Autor: Joseph W. Dörmann

Hydrogen fuel cells promise to be a sustainable alternative to fossil fuel or battery-electric material handling equipment (MHE) in various production or warehouse contexts. Short refuelling times, an absence of carbon emissions, and constant power input put fuel cell-powered MHE at an advantage in high-intensity work environments. However, various barriers to the adoption of fuel cells remain, including considerations surrounding cost and efficiency.

Over the past decades, circular economy has established itself as an important strategy for tackling sustainability challenges. Its holistic approach aims to use resources efficiently and minimize waste. This article aims to identify and evaluate the numerous challenges connected to the successful implementation and expansion of the circular economy approach. Economic, technological, social and political aspects are examined to provide a comprehensive insight into the complexity of the strategy and its implementation. The article concludes that a successful circular economy can only be achieved through the coordinated cooperation of different stakeholders and the development of innovative solutions to the identified challenges.

This paper examines various forecasting models used to predict business crises in the automotive and electronic manufacturing industries, with a focus on German companies. By comparing the performance of these models, we aim to identify the best approach for each industry. We also discuss real-world business case scenarios to demonstrate the practical implications of our findings, including the role of risk management in supply chain and procurement departments. Our results show that the most effective model for forecasting crises in the automotive industry is the VAR model, while the EWS model is best suited for the electronic manufacturing industry. Furthermore, we identify key risk factors that supply chain and procurement departments must consider enhancing their resilience in the face of crises.