Manufacturing and Distribution Today, the manufacturing and distribution industry faces unique and complex challenges on a global scale. Even smaller organisations must navigate suppliers, logistics, and regulations from different parts of the world. As organisations search for ways to drive innovation in how they design, produce, and deliver, they often struggle to implement those changes for long-lasting value.These challenges also provide enormous opportunities for companies to see beyond the short-term challenges and position themselves for long-term success.Protiviti partners with leaders to help them achieve greater confidence in these dynamic and ever-changing environments. We aim to better understand the unique strengths, risks, and opportunities of your organisation and its future goals.With the help of a tailored, multi-disciplinary team of professionals that fits your situation and company culture, we collaborate to build custom solutions that maximise your chances of success.While the process is never simple, our goal is to help make you better equipped as you embrace the future. 2024 Top Risks in the Manufacturing and Distribution Industry In an ever-evolving and rapidly changing business landscape for manufacturing and distribution organisations, executives and boards are challenged to navigate myriad risks, particularly as their businesses continue to play catch-up on numerous fronts in areas such as innovation and digital transformation. Learn More Challenges and Opportunities Facing the Industry At Protiviti, we continuously publish insights to address the volume and complexity of issues facing the Manufacturing and Distribution industry. What we do Challenges and opportunities Our services Sectors we serve Insights Leadership Subscription Our services to the Manufacturing and Distribution sector: We help protect your critical assets and data by identifying vulnerabilities and providing actionable remediation guidance. Applications, services, databases, IoT, mobile devices, whether on-premise or in the cloud, are safer with Protiviti. Pro Briefcase Cybersecurity As a result of their global connectivity, manufacturing and distribution companies face cybersecurity threats from multiple fronts. This can impact operations as well as the front and back office. We equip clients with the proper tools to protect against today’s most complex and innovative threats. Protiviti provides a holistic approach that defines what is most important to you, helping you to protect yourself and also react quickly when a breach occurs. Pro Building office Digital Transformation Smart use of technology helps manufacturing and distribution companies better manage what they do and how they do it—with the added benefit of digitising products and services to meet customer needs. We help you align people, processes, and technology to transform your organisation and help you face a fast-changing future with confidence. Pro Document Consent Business Intelligence For manufacturing and distribution companies, data is an asset. But it’s often challenging to identify and capture the right information to create business insights. Improving how you understand, organise, and leverage your data is a business imperative. Protiviti takes a pragmatic, personalised approach to data solutions. We tailor solutions that fit your organisation, enhancing business value through more efficient collection, distribution, and usage of information. Pro Document Files Supply Chain Optimisation and Resilience The recent pandemic tested the interconnectedness of global supply chains. Supply chain disruption risks continue to impact manufacturing and distribution organisations. We can help you address emerging trends and existing challenges through solutions that position your organisation for improved performance and resiliency. Pro Document Stack Cost and Performance Management In today’s competitive global environment, the ability to make and manage smart capital investments, run efficient back-office operations, and manage cash flow are critical. We help you identify and implement cost management efforts that drive performance—in both good and more challenging times. Pro Legal Briefcase Transactions, Mergers, and Acquisitions Manufacturing and distribution companies seek three types of transactions to transform their businesses: Mergers or acquisitions to expand the scope of operations or value chain, divestitures to focus on core competencies, or capital infusions from the public or private markets. In all these situations, we provide independent advisory and due diligence services, helping you maximise value today and position you for success in the future. Pro Workflow Flowchart Evolution of Internal Controls The demands on internal audit and finance functions continue to increase. Organisations today need not only accurate reporting but also insights to improve the business. We focus on helping you increase confidence with an evolving governance structure through world-class internal audit and finance functions. Sectors we serve Protiviti’s cross-functional teams serve a large and diverse client base in the Manufacturing and Distribution industry. We help our clients face a range of modern challenges Industrial products From industrial machinery and aerospace and defence to construction and electrical equipment