< Previous30 Business Link www.blmforum.net SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT S upply chains have become a core part of competitive advantage for businesses across Yorkshire and Lincolnshire. Once treated as a supporting function, the ability to deliver goods on time, in full, and at a predictable cost is now a central factor in how companies win and retain contracts. Retailers and manufacturers alike expect to see proof of traceability, flexibility in delivery schedules, and resilience against disruption. Those expectations are reshaping how haulage operators, warehouse managers and distribution specialists work, and how they invest. Technology is the common thread behind these changes. From the first point of production to the moment a product reaches the shelf, digital systems are being used to monitor where goods are and in what condition. GPS-linked telematics now come as standard in Technology transforms how goods move Data-driven planning, modern equipment and flexible distribution models are reshaping supply chains to keep costs down while meeting rising expectations on timing and quality. 32 Á most fleets, feeding real-time data back to operations teams. That data enables planners to reroute trucks when traffic builds, give retailers precise delivery windows, and flag temperature fluctuations for sensitive loads. For warehouse operations, cloud-based platforms are replacing manual stock control. They provide instant visibility of inventory levels and automate reordering and fulfilment, which is particularly important as retailers demand shorter lead times. This transparency has moved from a competitive bonus to a basic expectation. The most advanced distribution firms now use blockchain- style systems to create tamper-proof records of a product’s journey. For sectors like food and drink, pharmaceuticals, and high-value manufacturing, this is proving decisive. www.blmforum.net Business Link 31 SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT32 Business Link www.blmforum.net SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT Retailers can review a product’s entire history, which helps them with their own compliance requirements. It also means that when something goes wrong, the root cause can be identified in hours, rather than days. Traceability is only one part of the modern logistics equation. Flexibility has also risen up the agenda. Distribution used to rely on fixed schedules and long booking cycles. Those models are difficult to maintain in a period of fluctuating consumer demand and short product lifecycles. Logistics firms have responded with systems that allow much more agile planning. Digital scheduling platforms can adjust capacity daily, while predictive analytics forecast likely peaks and troughs based on past patterns. The result is a supply chain that can cope with last-minute changes without adding significant cost. Warehouses themselves are changing. Automation is no longer limited to the largest depots. Forklifts and pallet trucks have evolved, with electric and hybrid models dominating new purchases. These machines are quieter, more energy-efficient, and equipped with collision-avoidance sensors that have reduced accidents. Lithium-ion batteries have replaced traditional lead-acid versions, delivering faster charging cycles and less downtime. Where once a single machine type had to do everything, many operators are now deploying a mix of specialist models designed for narrow aisles, heavy-duty loads or www.blmforum.net Business Link 33 SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT outdoor use, reducing bottlenecks in busy depots. The workforce inside these warehouses is also supported by technology. Wearable devices guide pickers to the correct location, confirm the item to be taken, and track productivity without the need for constant supervision. These innovations are not just about speed. They are also about accuracy, which in turn protects margins and ensures that retailers and their customers get exactly what they ordered. Mistakes at the warehouse stage can be costly, both in terms of returns and reputation. Transport efficiency remains a critical factor in profitability. Rising fuel costs and driver shortages have forced the sector to think more carefully about how fleets are managed. Investment in low- emission vehicles has accelerated, not only because of environmental regulations but because alternative fuels are beginning to make commercial sense in certain types of operation. Electric vans are now common for last- mile delivery in urban areas, while compressed natural gas and biofuels are being trialled for long-haul routes. These shifts, combined with data-led route optimisation, are reducing the overall cost per mile at a time when margins are tight. Collaboration between businesses has also strengthened. Shared distribution centres and pooled transport resources allow companies to reach customers without the burden of maintaining large fixed assets. This approach makes particular sense when delivery points overlap but volumes fluctuate. Technology has enabled these partnerships to be managed with a level of precision that was previously impractical, with live dashboards showing how costs and capacity are being shared. All of these developments rest on a simple commercial reality. Retailers and manufacturers are no longer willing to tolerate uncertainty