Manufacturers are outsourcing and expanding their markets and as a result logistics have become more complex. "Think about the activities that people have moved outside of their four walls," Doyle said. "It could be engineering, distribution or production. It adds complexity when you add new partners involved in your supply chain."
An increase in demand and overall economic volatility may also require sudden changes in supply chains. And as economic uncertainty continues to play a role in consumer purchases, "customers are becoming more price sensitive and less loyal in some cases," Doyle said. With consumer demand and higher expectations on the rise, manufacturers need to top their competition, whether that means customization, quicker turnaround times or improved service.
Innovation and marketing strategies pose additional challenges for manufacturers. "Introducing new products has a lot of complexities for the supply chain," Doyle said. "You need to get the right product at the right quality, at the right cost." Cost reductions are also fundamental for price sensitive customers, she noted.
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