The UK packaging industry is a key economic driver. According to Innovate UK, the sector boasts annual sales of £11 billion and employs 85,000 people. Yet its manufacturers face tough challenges. Be it supporting the sustainability agenda, extending product shelf lives or offering new lightweight materials, they are all searching for new solutions. Adopting ERP is key to that transformation and NexSys is here to support manufacturers every step of the way.
Testing Times
The life cycle of a typical packaging product is reliant on innovation. From product research and development through to production processes, supply chain coordination, distribution and delivery, finding more efficient ways of doing things is central to success. The sector is under more pressure than ever to make packaging fit for purpose; using R&D to turn challenges into opportunities is what will ultimately separate the wheat from the chaff.
There is growing pressure across all parts of UK manufacturing to become more sustainable and tackle the environmental impact of single‐use plastics, putting the packaging sector well and truly under the spotlight.
Manufacturers are already investing significant resources in reducing their carbon footprint and legislators continue to up the ante. With business targets for overall packaging recycling increasing from 75.4% in 2016 to 82% by 2020, the industry continues to explore new ways of improving resource efficiency.
At the same time, packaging manufacturers are under pressure from a range of sectors to find new ways of cutting costs. As well as making packaging more lightweight and recyclable, it also needs to protect products, make them more resilient and extend their shelf life.
ERP at the Heart of Innovation
Those manufacturers prepared to innovate will prosper. There has never been a better time to use R&D to differentiate your offering. Be it supporting new product development, reducing waste or increasing productivity, ERP will play an integral role in helping businesses tool up for the challenges ahead.
NexSys’s suite of ERP solutions is designed specifically for manufacturers and its tools are ideally suited to meet the needs of the packaging sector. Embracing the digital era will enable business leaders to streamline their operations, exploit lean manufacturing and gear up for Industry 4.0.
If packaging manufacturers are to create the right eco system for innovation, they need full visibility of their business and the agility to respond to changing market demands. ERP breaks down barriers and provides the transparency necessary for strategic decision‐ making.
A SYSPRO system automates mundane tasks to increase efficiency and by integrating all operations ensures everyone is working in harmony. The ability to follow materials and products on every stage of their journey supports traceability, fulfils reporting requirements and improves customer service.
Knowledge is power. Having all business‐critical data at your fingertips ensures you have access to information wherever and whenever you choose.
It is far easier to future‐proof your business if you have the capability to plan ahead. SYSPRO’s forecasting module enables seasonal, cyclical and trend demand patterns to predict future business demand. Full business insight also allows manufacturers to identify inefficiencies, reduce materials waste and support more sustainable practices.
All this not only makes an operation more competitive but also provides much‐needed resilience. With Brexit comes the threat of rising costs of trade and raw materials. Those who can exploit the transformative powers of a centralised ERP system will be best placed to fine‐tune their business, drive efficiencies and explore new opportunities.