in their supply chains. Late deliveries, damaged products or incomplete orders now carry consequences that go beyond a single transaction. They can affect long- term relationships and brand reputation. That is why so many logistics operators are treating investment in systems and skills as a non-negotiable requirement, rather than an optional extra. For companies providing haulage, warehousing and distribution services, the ability to guarantee that goods arrive in the right place, at the right time and at the right price depends on a balance of technology, equipment and expertise. It also depends on constant evaluation. Innovations that deliver an advantage today are quickly matched by competitors, making it important to identify what will matter next.34 Business Link www.blmforum.net CORPORATE HOSPITALITY A s technology evolves, so too do business events. From networking to expos, corporate hospitality is being transformed with digital tools that improve every aspect of events, from planning to attendee engagement and assessing ROI. Platforms facilitating hybrid experiences have become well-established post- pandemic, with event managers and attendees alike becoming increasingly tech-savvy out of necessity. While virtual meetings have become a new standard, with in-person events back and more valuable than ever, these remote conferencing tools are still being taken advantage of to offer an innovative and flexible hybrid setup. Combining onsite events with digital engagement, businesses can tap into a broader, global audience, perhaps offering livestreams and on-demand content or virtual networking rooms. This is particularly useful for product launches, where the greatest visibility and reach is desired, and for companies who can’t spare their entire team to travel to an event but still want to provide them with the benefit of its content. With advanced tech such as Augmented Reality (AR), Virtual Reality (VR), and Extended Reality (XR), remote attendees can be presented with immersive and interactive experiences, to make them feel fully part of the event. These technologies, alongside the likes of interactive displays and multi-sensory experiences, are also being brought to the venues themselves, allowing delegates to connect with content and products in new, hands-on ways. Mobile apps are becoming more popular too, providing attendees with access to event information, networking opportunities, and interactive features, and helping organisers manage schedules, facilitate connections, and share key information. Taking events to the next level, however — as it touches every other aspect of business — is AI. At the back end, AI is being used to streamline event planning and management, for ideation to shorten design time, to create budgets and staff rotas, to predict catering quantities, anticipate attendee flow and optimise layouts. ChatBots are being used to support pre-event communications, while AI algorithms identifying patterns among potential guests are empowering planners to create targeted marketing campaigns. Concurrently, at events, AI- powered platforms are improving the audience experience and predicting their behaviour. AI is allowing event organisers to personalise attendee experiences, using data to tailor events to individual preferences. This is enabling customised agendas and networking opportunities and personalised content. Guests at an industry show for example can be presented with everything from the content and sessions that will be most relevant to them, to recommendations on who to meet at the event, based on their interests. AI is further making events more accessible, able to interpret speakers, transcribe and project text onto screens, which is particularly valuable to those in the audience who have hearing impairments, while it can also facilitate translation for international delegates. Moreover, AI-powered crowd monitoring can pinpoint potential blockage areas to ensure event spaces remain easily navigable for wheelchair users and those with mobility challenges. Data and analytics are additionally Smart hospitality A wave of technology is remoulding events; bolstering decision making, attendee engagement and satisfaction. becoming central to events, helping tackle the challenge of measuring ROI, assisting organisers in making informed decisions about event planning, content, and marketing, and taking out the guesswork when refining an event’s offer. Organisers setting clear goals aligned with business objectives are able to track quantitative data such as revenue and attendance and qualitative data like attendee satisfaction. Technology is monitoring engagement levels, attendance patterns, and analysing sentiment, allowing data-driven decision making when planning improvements for the future. Live polling and feedback tools are providing instant insights, and AI-www.blmforum.net Business Link 35 CORPORATE HOSPITALITY powered systems and sensors can assess delegate behaviour, movement, and preferences. With this data in hand, real time adjustments can be made to maximise satisfaction. With budgets tightening and expectations rising, proving the value of events is more important than ever. Increased integration of technology is also enabling gamification, to boost participation, audience engagement and collaboration. Apps are asking audiences to answer polls and questions during panel sessions, maintaining