Business Reporter

As bringing goods to market becomes both increasingly risky and costly, are supply chain managers the real business innovators? A generation ago, issues such as risk in the supply chain didn’t keep managers awake at night. That was simply because there was no such term as “supply chain”. There were operations and logistics managers, but [...]

Whether it’s a need for speed, sharing resources or making an emotional connection with suppliers and customers, today’s logistics businesses are rising to the challenges of an ever-changing world

Manufacturers are utterly dependent on supply chains whether it is sourcing parts or getting goods to market. But even the best prepared can fall foul of the unexpected The death toll in the earthquake and tsunami that devastated north-eastern Japan in March was huge and terrible. But there was another, less obvious casualty worldwide. Faith [...]

A major transformation is happening in the way goods are transported across the UK and Europe And the change is being led by Palletforce – a new breed of pallet network that is carving out a smarter route for businesses that want to use more flexible and greener logistics. “Without doubt we are seeing a [...]

With tight margins and rising costs, it’s sink or swim time for companies. Planning and scheduling software could navigate businesses through the choppy economic waters Seldom have companies competed for business in such a highly uncertain economic climate. The ability to drive out cost, increase company agility, and secure and grow market share is fundamental [...]

Your intellectual property may be one of your chief concerns in a supply chain relationship but, with some care, your secrets can stay safe The crucial word in many supply chain relationships is “trust”. Big companies sourcing components or materials from smaller firms want to know their intellectual property (IP) isn’t leaking out, perhaps into [...]

In challenging economic times, opportunities to increase profit cannot be overlooked. Pallet networks could reduce costs and enhance customer service Andy Turner, a managing director at Palletways, Europe’s largest and fastest growing network for deliveries of small consignments of palletised freight, says going down the route of a variable logistics model is good for business [...]

Whether it’s the automotive industry or fashion, technological advances are enabling businesses and their suppliers to work closer together than ever before The concept of the “extended enterprise” may sound like management speak. But if you buy a car, an item of clothing, a dishwasher or an aircraft, you’re buying not just from the name [...]

Consumers are wielding more influence over supply chains and how goods are packaged as environmental concerns become more prevalent Supply chain experts tend to focus on technical issues such as just-in-time, supplier development, lean manufacturing and so on, but there is another class of individuals who wield a considerable influence on supply chains but are [...]

Eliminate the need for pens and scanners in a warehouse environment with wireless voice-assisted technology We used to navigate the roads using paper maps, which are awkward and dangerous when trying to drive, but the reassuring voice of the satnav is increasingly enabling drivers to find their way without taking their eyes off the road. [...]