing on digitalization, modernization, and efficiency. In contrast, product and technology development, as well as surprisingly concrete measures for resilience, seem far less significant.

(Mülheim/Ruhr) This is the conclusion of the “Production and Logistics Report 2022,” recently published by agiplan GmbH. The 18-page report is the result of a survey of 143 companies in the production and logistics sector aimed at identifying current planning trends against the backdrop of industry-specific challenges.

“The levers for greater efficiency and higher productivity in production and logistics remain digitalization and automation. However, other trends and topics are gaining relevance: Material shortages and fluctuations in order intake, affecting over 80 percent of the surveyed companies, are making an optimized supply chain a core topic,” explains Dr. Christian Jacobi, Managing Partner of agiplan GmbH.

Reviewing disrupted supply chains and making them more transparent is also on the agenda, as is building alternative supplier networks for critical parts. Similarly, challenges such as the shortage of skilled workers, productivity losses, and reached capacity limits are bringing the topics of modernization, rationalization, and automation even more into focus for planning.

Automation is intended to increase productivity

Automation, in particular, is a relevant investment area for many companies to increase productivity and address the shortage of skilled workers amid dynamic business growth. Here, as well as in digitalization measures, the focus is more on software than on hardware. The increasing relevance of big data, cloud computing, and artificial intelligence (AI) suggests that investments in modern technologies and the optimization of structures and processes are intended to elevate the company to an advanced level.

Surprisingly low importance of resilience

Surprisingly, in light of the changes and new challenges that companies face due to the Corona pandemic, natural disasters, or raw material shortages, the comparatively low importance that the topic of resilience holds for German companies is notable. In relation to measures in the areas of digitalization and automation, the focus on strategically positioning the company preventively is relatively low.

Sustainable action requires financial incentives

The topic of sustainability is also on the agenda for companies, but with a clear reference to economic viability. Investing solely in ecologically motivated measures must be something a company can afford. However, if financial incentives are provided through sustainable actions, companies become active, especially regarding social improvements in the workplace.

Download the report

Photos: © agiplan