Digitization Improved Profits and Resilience for Logistics Businesses

The UK’s transportation, manufacturing and logistics industries are accelerating digital technology adoption in the face of ongoing supply chain disruption, labour shortages and unsustainable increases in fuel costs. That’s according to new research carried out by Samsara with 1,500 operational leaders, including 200 in the UK, which reveals companies are focused on strengthening their operational resilience.

As fuel prices reach record highs, the new Samsara State of Connected Operations Report, reveals 27% of operations leaders in the UK have implemented technologies including artificial intelligence (AI) cameras, asset tracking, telematics and automation. This is expected to double to 58% by the end of this year and reach 90% by the end of 2023. The research reveals clear benefits to this technology investment too, with 95% of UK operations leaders who have digitally transformed their physical operations confirming this is improving their ability to weather disruptions, and 96% reporting increased net profits.

“When it comes to the physical operations that power our global economy, we are at a tipping point,” said Philip van der Wilt, VP & General Manager, Samsara, EMEA. “By accelerating digitisation, UK firms working in transport and logistics can connect their operations and access the real-time data they need to manage their business more effectively and efficiently.”

The Samsara report also reveals the key areas of prioritisation among UK operations leaders:
• 58% are increasing the monitoring of their powered assets such as lorries and vans to tackle issues such as engine idle time, fuel efficiency, and maintenance

• 50% are looking to accelerate their transition to electric vehicles (EVs) in the wake of rising fuel costs and the increasing availability of EVs and associated infrastructure

• 82% want to break down their organisational data to gain centralised visibility of all their operational data

“In the face of supply chain disruptions, labour shortages, and rising costs, operational agility is more important than ever. From planning routes more efficiently, improving fuel economy and introducing pre-emptive maintenance schedules, digitally transforming fleet-based operations can make a tangible difference to the bottom line,” van der Wilt added.