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eCommerce Solutions in Process Manufacturing

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2020 was an unprecedented year of change for the entire world, and the manufacturing industry was no exception. 80% of manufacturers said that they expected COVID-19 to have a negative impact on their business according to a NAM survey. It quickly became nearly impossible to continue operating large facilities with high capacity. Outbreaks in warehouses and factories acted as early red flags for the change to come. Businesses needing to operate with fewer staff and higher demand began looking for Ecommerce solutions to help them stay afloat.

Early adopters of digital transformation have weathered the storm better than those who have yet to automate their operations. With more employees working from home, business buyers have come to expect the same Amazon-like experience from vendors that they enjoy in B2C spaces.

To better understand the challenges faced by this industry, let’s look closely at three key process manufacturing industries. Then we can determine how they would best be served by adopting an Ecommerce solution:

INDUSTRIAL GLASS AND PLASTICS

As lockdowns began, a number of changes took place in stores across North America. Mandatory face masks for staff and consumers became commonplace, as did plexiglass partitions anywhere consumers came face-to-face with staff. This put a strain on contractors who were required to install these partitions as well as the manufacturers who produce the materials required.

“There were practically no face shields in the country; the supply was just not there, so there was a major, major rush to manufacture the product.”

– Mitch Grindley, Executive Chairman, Plaskolite

Salesforce B2B Commerce can help these businesses adapt and grow quickly. The goal is to save time wasted managing paperwork, keep up with inventory requests and foresee future demand. Simplifying this process means easier transactions, reduced backlog and fewer headaches for accounting and service teams.

MEDICAL DEVICES

It’s no secret the medical manufacturing industry has seen a major uptick in demand as a result of COVID-19. With hospitals increasingly facing high patient intake, medical device manufacturers must also scale their ability to supply their customers with much-needed equipment and supplies.

Nubik has implemented B2B Ecommerce solutions for a number of pharmaceutical manufacturers in the past. We’ve offered our clients tools to replace traditional systems such as phone service, fax machines and email quickly and efficiently. These antiquated methods of conducting business are easily replaceable with automated systems that simplify day-to-day operations for all involved.

FOOD PACKAGING AND CONTAINERS

The dining experience as we’ve known it changed forever following government lockdowns and restrictions. Fewer consumers are eating out, with most opting for takeout and delivery options. Restaurants of all price ranges have had to adapt to food delivery and pick-up models. This change in service across an entire global industry has led to increased demand from packaging and container manufacturers. The global food packaging market’s annual compound growth rate is expected to increase 7.5% by 2026.

Overwhelmed manufacturers in the packaging and container industry can adapt to this new reality by scaling their business through solutions such as Salesforce B2B Commerce. It’s designed specifically to enhance and empower the customer’s buyer journey. The key lies in offering an Amazon-like experience that so many B2B customers crave. You can simplify and improve their experience with an intuitive interface that identifies appropriate inventory and stock suited to their needs.

LEAD YOUR CATEGORY IN CUSTOMER EXPERIENCE

A vital component of any Ecommerce implementation is a set of tools to help manage the backend. The right solution will provide your customers with a smoother digital experience throughout the sales cycle all the way to fulfilment. If manufacturers can’t meet their demands in a timely fashion, then customers will simply seek out suppliers who can. If businesses don’t adapt quickly to a rapidly-changing environment, they may find themselves on the side-lines as the competition ramps up their own digital transformation.

MORE RESOURCES

If you missed our ebook on ERP and CRM integration strategies for manufacturers, you may find some valuable insights for present-day circumstances.

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