Companies and supply chains continue to face unprecedented challenges and, in some cases, unprecedented opportunities. The post-COVID-19 (if we can claim to be post COVID) “new normal” will continue to be defined by new challenges and more importantly by the ability of the supply chain executives to manage disruption and their ability to power organization […]
Franklin Sports, founded in 1946, is a third-generation business employing over 150 workers and doing roughly $200 million in business. The company, headquartered in Stoughton Massachusetts, is now headed by Adam Franklin. Mr. Franklin’s goal is to grow the business substantially. To achieve that, Franklin Sports supply chain needed to be improved significantly. Sporting Goods […]
According to the annual survey released by the National Retail Federation’s (NRF) and Prosper Insights & Analytics, consumers plan to spend a collective $24 billion on Easter this year, up from $20.8 billion in 2022 and the previous record high of $21.7 billion in 2020. The survey indicates that 81 percent of Americans will celebrate […]
In today’s dynamic and unpredictable business environment, companies face various challenges such as changing consumer demands, global uncertainty, and the impact of natural and man-made events. Procurement and Supply Chain Management are essential functions that can help companies navigate these challenges, but they are often siloed and operate in separate departments. Their metrics are often […]
Digital transformation is a term that is thrown around a lot, and people have different ways to interpret what it means. Essentially, digital transformation is the integration of digital technology into all areas of a business. ARC Advisory Group, where I work, publishes an analysis of the 25 manufacturers with the most mature digital transformations. The […]
A key challenge for manufacturers is connecting integrated business planning (IBP) – a longer term plan – to operational planning and execution – what needs to be done in the near term. IBP is a collaborative process involving diverse business functions that is designed to balance demand against supply in a manner that maximizes the […]
We have seen companies look at different ways to deliver orders to customers, and bikes have become more commonplace in busy cities for this reason. But Walmart is looking at bikes in a different way. In the spring of 2022, Walmart created a new position among the roughly 15,000 employees who work at its headquarters […]
Why are shippers interested in benchmarking and why are we hearing more about it lately? Benchmarking helps ensure they are getting the most out of their supply chain and also provides a platform for further optimization. In this article, we will discuss why benchmarking is so important, how it works, and how you can use […]
A transportation management system (TMS) helps companies move freight from origin to destination efficiently, reliably, and cost-effectively. The primary reason companies buy a TMS is for freight savings. These freight savings can be attributed to simulation and network design, load consolidation and lower cost mode selections, and multi-stop route optimization. As freight costs have continued […]
Bugaboo: something that causes fear or distress out of proportion to its importance. When it comes to running a company, when things break down executives have traditionally said “we need to improve our forecasting!” Would better forecasting accuracy be a good thing? Absolutely! Unfortunately, most companies cannot, and will never be able to, consistently rely […]