Reverse Logistics activities. Reverse Logistics consists of the activities to bring items back from their current location, through the same or a different supply chain. It is therefore a cost; but, is that a negative for your enterprise, or a benefit which could produce a positive return? Do not view Reverse Logistics in a negative light; instead, consider all aspects that … Read More
Inventory policy and the factors used in its design
Inventory management challenges. An effective inventory policy is a good theoretical objective, but at a practical level, it becomes difficult to achieve. This is due to senior management’s views concerning the role of inventory and the knowledge and skills of supply chain and logistics professionals to structure a decision making process for an inventory policy. An example of the challenges … Read More
The long tail of Inventory requires a good structure
Long tail of inventory. Currently, media articles are discussing the potential changes to business and the wider community from the implementation of new technologies. But fewer discuss the potential changes from implementing different business models caused by changes in markets. A recent comment noted that order sizes on Asian fabric mills have decreased by between 20 and 30 percent over … Read More
Complex supply networks are facts of life to understand
Supply Chain thinking. Understanding how your supply network functions is critical for professionals engaged with their supply chains. Understanding enables the scope and responsibilities of professionals to be defined and importantly, allows management at senior and middle levels in disciplines affected by supply chain decisions to understand why. How supply networks function became a core interest of mine in the … Read More
What price to pay for indirect products and services?
There is not a ‘list’ price online. The price you are prepared to pay for an item is when you consider most value will be gained. To many of us, this is based on the ‘list’ or advertised price that is available to all. However, this weekend, I experienced shopping on-line where prices are never set as a ‘list price’, … Read More