Opening up frontiers in logistics – broadening opportunities
Author: Alexandra Leonards
Despite its poor reputation, outsourced procurement is an increasingly valid option – relationships are the key
The last month has seen many of the largest European logistics companies release their financial results for the full year 2003. Largest of them all, Deutsche Post, announced that it exceeded €40 billion in revenues for the first time.
Not that long ago the dream of automating procurement for indirect, and even direct, goods was seen as not far off. So why is this Utopia so illusive, and how can it be attained? There may be a simple answer.
Defining Fourth Party Logistics seems as difficult as implementing it. However, despite the continuing debate, Frost & Sullivan’s latest report shows that the way ahead is becoming clearer for 4PL.
As the business pressure builds, pharmaceutical firms are struggling to find new logistics formulae. Is consolidation the remedy?
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?
Companies must seize the opportunities offered by the accession of 10 new countries into the European Union this May.
