New Delhi, Apr 11 (KNN)  Leading firms have now recognised that the industrial sustainability of their product supply chains, from the availability of source materials to the consumption habits of end-users, is going to influence strategic considerations on the future design of products, manufacturing processes and location of international manufacturing operations.
 
This was stated by Head of University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM) Jagjit Singh Srai, during the launch of a programme aimed at developing sustainable global supply networks here on April-9.
 
The workshop brought together a joint research team from University of Cambridge’s Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), Indian Institute of Technology Ropar and Indian Institute of Management, Lucknow.
 
“The kick-off workshop highlighted the need for new methods to explore how resource efficiency – energy, raw materials and water, and reducing waste – will influence the reconfiguration of product supply chains in different industries and national contexts,” Srai said.
 
The workshop on the Sustainable Supply Chains programme was funded by the UK’s Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) and India’s Department of Science and Technology (DST), a press release from the British High Commission said.
 
More than 30 delegates including senior policymakers, industrialists and academics discussed aims and approaches, sharing of ideas with key institutional practitioners and sought inputs on the challenges they face. This included industry perspectives of sustainability challenges in four key sectors – aerospace, automotive, food and pharmaceuticals.
 
Speaking at the event, Head, IfM, Mike Gregory said, “Launching this new EPSRC-DST project marks the beginning of what I am sure will be a long and productive partnership between the UK and India in this vital area for modern industry. Linking the efficiency of supply chains with the need for long term sustainability will provide essential capabilities for both new and established companies.”
 
Following the workshop, a group of government, agency and industrial representatives from India and the UK met for the UK-India Manufacturing Policy Roundtable, organised by IfM and the UK Science and Innovation Network.
 
The Institute for Manufacturing (IfM), part of the University of Cambridge, brings together expertise in management, technology and policy to address the full spectrum of issues which can help industry and governments create sustainable economic growth.   (KNN/ES)