their focus, and interactive quizzes are reinforcing learning points and helping an event’s message be truly absorbed and understood. With more technology than ever being embedded into events, and becoming core to their success, a number of considerations should be taken into account. Cost is a concern; though investing in a shiny new piece of tech or an app might be exciting and be a boon for engagement, long term expenses for support and updates must be assessed. How accessible, scalable and flexible tech is ought to be considered too, to see whether it can adapt as an event grows, integrate with existing systems like registration software, whether it is user friendly for all guests, is compatible across different devices, and won’t require too much training for event staff. Embracing tech also comes with potential issues for guests’ security and privacy, especially as cyber threats rise and privacy regulations become more stringent. Protecting against breaches and respecting privacy rights is essential, while explicit consent should always be obtained for data usage. With a range of technology to choose from, by employing event tools strategically, starting small and scaling up, attendee experience can be enhanced and planning streamlined. 36 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK Chinese cars: Which brands are best? Jaecoo (Chery) www.blmforum.net Business Link 37 AUTOLINK Mock the names all you like - they’re here, and they’re serious. Chinese manufacturers have gone from copycat curiosities to global players in record time. Here is your 2025 guide to who’s who, what they’re selling, and which ones are worth your time (and possibly your driveway). attention now - especially after linking up with Stellantis to distribute cars in Europe. The C10 SUV offers space and range without pushing the price into the stratosphere. The marque’s models aren’t flashy, but they fill a very real need: affordable EVs for real people – especially those who need a car for business. Given how few manufacturers seem interested in that anymore, LeapMotor could carve out a niche - assuming it can build dealer support quickly. Chinese car brands are no longer just “the cheap option.” They are making great products for private and business markets and doing it faster, cheaper, and, in some cases, better than the established players. There is genuine variety here - and not just variety, but also healthy competition. Jaecoo (Chery) Jaecoo is Chery’s attempt at rugged SUVs with urban polish. Its first model, the Jaecoo 7, looks the part - boxy, confident, and dripping with faux-off-road charm. It is aimed at mid-market buyers who want SUV practicality with a bit of style, and early reviews suggest it hits the mark on price and specs. It is a relatively new brand even in China, so UK buyers might need convincing, but the pitch is clear: decent value, solid equipment, and a look that stands out without being weird. Whether it can back it up with long-term support remains to be seen. LeapMotor LeapMotor might sound like a dodgy mobile app, but it’s getting serious 38 Á LeapMotor38 Business Link www.blmforum.net AUTOLINK BYD (Build Your Dreams) BYD is the best-known name on this list and with good reason. It is one of the most prominent EV makers in the world, and its cars are now arriving big-style in the UK. The premium-focused BYD Seal model, for example, offers great value, comfort, excellent safety ratings, and some of the best battery tech in the business. The marque is not trying to wow you with gimmicks – it’s just offering solid electric cars at the right price. Build quality has been a pleasant surprise, and dealership support is growing. While the brand is still finding its feet, BYD is fast becoming a go-to recommendation for people who want a status-symbol EV that works without the drama. XPeng XPeng is one of China’s most tech-savvy car brands and has big plans for the UK. It has announced a network of 20 dealerships by the end of 2025, meaning it’s not just dipping a toe - it’s cannonballing into the pool. XPeng models, such as the G6, come equipped with high-tech driving features, wraparound screens, and an interior vibe that feels more like a gadget launch than a car showroom. XPeng stands out for its software- forward approach. Over-the-air updates, voice control, and advanced driver- assistance features make its cars feel very 2030 - even if the name still sounds like a dodgy antivirus program. Build quality has improved massively, and pricing undercuts similar-specced rivals from the West. Omoda (Chery) Omoda is Chery’s design-led marque aimed squarely at the business-oriented crossover crowd. The Omoda 9 is a surprisingly decent, luxury-focused machine - sharp lines, eye-catching lighting, and an interior that wouldn’t look out of place in something twice the price. It has the buzzwords: big screen, connectivity, ADAS, the lot. While it’s very much early days for Omoda in the UK, the brand clearly understands what drivers want - style, gadgets, and a price that doesn’t involve a second mortgage. Chery’s experience in global markets gives Omoda a head start, and early drives by us suggest the product is better than people expected. BYD (Build Your Dreams)www.blmforum.net Business Link 39 AUTOLINK Keeping Your Business Moving Hire, Service & Repairs Commercial Trailer Specialists in Stallingborough, Grimsby XPeng Omoda (Chery) Next >