As we’ve reached the mid-point of the year in July, our news round-up highlights the resilience in the manufacturing sector, with UK Manufacturing PMI consistently edging upwards in spite of continued geopolitical upheaval, and economic tariff uncertainties. Manufacturing and supply chain is getting on with the job, adjusting for change, and building impressive resilience to a new more chaotic trading reality. Technological changes are beginning to have profound effects on operations and workforce, research reports are highlighting these shifts.
Top Supply Chain Technology Trends for 2025 according to Gartner Research include:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) March 26, 2025
— Ambient Invisible Intelligence
— Augmented Connected Workforce
— Agentic AI
— Autonomous Data Collection
— Decision Intelligence
— Intelligent Simulation
Read ⇢ https://t.co/amYoHGeP17 pic.twitter.com/Mi3Y5XVPJd
The supply chain of the past isn't going to work in the future — 4 inventory & supply chain strategies in 2025
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 2, 2025
➊ Stratify inventory & SKUs
➋ Balance just-in-time & just-in-case
➌ Apply AI to demand planning & forecasting
➍ Do a zero-base exercise
⇢ https://t.co/E3RODsyljV
New Trump tariffs threaten supply chains with higher prices & weaker manufacturers, but the World should recover trade losses in 5 years without the US.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 4, 2025
Economist article ⇢ https://t.co/5vkzOUj0cx pic.twitter.com/TBqpQZnTML
UK PMI for March lowers to 44.9 as sentiment toughens.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 8, 2025
— Supply Chain Pressures as domestic and export orders decrease
— Input price inflation moderates suggesting easing cost pressures.
— Market Confidence is subdued in light of ongoing trade policy and economic uncertainties. pic.twitter.com/XDdXmZGeCt
Positive economic news: Manufacturing rebounds.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 14, 2025
Production output grew by 1.5% in February 2025, following a fall of 0.5% in January 2025.
All sectors saw a 0.5% GDP rise, confounding previous forecasts.
(UK ONS figures) pic.twitter.com/jGQVTcWbgw
The drive to net zero is a challenge for any company.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 16, 2025
A dose of inspiration from Manufacturing Digital highlighting 3 inspiring case studies where the lean manufacturing ethos of minimising waste makes a happy marriage with the net zero factory.
⇢ https://t.co/DxHu2PpJeG pic.twitter.com/jShmVM3oEJ
Industry 5.0 is reshaping manufacturing.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 23, 2025
With a future that lies in collaboration, not just automation.
Industry 5.0 combines AI with ethical, human-focused innovation.
For UK OEMs, it’s time to build with the right partners.
More at ⇢ https://t.co/Wd2ivxlvJG
"The Tariff Wars Just Upended Your Supply Chain. Here’s How to Adapt."
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) April 28, 2025
Takeaway:
Combat tariff uncertainties through strategic cost-benefit analyses of production/supply. Diversify market exposure, and identify regional trade networks.
HBR article ⇢ https://t.co/EG7gAVFmNZ pic.twitter.com/m9jknbXGEu
April's UK Manufacturing PMI ticked upward slightly suggesting stabilisation in market sentiment.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 2, 2025
— Ongoing market confidence issues
— Surging purchase prices and output inflation
— Supply chains remain strained#ukmfg #PMI pic.twitter.com/ka7biy1GXf
While exports declined at the fastest rate in 5 yrs due to new US tariffs, it's good perspective to remember UK firms are set to invest $650 billion over 3 yrs to bring manufacturing closer to home, aiming to enhance supply chain resilience.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 7, 2025
⇢ https://t.co/Ys3cxM9vtm
A 40% drop in containerised traffic in the US. Happening right now.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 9, 2025
Supply chain is headline news. ⁰
"It exceeds the worse scenario in the Covid crisis", according to the CEO, Port of Long Beach.⁰
The global supply chain is changing dramatically.
⇢ https://t.co/enuqwgtDkr
Production (manufacturing) GDP up 1.1% in Q1, 2025 for UK economy (0.7% overall).
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 16, 2025
Bounce in activity has UK lead major economies in growth.
Encouraging figures, although tariff headwinds for Q2 incoming.#b2b #ukmfg pic.twitter.com/F3wPe9gV8n
Inventory Chaos?
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 19, 2025
82% of organisations need significant supply chain changes.
