The pandemic struck at a time when supply chain risk management was in many ways in a worse state than it has ever been. Globalisation has created long-distance multi-tiered supply…
The importance of Supply Chain Visibility
Supply chain visibility is not just understanding what a product is, what time it will arrive or leave a warehouse, or when it will be with a customer. It is…
Aligning your supply chain to meet the needs of the business
The UK private sector has shown remarkable resilience during these times of crisis in supply chains, according to the Confederation of British Industry’s (CBIs) latest growth indicator, which shows that…
Supply Chain – Coping with Change
Change has become the norm for every industry in recent times. The supply chain, as an integral part of every business, is no exception to this trend. We face a…
Relationship Problems with your 3PL? What is the equivalent of going to Relate to fix your problems?
Relationship Problems with your 3PL? What is the equivalent of going to Relate to fix your problems?
Your relationship with your outsourced logistics provider can sometimes be a bit like a marriage. It can grow stale, be in a bit of a rut, with each partner getting…
Tired Outsourcing Contract? How do you regenerate excitement and progress?
Your contract is tired. You are getting a good service, you are getting a reasonable price, but are there better ways of running the operation? Are there better suppliers offering…
Demystifying the physical internet
Firstly, what exactly is the Physical Internet? The physical internet, abbreviated frequently to PI, allows for optimisation of transport and logistics through connecting the fixed facilities (such as warehouses) and…
Does your supply chain need to see a doctor?
Does your supply chain need to see a doctor? Looking back over the past 12 months, has your supply chain undergone any unexpected behavioural changes, seemed somewhat ‘under the weather’…
Life after lockdown.
Life after lockdown. The way out of Covid-19 Lockdown. The series of lockdowns have caused most companies to rethink their supply chains. Getting businesses up and running once the lockdown…
Are your warehouse operations and warehouses fit for the future?
When everyone is busy with normal day to day operations it is easy to become too focused on the here and now. Reacting to current challenges may be comforting in…
Achieving success in forecasting and demand planning
Is your inventory management run on gut feel and guesswork? Maybe it’s based on an outdated demand-planning package that no-one knows how to reconfigure to meet today’s needs. With Brexit…
3PL Outsourcing to achieve the best outcome
Soaring e-commerce demand is driving growth in outsourcing to third party logistics companies, commonly known as 3PLs. Many businesses facing the uncertainty thrown up by the pandemic are wondering how…
No-Deal Brexit: the next supply chain crisis?
As the likelihood of a no-deal Brexit remains a strong possibility and with a clearly stated intention from the UK government not to ask for a further extension, what will…
Does understanding supply chain costs feel like wading through treacle? Cost-to-Serve Modelling and KPIs.
One of the financial management challenges in business is understanding and explaining cost changes in logistics and supply chains. By the time the cost numbers reach the Board Room, the…
Supply Chain Cost Reduction.
A supply chain cost reduction does not mean a reduction in quality or service. In fact, quite the opposite. Experienced operators look for customer service improvement opportunities as well as…
Rapid responses are needed to e-Comm Growth, is your organisation equipped to make them?
With the recent massive growth in e-comm volumes, businesses are struggling to adapt to the short-term challenges and longer-term needs. How can businesses react to this change in demand pattern…
Making sure your logistics and supply chain projects actually deliver planned savings and benefits.
Logistics and supply chains are an important source of cost savings for businesses undertaking internal divisional mergers or rationalising and optimising their transport and warehousing networks. They also help to…
Supply chain risk management after the Coronavirus. The game has changed.
What the Coronavirus crisis tells us about supply chain risk management. How supply chain mapping and what-if scenario modelling will help you develop risk mitigating strategies for the next supply…
Procurement of Logistics Services can be a tricky business.
Existing supplier versus going to tender. Is the grass always greener on the other side? Changing suppliers is always a balance between benefit and risk. Management time is valuable, so…
How to remove the risk when you outsource your logistics services.
Outsourcing logistics services to 3PLs is a risky business. Even the biggest companies can get wrong. Remember KFC and DHL – and this wasn’t even a first time outsourcing. So,…