Smarter Supply Chains: Digital Innovation for Cost,
Efficiency & Carbon
Monday 20 April | 12.30 pm (lunch and registration) 1 pm
start to 4 pm Northumbria University, Sandyford Building Room 405
About the Event
Supply chain disruption, rising operational costs, and
growing pressure to reduce carbon emissions are challenges felt across every
sector — from manufacturing and retail to healthcare, logistics, construction,
and the public sector.
Yet for many organisations, the tools to address these
pressures can feel complex, costly, or out of reach.
This exclusive event, hosted by Northumbria University's
Centre for Digital Supply Chain Excellence (CDSCE), brings together supply
chain professionals, operations managers, procurement specialists, and business
leaders from across the public and private sectors to explore how digital
innovation is delivering measurable, real-world results for organisations
across the North of England and beyond.
Whether you are taking your first steps in digital
transformation or looking to accelerate progress already underway, this event
offers practical insight, real-world evidence, and direct access to world-class
supply chain research expertise.
What's On
Digital Twin Technology: A Live Showcase
The CDSCE — one of only four UK centres to receive R&D
funding from the Digital Catapult — will open its state-of-the-art testbed to
demonstrate how digital twin technology is transforming supply chain
performance across sectors. See first-hand how the solution addresses three
critical challenges:
- Inventory optimisation — reducing overstock,
shortages, and procurement waste
- Supply and demand
forecasting — improving accuracy and responsiveness across supply networks
- Carbon footprint
measurement — automatically calculating Scope 1, 2, and 3 emissions to support net
zero reporting and compliance
Industry Case Study: Real Results, Tangible Savings
Hear findings from a live industry collaboration in which a
local SME partnered with the CDSCE to tackle inconsistent, duplicated, and
mislabelled spare parts data. Using AI-driven tools applied to automotive spare
parts inventory management, the project identified annual savings of £132,000
in procurement ordering — demonstrating the value digital innovation can
deliver regardless of sector or organisation size.
Data Sharing, Trust & Legal Considerations
Smarter supply chains depend on data collaboration — but
knowing how to share data safely and confidently remains one of the biggest
barriers for organisations of all kinds. Legal experts from Womble Bond
Dickinson, who collaborated with the CDSCE on the development of the testbed,
will provide practical guidance on data sharing frameworks, trust, and
security, helping your organisation work across its supply network with
confidence.
Networking
Connect with supply chain professionals, procurement and
operations specialists, academic researchers, and technology innovators from a
wide range of sectors — all focused on building more resilient, efficient, and
sustainable supply chains.
Who Should Attend?
This event is relevant to anyone with responsibility for
supply chain, procurement, operations, or sustainability across any sector,
including:
- Manufacturing and
engineering
- Retail and wholesale
distribution
- Healthcare and life
sciences
- Logistics and transport
- Construction and
infrastructure
- Local government and
public sector organisations
- Energy and utilities
You do not need to be a technology expert. If supply chain
performance, cost efficiency, or carbon reduction matters to your organisation,
this event is for you.
Why Attend?
- Discover how digital
twin technology can be applied to your organisation's specific challenges
- Access evidence-based
insight from one of the North of England's leading supply chain research
centres
- Gain practical guidance
on data sharing, trust, and legal considerations
- Connect with peers,
academics, and innovators across a wide range of industries and sectors
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