Rattling the supply chains: creating a more sustainable way to do business

SUSTAINABLE supply chain management is a:- "strategic imperative" with "far reaching implications for economic, environmental and social wellbeing," a University of Manchester academic has warned.

Writing in On Infrastructure, a new publication from Policy@Manchester, Dr Arijit De; who has been cited in numerous international journals; highlights the startling statistic that global supply chains now account for approximately 80% of global greenhouse gas emissions. And he cautions that ever-increasing interdependencies among and between organisations have made these networks susceptible to both human-made and natural disruptions.

Dr Arijit De; Associate Professor in Management Science, at the Alliance Manchester Business School, The University of Manchester explaines:- "Global disruption events such as the Japanese tsunami in 2011, Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines in 2013 and earthquakes in Chile in 2015 have significantly compromised the performance of goods supply chains in recent decades. On the national scale, disruptive events can also impact supply chains and businesses; such as KFC's logistics blunder and road accidents at the vicinity of a distribution depot in 2018, leading to two-thirds of their outlets in the UK having to close due to a chicken shortage By integrating sustainability metrics into decision-making processes, organisations can meet the dual challenges of mitigating fuel costs and reducing carbon emissions while enhancing operational resilience during disruptions."

In his piece, Dr Arijit De; explains that models developed using AI can be deployed to make better decision regarding resource allocation and supply chain resilience.

Dr Arijit De said:- "For example, grocery and general merchandise retailers in the UK have used AI-driven algorithms to optimise supply chains by dynamically adjusting delivery routes based on real time data, predicting the best transportation methods, and accurately forecasting demand to manage inventory. This approach enhances efficiency, reduces costs and mitigates risks, ensuring faster delivery times and a stronger, more flexible supply chain. It is important that the Department for Business and Trade incorporates these models and approaches into UK supply chain strategy."

Dr De unveils University of Manchester research findings which demonstrate the importance of allocating resources and capital to strengthen and protect the supply chain infrastructure, known as:- "fortification investment." He adds:- "This helps in making the supply-chain facilities more resilient to disruptions, optimising product flow from distribution centres and enhancing better connectivity during disruptive scenarios by adopting goods sharing strategies between facilities."

He also outlines a series policy recommendations emanating from this research which, Dr De argues, are:- "imperative for advancing sustainability in supply chains."

These include a call for policymakers and National Governments to:- "prioritise the integration of sustainability criteria into procurement practices and supply chain regulations by incentivising sustainable behaviours among stakeholders and fostering collaboration across industry sectors, such as:- freight, food and manufacturing. This could be done in a range of ways, he explains, including the offer of tax credits, subsidies for green technologies, and grants and low-interest loans for sustainability projects."

The University of Manchester researchers also advocate investment in technology and infrastructure as an:- "essential" means of enabling the transition towards sustainable supply chains. Dr De writes:- "Embracing digitalisation, automation, artificial intelligence and renewable energy sources, such as employing electric vehicles, can facilitate resource optimisation and emissions reductions. A step forward for infrastructure investment would be for Government to invest in and expand electric vehicle infrastructure / charging points."

And he recommends that regulatory frameworks such as the UK's Climate Change Act should adopt:- "a comprehensive approach that addresses not only environmental concerns, but also the social and economic dimensions of sustainability. This necessitates the alignment of policies with international sustainability goals such as the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals."

HMV Back Local Musician's Debut Album

DISABLED Liverpool musician Joshua Henderson has secured a deal with HMV Liverpool to stock his debut album for Disability History Month.

Joshua Henderson, who is a learning-disabled artist, officially launched his debut album:- 'Songs of Liverpool for Friends' with a special performance at the Bluecoat in June of this year to coincide with this year's Learning Disability Awareness Week.

Upon release of the album Josh was hoping to reach a target of 500 streams of his album online but has smashed this target receiving over 2,500 streams of his songs in less than 6 months. Now, to kick off Disability History Month, Josh is again receiving recognition for his work by having music giants HMV agree to stock CDs of his album at a local store.

The album of original songs was recorded at the City's The Cabin studio with the support of innovative Liverpool disability arts organisation DaDa and with the assistance of a grant from the Youth Music, using public funding from the National Lottery through Arts Council England. The Youth Music Next Gen Funds aim to help young creatives across the UK realise their dreams.

Josh 1st became involved with DaDa through the DaDa Young Ensemble project more than a decade ago, which works with young disabled musicians to compose and perform original music. The organisation has continued to work with Josh to nurture his talent, and source the funding to produce his debut album.

'Songs of Liverpool for Friends' is a love letter from Josh to the City he grew up in and features artwork created by Josh with support from Blue Room of his favourite Liverpool Landmarks.

The former Redbridge High School and Notre Dame Catholic College student, from Walton Village, started playing the guitar at the age of nine, inspired by his musical dad. All the songs on the album have been written and arranged by Josh who performs:- vocals, electric guitar and piano.

The singer-songwriter is joined on the album by Mollie Parkinson on bass and Tyler Sherwood on drums who have also come through the DaDa Young Ensemble Project, with additional vocals, piano and keyboards from Producer Jon Hering, with fellow Producer David Kelly providing vocals and rhythm guitar. The track Capital of Culture 08 features a special performance by the Royal Liverpool Philharmonic Orchestra's Georgina Aasgaard.

Josh speaking passionately about his inspiration behind his album explained:- "Liverpool is my home City. Liverpool is my favourite place. It's where I do my art and I like the buildings, they make me calm. I like to go down on a sunny day and get on the ferry; I love feeling the breeze and looking over at the City."

Liz Henderson, Josh's mum told us the whole family are delighted with Josh's album success saying:- "Josh is absolutely thrilled about his CD going in HMV and looking forward to meeting people. I am incredibly happy and pleased for him, he is very excited about it all."

Executive Producer at DaDa Rachel Rogers said:- "It has been a privilege for the DaDa team to work with Joshua Henderson and see his development across the last decade. We are thrilled for Josh that HMV are now stocking his CD's off the back of his successful launch. Josh is an incredibly talented and credible artist, and his success shows just how powerful funding grassroots disabled music projects can be in beginning to nurture artists to grow and develop. DaDa celebrates 40 years of supporting disabled artists this year, promoting:- 'Equity and Excellence in the Cultural landscape.' We work to provide artists with opportunities to try, develop and become successful in their own right. Josh is a determined and hard working young man, and this album really showcases his passion and ability to write and produce quality music. Through our ensemble project and the investment from Youth Music, Josh has been able to develop and become the artist he is today."

A spokesperson from HMV Liverpool said:- "Our Live and Local programme is in place for exactly this type of thing:- To help showcase un-signed and up and coming artists and bands from each store's local area and provide them with a platform to have their music heard by a wider audience. Josh's passion and love for music and Liverpool shine through on his album, so it is with pleasure that we are stocking copies in-store for our customers to purchase. We have come to know Josh through his frequent visits to our store and we are delighted to be able to provide this opportunity to him and hope it may inspire other disabled musicians to contact us (or their local HMV store) to do something similar."

Josh would love to have his song:- 'Christmas Wishes' all about the lights in Liverpool over the festive season bringing others the joy that he has felt through seeing the lights himself.

'Songs of Liverpool for Friends' by Joshua Henderson is now available in HMV Liverpool to pick up with exclusive CD copies for just:- �9.99.

News reports located on this page = 2.

Rattling the supply chains: creating a more sustainable way to do business

HMV Back Local Musician's Debut Album