News roundup: reshoring, ESG, supply chains and smart cities
The incentives & benefits of reshoring in manufacturing
As we head into 2023, a few key trends are driving an increase in capital investment in U.S. manufacturing and distribution facilities. One is the rising demand for, and manufacturing of, electronics and electric vehicles (EVs) and their related technologies. Another is ongoing changes brought about by the pandemic, especially the reshoring of life sciences production in response to fears over supply line bottlenecks for personal protective equipment (PPE) and pharmaceuticals.
Words by Brian Gallagher, Vice President Corporate Development at Graycor.
The contribution of capital projects to ESG in manufacturing
With investor interest in environmental, social and governance (ESG) steadily growing, many manufacturing companies already align their operations and corporate structure with ESG. What they may not realise is that even capital projects are now falling under the same scrutiny as operations. This is especially true in light of the fact that the Securities and Exchange Commission is seeking to require some companies to report Scope 3 emissions as part of their climate risk disclosures. (The Environmental Protection Agency defines Scope 3 emissions as “the result of activities from assets not owned or controlled by the reporting organisation, but that the organisation indirectly impacts in its value chain.”) Consequently, it is time for manufacturers to begin accounting for upstream and downstream ESG efforts, including those of capital project designers, construction teams and engineers.
Written by Michelle Palys, Vice President of Performance Excellence and ESG & Brian Gallagher, Vice President Corporate Development of Graycor.
Smart cities require smart parking solutions for EV adoption
There are currently roughly 150 smart cities under way around the globe with highly ambitious environmental and livability goals. From full fibre connectivity to prioritising minimising carbon footprints, (more than 75% of global carbon emissions and energy consumptions are from cities) key decision makers must address smart city infrastructure with a realistic, community-based approach.
Proven successful IoT technologies are in demand, and a crucial piece to that interconnectivity puzzle is automated parking. Given that more than 50% of the world's population currently inhabit urban areas and that number is expected to rise to 66% by 2050, smart city governments, privately owned housing units, and businesses need to consider parking in their overall architectural design plans. Because vehicles themselves are becoming more interconnected and powered by alternative energies like electricity, smart cities don't and won't mean the end of private car ownership.
Automated parking is an innovative solution in a variety of ways. Real estate developers in urban areas must find contemporary and reliable solutions to everyday issues, like parking vehicles. Property owners, developers, and architects can obtain a sensible and cost effective solution with an advanced automated parking system (APS).
Here are some ways that automated parking will impact the future smart city…
