South Africa's economy shows signs of recovery in 2026, driven by manufacturing rebound, rising commodity prices, and controlled inflation. Enhanced cooperation within the 'Global South' diversifies risks, but structural challenges persist, including government debt and state-owned enterprise reform. Sustained recovery hinges on deepening reforms, transforming positive momentum into durable development.
This paper explores the risks associated with using spreadsheets in supply chain management, highlighting issues such as high error rates, single points of failure, and limited scalability. While acknowledging their popularity due to ease of use and low cost, the article argues that in the era of big data, companies should assess their needs and transition away from Excel. Embracing digital supply chain management platforms is crucial for improving efficiency, reducing risks, and maintaining a competitive edge in the market. This shift is essential for organizations seeking to optimize their supply chain operations and leverage data-driven insights.
Automation is an inevitable trend in supply chain development, but balancing high capital investment with labor costs is a key challenge for companies. This paper analyzes the current application of automation in supply chains and explores how companies can balance capital investment and labor costs when embracing automation. It proposes suggestions such as gradual implementation, selecting appropriate technologies, and strengthening employee training to achieve the common development of enterprises and employees. This approach helps maximize the benefits of automation while mitigating potential negative impacts on the workforce.
TOMRA Food has initiated a cross-industry working group to accelerate the development of digital standards in the food industry, aiming to address the global food crisis projected for 2050. Digital technologies, through precision agriculture, optimized packing plant operations, and coordinated distribution and retail, can significantly improve food supply chain efficiency and reduce waste. Facing challenges such as data security and technical standards, the industry needs collaborative innovation to embrace a digitally driven food era and ensure future food security.
A study reveals that companies relying solely on ERP systems for supply chain visibility face significant inter-enterprise visibility gaps. Businesses should move beyond ERP limitations by embracing cloud technologies, IoT, and big data analytics. Strengthening collaboration with partners is crucial to building end-to-end supply chain visibility, enhancing agility, and boosting competitiveness. Overcoming ERP's inherent limitations is essential for achieving true supply chain transparency and responsiveness in today's dynamic market.
Years of express delivery price wars have burdened the industry. This article analyzes five reasons for the easing of these price wars: policy support, companies focusing on last-mile stability, rising consumer demand, the difficulty of clearing out tail-end enterprises, and e-commerce price increases. It emphasizes the importance of curbing price wars for companies, service stations, and delivery personnel, predicting that the express delivery industry will develop in a stable and healthy direction. This shift is crucial for long-term sustainability and improved service quality.
This article explores the future development of the air cargo industry amid global trade and digitalization challenges. It emphasizes the importance of collaboration between IATA and FIATA, analyzing issues related to safety, compliance, and equipment usage within the industry. The article showcases the hopes and demands of industry participants for the future.
In discussing community group buying, Deppon noted that this model does not replace traditional e-commerce but rather complements it. Community group buying has altered the supply chain structure of the logistics industry, presenting both opportunities and challenges, prompting companies like Deppon to explore new collaboration points. Additionally, Cainiao and JD are adjusting their strategies to focus on local life services and the group buying market.
In recent years, state-owned shipping enterprises have faced poor performance, and mergers and restructuring may not necessarily improve the situation. The industry's environment has shifted from a planned economy to a market economy, but these enterprises struggle to respond flexibly to market changes. Institutional constraints hinder their ability to quickly adjust strategies, making them ill-suited for market competition. State-owned enterprises should redefine their roles to ensure they serve national strategic material transport while exploring market-oriented operational methods to survive and thrive in intense competition.
The WCO has released Data Model 3.10.0, supporting various data exchanges and ensuring backward compatibility. It aims to facilitate the digitalization of cross-border trade, enhance efficiency, and reduce costs. This update provides a standardized framework for data communication between stakeholders involved in international trade, promoting seamless information sharing and streamlined processes. By adopting this model, businesses and governments can optimize their trade operations, leading to faster clearance times and reduced administrative burdens.
