Manufacturing has changed. The old ways of managing supply chains no longer work. Ongoing global tensions, shipping delays and rising energy costs have made just-in-time manufacturing much harder to rely on.
Many UK manufacturers are now holding up to a month’s worth of stock just to keep production moving. While this improves resilience, it also increases costs and puts pressure on profits.
In this whitepaper, Molly Cooper, Features Editor at The Manufacturer, explores findings from our June 2026 survey of more than 230 senior UK manufacturing leaders. Discover how manufacturers are adapting their sourcing, inventory and supply chain strategies to stay competitive.
Inside the whitepaper:
- The end of just-in-time: Why lead times have increased and how manufacturers are managing higher stock levels.
- Managing rising costs: Practical ways businesses are responding to shipping disruption and energy price volatility.
- Building resilience: How manufacturers are moving from reacting to problems to planning ahead.
Join the discussion
The research is just the beginning. To explore these challenges in more detail and hear from industry peers, join us at the Manufacturing Supply Chain & Inventory Forum.
This exclusive peer-to-peer event brings together senior supply chain, operations and procurement leaders from some of the UK’s largest manufacturing companies to share experiences, challenges and practical solutions.
Download the whitepaper and find out more today.
