Hospitals have traditionally relied upon nursing and care staff to manage and replenish stocks, an activity that, though important, is not the most effective use of finite nursing resources.
Simon Duddy illustrates how supply chain best practice can be
The major car manufacturers rely on a business model unsuited to today’s mature car markets – demand is no longer greater than supply. Clearly, a new strategy to make and supply is required if manufacturers are to pull out of the red.
Though still cost-obsessed, the auto industry’s inbound supply chain has slipped from its pre-eminent position and could now learn a few things from other sectors. Perhaps the delivery standards of supermarkets could apply?
With little sign that the automotive industry is going to solve its overcapacity problems anytime soon, supply chain efficiency will remain one of the prime areas for maintaining margins – and that means a focus on information visibility.
Manufacturers are going to have to do more to earn a crust from the lucrative auto after-market with the lifting of block exemption. Dealers will be flying their own flags.
The internet could play a bigger part than you think in the car of our dreams. The networked car could soon be a reality. If you’re a manufacturer, dealer or supplier, take a look into the future, imagine this…
One area of the supply chain where value can be created and recovered at marginal cost is reverse logistics. Steve Butler highlights some of the key drivers that have placed this much overlooked subject at the top of supply chain agendas.
Traditional distribution hubs in western and central Europe are soon to face stiff competition. Expansion of the European Union in May 2004 is expected to have a significant affect on Europe’s distribution site ‘hot spots’. But many factors come into play
With manufacturing moving East, storage requirements are shifting from ‘goods for manufacture’ to space for a growing flow of imported products. Patterns are changing, but the trend is for ever more space. Can the developers keep up with demand?
With warehouse management systems increasingly expected to contribute to the velocity and visibility of items in the extended supply chain, the boundaries between WMS and ERP are blurring. It’s clear, the warehouse can no longer operate in isolation.
