Digital supply chains ensure that manufacturing in Europe remains internationally competitive. More and more companies are moving their production and purchasing of parts back to Europe to become more strategically independent. From 17 to 21 April at the Hannover Messe, Dutch entrepreneurs will show how they collaborate in digital supply chains.
Until a few years ago, the industry only looked at supply chains from a cost perspective. Many companies moved their production to China or other Asian countries for cost reasons or sourced parts from there. “Nowadays companies look beyond the costs,” says Marc Hendrikse, chairman of Holland High Tech. Availability of capacity is particularly important, as global supply chains have proven to be vulnerable. Sustainability is also becoming increasingly important.”
Strategic independance
To become more strategically independent from Asian or American suppliers, companies are moving their production and purchasing back to Europe. Digitizing supply chains in Europe makes them more economical and competitive. “If my supplier in a digital supply chain shares his data with me, I can plan my production much better,” says Peter van Harten, ambassador of the Dutch Smart Industry programme.
In digital supply chains, the flow of goods, information and money between suppliers, manufacturers, distributors and customers is controlled and monitored using digital technologies and platforms. Companies are using technologies such as Internet of Things (IoT), blockchain, artificial intelligence and digital twins to optimize supply chain processes.
Dutch companies at Hannover Messe 2023
Visit Dutch companies from 17 to 21 April 2023 at the Holland High Tech Pavilion in Hall 8 to exchange ideas about the opportunities of digitizing supply chains. The Netherlands is already a reliable trading partner for Germany and is now becoming a good and reliable innovation partner.
