The future is not far away. Changing your Logistics patterns usually occur when it has to be done – but that is when your competitors are also likely to be changing their Logistics. With more businesses competing for the new environment, prices increase. The alternative is to think ahead and consider what could happen and whether changes to your business … Read More
Logisticians pleased with fall in freight rates – maybe
Volatility in ocean freight rates. Volatility in freight rates is not new. The fall in container shipping rates continues a two year decline. As the current rates (especially Asia to Europe) are likely to be loss-making for shipping companies, something will give. Demand-supply in the market will regain balance and all will be right – but will it? Most major … Read More
Your customers will pay their accounts on time, maybe
Collecting the money. After all the work has been done to fulfil the order, comes the wait until the customer pays the account. But what if the customer does not pay? This is the situation for suppliers to a large metals processor in Australia – it has gone into voluntary administration with debts of $A70m. The challenge is that the … Read More
Supply Chain risks you do not know about, but should
A recent event and risk. Its not the risks that you know about that are a challenge, but those you do not know. This situation came to the fore recently with regard to Australia’s smallest State, the island of Tasmania. With a small population and little industry, the State is reliant on imports from the mainland to stock the shops. … Read More
Consumer-centric networks – the next supply chains
A new ‘buzz’. Over the last eighteen months, the term ‘consumer-centric network’ has been used by some commentators and consultancies. So, what is new, because whenever there is competition for sales of an item or service, the customers’ needs should be taken into account. The explanation is that in current value and supply chains, the consumer is positioned at the … Read More