How to build a more efficient and effective supply chain

An efficient supply chain is vital to the business world. It’s also important for the consumer, as goods must be transported to their destination in a timely and safe manner in order that the customer can reap maximum benefit from them.

Starting the journey

To move goods on pallets across the factory floor before they start their logistics journey, you have to ensure the agility of the whole process. Before goods can even find their place in the warehouse, they will have been moved from the manufacturing base to the storage facility. Castors from Tente make life easier as they can be fitted onto the pallets that are part and parcel of this process.

Listen to the experts

Logistics guru Hilary Devey is all too familiar with some of the problems that can occur if a supply chain isn’t effective. Writing in The Retail Bulletin, Ms Devey suggests that, ‘the need for supply chain transparency is more important than ever and retailers need a logistics provider that is able to offer online proof of delivery.’ If you don’t offer online tracking of goods, your customers will lose confidence in your firm and the manufacturers’ products.

Check out your sub contractors 

Make sure that if you do sub contract, which happens across the construction industry, you trust the reliability of the sub contractor. If you can’t give online assurances you must find a way of communicating with your customers. If goods are going to be late, tell your customer in order that they can inform others. There is nothing more frustrating than waiting for delayed goods to arrive, and not understanding the reasons for the delay. You should also give a new estimated delivery date.

Create an agile supply chain

The supply chain is based around supply and demand. A recent article in The Guardian newspaper has highlighted the fact that new and improved manufacturing processes, especially 3D printing, will change the nature of supply chains. The article stresses that as manufacturing processes become faster, customers will demand receipt of goods at speed and at a lower cost. The need for regional manufacturing centres might help in this instance.

Always have a plan B

Bad weather, overseas labour strikes and a myriad of other problems will always be a fact of life in the logistics and supply chain world. Angry customers will take to social media in their droves to express their anger towards any supply chain operation that doesn’t have an effective back up plan in place. It may sound obvious, but if you can’t deliver goods thanks to reasons beyond your control, then tell the customers, and then tell them what you are going to do about the problem. 

The greener leaner supply chain

21st century consumers are concerned about energy efficiency and recycling. Sustainability, according to this article, is the way ahead for anyone in this industry. Sustainability drives efficiency - and market leaders Procter and Gamble certainly discovered that this was the profitable case for them.