Challenges and Opportunities:  What’s Next for Manufacturers and Communities?

by UT CIS Executive Director, Paul H. Jennings

The UT Center for Industrial Services (UT CIS) leadership team met last week to discuss challenges and opportunities that our customers will face as we transition to a post-COVID world.  The meeting was the first of several over the next six months that will ultimately prioritize UT CIS strategic initiatives for the upcoming fiscal year, beginning July 1.

One theme emerging from the discussion was the related issues of supply chain risks, reshoring, and resiliency.  Although these issues were already an important topic before COVID, the pandemic has certainly given them a new sense of urgency.  A November 2020 National Association of Manufacturers article reports that more than half of companies responding to a recent survey “say they are already beginning or considering redesigns of their entire supply chain processes.”  As evidenced by this and other reports, these issues involve a range of strategic decisions that manufacturers are making to manage supply chain exposure and risk.  In addition to affecting individual companies and supply chains, these decisions will also significantly impact communities.  A July 2020 Brookings Institution report, for example reports on economic development initiatives that communities can implement to facilitate reshoring, strengthen supply chains, and generate jobs.

Our leadership team discussion touched on several areas where UT CIS has been working with partners to help manufacturers and communities navigate these critical issues. These include:  Industry 4.0 and the use of new technologies like artificial intelligence and analytics; community resiliency planning to help companies quickly recover from natural disasters, pandemics and other supply chain disruptions; and workplace development initiatives to help companies secure and develop a workforce that’s ready for an Industry 4.0 world with redesigned supply chains.

We know that addressing these and other issues will require extensive collaboration with our customers and partners. Please consider this an invitation to join our conversation as we more fully develop our focus and strengthen efforts to help manufacturers and communities.  I would enjoy hearing from you.  Please email me at paul.jennings@tennessee.edu with your thoughts and comments.  Working together, we can achieve our vision of “Tennessee as a global leader with thriving business and industry, efficient and effective government, and vibrant communities.”