Articles
3PL
The Logistics of Doing Business in China
Earlier this year, one of the United States’ most famous apparel manufacturers closed its last U.S. manufacturing facility. Like many companies, it now relies on plants in countries across the world for manufacturing. At least one is likely to be in China. China already accounts for a vast amount of the world’s production, including 75 […]
Read MoreKnowing What and When to Outsource
Anyone who has visited Kansas City to savor down-home cooking and fried chicken will recognize the tag line, “We Choke Our Own Chickens” as belonging to Stroud’s restaurant. Marketers say that you have to be on the edge to cut through all the clutter, and I think you will agree that Stroud’s slogan has done […]
Read MorePenetrating the U.S. Market With No Warehousing Investment
Warehousing just got a major facelift in the global supply chain world. Companies are starting to globally expand their product markets without the added weight of materials management, warehousing and distribution costs—and without adding staff in new markets. An excellent example of this new logistics trend is a Middle East manufacturer of ready-to-assemble consumer PVC […]
Read MorePlease Don’t Squeeze the 3PL
When is it practical to develop a cost-plus relationship? Many companies that outsource spend up to 60 percent of their logistics management time defining, selecting and negotiating the 3PL agreement yet do not fully realize the total benefits available from the outsourced relationship. The cost-plus agreement must allow the outsourcer to maximize the ROI from […]
Read MorePulling the Profit Lever of Spare Parts Logistics
Like many supply chain professionals, you probably rarely, if ever, consider the world of spare parts logistics. After all, why should you? How could you know that strategic logistics planning of your spare parts inventories will increase revenues, reduce costs, improve profitability, and have a direct impact on both the top and bottom line, while […]
Read MoreBecoming Truly Global: 3PLs Face New Challenges
The challenge of heading a global 3PL must be influenced by both an understanding of North American logistics and by a personal desire to help define the role of logistics. The future of freight forwarding depends on the partnerships and collaboration that can only be delivered by third-party logistics providers who have the capability to […]
Read MoreRetailers Take Outsourcing to the Next Level
As the economy creeps forward, retailers must focus on taking control of their supply chain functions. This sounds like a no-brainer to those of us who work day in and day out on tightening the supply chain. But the fact is, many retail organizations are simply not set up to get a good view of […]
Read MoreSix Ways to Grow in a Down Economy
In the 1990s, it looked like we could do no wrong. The economy was growing. The stock market was rising. Venture capital was plentiful. Young people became instant millionaires in the dot.com world. Then came the new millennium and somehow that all changed. The economy started to shrink and layoffs became commonplace. The stock market […]
Read MoreWhat’s Next in Outsourcing’s Evolution?
Regardless of the complexities of Darwinian theory, it is easy to find similarities between the evolution of man and outsourcing supply chain functions. After all, there was a time in my career when “postponement strategies” seemed as foreign a phrase as “australopithecines” (an extinct humanlike primate). What was once fancy speak now seems no more […]
Read MoreOrchestrating Successful Product Launches
Successful product launches are like a well-orchestrated symphony. Each instrument must work in harmony to produce the melody, and every musician plays a critical role. As the conductor of a product launch, you want flawless orchestration, but getting products to the retail market presents many challenges. In today’s economic environment, companies cannot afford any missteps, […]
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