AMID plummeting oil prices and demand, supply chain bottlenecks, spending slowdowns and concern over the credit markets, manufacturing entities are especially vulnerable to the current economic turmoil.
Not only is the bulk of their workforce employed in on-site jobs that cannot be done remotely, but they face reduced demand for industrial products.
That’s according to Gerhard Hartman, Vice President, Medium Business, Sage Africa & Middle East, who will be one of the panelists at an upcoming conference at the month-long 7th annual Manufacturing Indaba currently underway as a virtual event.
Hartman directs and oversees the expansion of Sage’s accounting and finance, human resources, and payroll business across Africa and the Middle East. As a key technology partner to many leading manufacturers within the region, he will be sharing the insights Sage has witnessed in the industry’s response to 2020.
“African manufacturers are addressing the new operational challenges triggered by the pandemic, while also looking beyond COVID-19 to consider how they can compete more effectively on the global stage in years to come,” he said.
“The disruption we have witnessed has accelerated key technology trends. What has also been significant to see is how leaders have supported their workforce to enable agility, and create business resilience – ultimately streamlining production, enhancing supply chain management and boosting quality.”
This year’s Manufacturing Indaba started on 18 November and will run until 18 December 2020. It comprises an exhibition and a conference. The two-day conference, also hosted virtually on 9 and 10 December, will be attended by industrialists, technological experts, executives and government officials from across Africa.
Sage is sponsoring a panel discussion which will focus on how to have a sustainable and profitable manufacturing business in the era of COVID-19. This session will be moderated by Dr Rachel Chikwamba, Group Executive Council for Scientific and Industrial Research (CSIR) and will incorporate insights about the journey to manufacturing excellence.
To register for the free online conference visit https://manufacturingindaba.co.za/register-conference-jhb/
