Starting the improvement process. How should an effective Procurement function operate? There will be different ideas at the detail level, but are there some main points that would find general agreement? These thoughts came about recently while having coffee with a colleague who has recently completed a consulting assignment. The assignment was to advise on ‘reducing the cost of purchased … Read More
Logistics Service Providers can improve their business
What do shippers require of their 3PL suppliers? A third party logistics (3PL) service provider is unlikely to be equally good at every part of their service offering. So what aspects of the service should 3PL businesses and their shipper clients aim for? The events firm Eye for Transport has recently asked shippers and retailers in North America to rank … Read More
Making your supply chains really effective takes time
Productivity as a part of your business. Achieving substantial improvements to the supply chains and logistics of your business is not a five minute exercise. Productivity improvement always involves managers actually managing; that is, allocating resources to achieve the desired outcomes. And that can mean people changing their role in the business or being retrenched – always a difficult exercise. … Read More
The total cost of your low cost items may be high
Know the Total Cost of Ownership for items. Are you thinking about outsourcing the manufacture and delivery of a product, or renewing a current outsourcing contract? For manufacturing items, you may think of China or other countries in north or south east Asia. Why? because production costs are considered to be lower. Labour costs are still a dominant feature when … Read More
Buying from low cost countries has supply chain risks
Another case of problems with international suppliers. Companies that buy items internationally, which become products sold through retail stores have many risks. A big risk is that the media, including social media, will uncover any misdeeds and ‘cutting corners’ by your business and your international suppliers. And you will get all the publicity you do not need! Examples of problems … Read More