manufacturers, we help our clients face a range of modern challenges. These challenges include a more elastic workforce and digitally-enabled workplace, differentiated and resilient supply chains, secure distributed IT infrastructure and systems, leveraging IoT for Industry 4.0. and automating time-consuming and costly processes. Achieve greater confidence Distribution For distributors, warehousing companies, and supply chain service providers, we support their goals of intelligent supply chain technologies and the use of data, cost-efficient processes, supply chain resiliency, and differentiated customer experiences. Achieve greater confidence Deliver solutions to address operational challenges Materials and chemicals We serve a diverse array of clients in industrial and speciality chemicals, paints and adhesives, pesticide and fertilisers, building materials, glass, ceramic and concrete products, as well as pulp and paper, rubber and plastic, and wood products manufacturing. Our cross-functional teams deliver solutions to address operational challenges such as cost pressures, sourcing strategies, offshoring/nearshoring/onshoring decisions, as well as technology solutions to streamline decentralised systems and data and ESG disclosures. Featured insights BLOG AI Can Revolutionize Manufacturing Efficiency Adapting new technologies to manufacturing applications and processes is often a challenge – and, particularly with AI, there is no easy button to push. Yes, but: The benefits of AI are undeniable. Manufacturers continue to find new AI use cases... BLOG How M&D Companies Can Gauge their BP&A Capabilities and Prepare for Unknowns Business leaders in the manufacturing and distribution industries are facing relentless pressure to cut costs and reduce operational inefficiencies while maintaining the quality of output. This is elevating their focus on effective business planning... BLOG Manufacturers Can Build Resilience With AI-Powered Crisis Simulations What you need to know: In a world where unpredictability has become the norm, organizations are seeking innovative methods to ensure their teams are prepared for any crisis. Traditional training approaches fall short in simulating the complexity... BLOG CRSD Compliance Creates Unique Challenges for Manufacturers What to watch: ESG metrics and measurement – and, by extension, reporting – are the highest priority areas for CFOs and their finance groups to address this year. This holds true among a number of industry segments, including manufacturing and... BLOG Securing the Manufacturing Floor: Protect IoT Devices and Networks The big picture: Whenever we write about cybersecurity, news of the day ensures we are never scrambling for examples of cyber attacks, data breaches and other events that create major problems for organizations. The points of vulnerability are... BLOG Manufacturers of Smart Products Must Wage a Cyber Battle on Two Fronts The big picture: Smart devices have become ubiquitous throughout society, providing greater convenience and efficiency to consumers and businesses. Unfortunately, the occurrence of criminals exploiting device vulnerabilities to steal data,... Button Button Featured client stories Enhancing Cyber Resilience Strategies in Global Manufacturing with the FAIR Methodology Protiviti helps a global manufacturer enhance cyber resilience strategies with a Factor Analysis of Information Risk (FAIR) quantification program. Jumpstarting S/4HANA Adoption: Global Distributor Transforms Analytics Program Experience seamless S/4HANA adoption with Protiviti's expertise. Streamline analytics, automate processes, and empower your team for future growth.... Mastering Compliance and Efficiency with SAP GRC Access and Process Control Elevate compliance and efficiency with SAP GRC implementation by Protiviti. Streamline access control and process management for seamless operations. Data Excellence Paves the Way to SAP S/4HANA Readiness Elevate your business with robust data governance & SAP S/4HANA readiness. Learn how our client achieved seamless transitions & future-proofed operations. Achieving New Heights with Transformative Inventory Management Solutions The client wanted to improve inventory management practices at a facility in its commercial HVAC division, which was seeing significant production disruptions and inventory losses. Inventory was handled by several third-party logistics companies,... Manufacturer Optimises Supply Chain Analytics With Azure Machine Learning Global Manufacturer optimises supply chain analytics with Microsoft Azure Machine Learning significantly improving its ability to adapt to rapid changes in both processes and cost analyses. Button Button Leadership Nick McKeehan Nick is a Managing Director who serves as Protiviti’s Global Leader for Financial Reporting Remediation & Compliance services. He has over 20 years of experience leading Finance Transformations, including: public company transitions, financial accounting ... Learn More Sharon Lindstrom Sharon is a Managing Director with over 30 years experience in providing audit and risk consulting services to companies primarily in the manufacturing industry. She leads Protiviti’s global Manufacturing and Distribution Industry team, supporting the pharma/life ... Learn More Manufacturing and Distribution Quarterly Insights Newsletter Subscribe