Browsing: Logistics & Supply Chain

Finnish pharmaceutical distributor Oriola is reaping the benefits of a new IT system which offers greater management of sell-by dates and batch control.

China’s compelling cost structure is leading many retailers and manufacturers to view it as the land of opportunity. But what are the hidden costs of a China supply chain?

This month acquisition activity has focused around global Swiss logistics provider Kuehne + Nagel International.

Inventory management used to be about lean systems and JIT but accurate real time information is now more essential as demand-driven supply networks come on-stream. Perhaps one day, stock-outs really will be consigned to history.

The engineering sector is late on the supply chain bandwagon but the challenge of low cost overseas manufacturing means logistics is fast moving up the agenda. What does the future hold?

The Engineering and General Manufacturing sector has made a comeback this year, with Rexam Beverage Can Europe & Asia taking the top prize in The European Supply Chain Excellence Awards 2005.

‘Managing a business is really about managing the supply chain,’ says the global operations director of De La Rue Cash Systems.

In recent weeks I have been able to meet a broad cross-section of European logistics professionals during the autumn round of conferences in Central and Western Europe.

After the hype, many feel disillusioned with RFID but the technology continues to move ahead as prices fall and trials proliferate.