Private-branded merchandise brings higher margins and brand recognition in the competitive world of retailing. But it also calls for greater control over the supply chain.
Afraid to let safety stocks get too low, companies often get overwhelmed by their inventory. New ideas, processes and technologies in inventory management can solve that.
A conversation with Hector Granda, director of global procurement policies and learning and development within the Integrated Supply Chain at IBM, Armonk, N.Y.
While supply chain efficiency is important, companies need to focus more attention on reducing risk to their financial performance resulting from supply chain disruptions.
Castrol's European operation faced a common supply-chain conundrum: excess inventory and poor customer service. A new planning department separate from execution, coupled with technology from ToolsGroup, got the company's supply chain back on track.
Low-cost labor is driving the stampede of manufacturers to China, but they must also consider the logistics implications of a longer supply chain and under-developed local infrastructure.
As the cost and complexity of wireless solutions comes down, even the smallest companies are taking advantage of mobile communications, while early adopters are finding new ways to leverage their wireless networks.