Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure

Colorado-based global technology solutions provider Arrow Electronics teamed with Colorado State University (CSU) this semester to provide professional expertise and real-world learning opportunities to students enrolled in a new course, “Sustainable Strategies for E-Waste Management.”

A Barclays colleague, who had joined the organisation as an apprentice, took centre stage in promoting private sector efforts to close the education and skills gap between north and south this week.

Last year marked a monumental turning point for the future of electric vehicles (EVs), with several auto companies such as Volkswagen AG, General Motors and Volvo announcing significant electrification plans. Bolstered by improved battery technology, longer battery range, greater variety and lower prices, consumer confidence in EVs is at an all-time high. According to Forbes, light-duty EV sales in the United States rose 37 percent in 2016.

Utilities need to start thinking now about how they are going to scale up power infrastructure to meet the increased demand for commercial and personal vehicles. Although the benefits of electrification are undeniable, the move away from internal combustion engines is raising questions about energy management and grid stability.

Not long ago, the mere thought of drones was reserved for the military and sci-fi movies. Today, they’ve become a part of everyday conversation among friends, in the media and beyond. While drones aren’t swarming the skies yet, many companies across industries are using them more and more to increase efficiency and productivity.

“Drone technology is going to disrupt businesses,” says Elaine Whyte, head of drones (UK) at PricewaterhouseCoopers. “They’re agile, inexpensive, and rapid to respond. So, they can go and reach places that are difficult for a business to get to.”

Ultimately, implementing unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) will make jobs easier, safer and more cost-effective, which is a win-win across sectors.

FORTUNE named global technology-solutions provider Arrow Electronics, Inc. (NYSE: ARW) to its “World’s Most Admired Companies” list for the 18th time. For the fifth consecutive year, Arrow placed first in the “Wholesalers: Electronics and Office Equipment” category based on input from industry executives, directors and analysts.

SynTao, Mainland China and Hong Kong’s Global Exchange local authority and a leading CSR professional body will host the 2018 CRO Global Summit – Sustainability, the Engine of Future Business on January 25th in Shanghai. The Summit includes discussions around the approaches of the future of business driven by sustainability and the implementation of the SDGs in the Chinese market.

The fourth industrial revolution is upon us. Technology, jobs, government policies, and entire economies around the world are on the edge of a massive shift. This presents a once-in-a-generation opportunity for global leaders to come together and embrace new digital technologies that hyper-charge their economic prospects, create new manufacturing jobs, educate the next generation of highly skilled labor, and ultimately shape the next hundred years of our planet.

The insights uncovered in Black & Veatch’s 2018 Strategic Directions: Smart Cities & Utilities Report demonstrate a growing awareness among communities and utilities that modern, digital infrastructure such as data collection networks, infrastructure automation and advanced communication systems are the key components of today’s smart city initiatives. It is only through these systems that cities and utilities can optimize operations to realize the promise of the smart city – and create a sustainable future.

The triple blows from hurricanes Harvey, Irma, and Maria in the United States were a wake-up call to many businesses on the importance of managing and predicting supply chain risks. While the long-term impacts of these disasters are still unclear, operations across the country were immediately disrupted as factories and business shut down, transportation came to a standstill, and fuel prices skyrocketed.