Discover if VMI, 3PL, or a hybrid approach is the solution your company needs
⇢ https://t.co/S3jeShJxQQ pic.twitter.com/up4FgBFdia
Priorities for strengthening global economic resilience:
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 21, 2025
— Strengthening regional and international policy coordination
— Enhancing multilateral cooperation
— Building on existing trade and economic links
UNCTAD Trade and development foresights 2025 ⇢ https://t.co/02isedjdFK pic.twitter.com/YE2pmtNtce
Stock-outs. Over-stock. Delivery delays?
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 23, 2025
VMI, 3PL or hybrid model? What fits your operation best?
Stop the chaos and start controlling costs ⇢ https://t.co/Ko9nEtldhB pic.twitter.com/Yk3ldAvtC9
A cybersecurity reminder: manufacturing is the third most targeted sector (behind health & financial services).
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 26, 2025
Prompted by … a week that has seen major UK supermarkets hit hard by cyber attacks and ransomware (https://t.co/PKxhnVsTZm ).
With the UK's manufacturing sector operating at 73.9% capacity, and a new trade deal with 10% US tariff (against an EU tariff of 20-50%) opportunities exist for the UK to operate as a bridge, and for EU firms to shore more production in the UK.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 28, 2025
⇢ https://t.co/fVsCXvF9yV
Trump tariffs as cash flow killer, and the wine importer challenging the US President's erratic trade strategy.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) May 30, 2025
⇢ https://t.co/XrddEBIqgI
A defence-driven manufacturing renaissance?
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 2, 2025
Labour's bet on "military Keynesianism" to revive British manufacturing is already seeing a £1.5B investment in six new munitions factories aiming to revitalise sectors left behind by post-Cold War decline.
⇢ https://t.co/kODqfrxTzj
May's UK Manufacturing PMI up, to 46.4. Outlook remains cautious.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 4, 2025
— Longest lead times of the year; highlights supply fragility
— Port disruption & tariff volatility demand smarter sourcing
— Focus shifts from raw materials to wage and regulation-driven pressure#pmi #ukmfg pic.twitter.com/8mH1LIty6I
What’s holding manufacturers back in 2025?
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 9, 2025
According to State of Smart Manufacturing 2025 report (Rockwell/Sapio Research):
➊ Inflation
➋ Cyber threats
➌ Supply chain disruption ← top issue for 25%
➍ Labour & tech
Resilience = supply visibility ⇢ https://t.co/IzY5HTL3eW pic.twitter.com/Zk3VhfywzN
What’s Driving 2025 Supply Chain Change?
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 11, 2025
Top 4 insights for this area in OMDIA's Manufacturing Technology 2025 report, see graphic.
⇢ Logistics must now align with infrastructure, not just inventory. pic.twitter.com/bV3fwsJVMC
New article on rising trade barriers and tariff chaos (US-focussed, but still helpful background on this issue) ⇢ https://t.co/A3xm5yHOJE
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 13, 2025
Regional suppliers can shorten your exposure window and keep costs stable. Acorn leverage an extensive supplier network to help you.
Short-term output’s up – but order books are thinning.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 16, 2025
Smart manufacturers are responding by streamlining suppliers and consolidating logistics … speak to us about our integrated OEM logistics solutions.
Source: Manufacturing Outlook 2025 Q2 report (Make UK/BDO) pic.twitter.com/SNs23oBrFS
Impressive increase in production output and orders despite volatile geopolitics, international trade and rising tax burden.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 18, 2025
Q3 is set to continue the positive uptick. (Manufacturing Outlook 2025 Q2, Make UK/BDO) #ukmfg #b2b #scm pic.twitter.com/MY1IJGJ8RO
Celebrating 2+ years of climate action with Ecologi.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 20, 2025
Alongside our direct sustainability and recycling activities, we also reduce emissions and help to fund projects to restore our planet through @Ecologi_hq – inc. peatland restoration in Indonesia:https://t.co/p9zw7sUVVn pic.twitter.com/JC3zohnpbo
Change fatigue is real: the average employee faces 10x more initiatives than in 2016. All the while, tech and geopolitical shifts continue to occur more frequently.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 25, 2025
This new HBR Article explores how to position your employees for organisational agility ⇢ https://t.co/Tk8hmGjNX0 pic.twitter.com/JzU4oyEltN
UK Gov's long-term Industrial Strategy now includes £600m pledged for logistics & manufacturing hubs, plus a new national supply chain centre to coordinate investment and resilience.
— Acorn IC (@Acorn_IC) June 27, 2025
Smarter infrastructure aligns with smarter delivery partners.
More ⇢ https://t.co/QeE5Mcba7M pic.twitter.com/UgSrMvWXiG
