The consumer products division of Ericsson, the Swedish telecommunications giant, found additional dollars to invest in its capital-intensive business by outsourcing inbound logistics and shifting responsibility for inventory management to vendors.

The market leader in networking hardware creates a single enterprise of channel partners, connected by the internet, with stunning results.

As Kodak's European business changed in response to economic union and various internal factors, the company needed a logistics solution that would provide greater flexibility and lower overhead costs at key facilities. It opted for outsourcing with a shared-use approach, a concept that was given an unusual and innovative twist in the U.K. with partner MSAS Global Logistics.

Fujitsu PC needed help with its notebook operation, which was suffering from both excess inventory and slow deliveries. It turned to FedEx for a total logistics solution and now is getting the results it wanted - but the start-up was far from smooth.

Partnerships are the key to introducing supply-chain innovations, reducing inventory and coping with a shortage of modern infrastructure.

Canadian retailer Club Monaco, a recent addition to the Polo Ralph Lauren group, needed a total logistics solution when it relaunched its cosmetics business to an international audience. PBB Global Logistics had the required services and the right approach.

Netherlands-based Philips Medical Systems revamped its spare-parts logistics network to better serve owners of its diagnostic imaging machines. These changes were in line with a larger trend in Europe, where roadblocks to centralized distribution of medical equipment slowly are coming down - giving U.S. companies new opportunities for carving out market share.