People skills for an uncertain future in supply chains

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

WMS in operation at a warehouse

Current attributes in logistics The coming decade will contain uncertainties for economies and enterprises, due to the effects of climate change and geopolitics. So, what attributes should be considered when employing supply chain staff for a changing environment? A recent article by a personnel firm in Australia, identified the types of distribution and warehouse jobs currently in demand at shippers … Read More

Effect of trade decisions on supply chain inventories

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Container Terminals at Night

International trade is slowing International trade is said to be the blood flow of the global economy. For some time, the blood flow has been slowing, which affects supply chains and the dependent logistics services. And the situation can change in a matter of months. At the end of 2018 importers in the US ‘front-loaded’ their orders, to avoid paying … Read More

Transport issues that could change the current scenario

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Containers operation at the wharf

Threat of ‘stranded assets’ You are a busy supply chain professional. Should future developments in supply chains be based on the scenario that has existed for your time working in the field? But, scenarios can change, caused by market forces, technology developments or government action. When unplanned change occurs, logistics assets built for one mode of moving goods can be … Read More

Water – supply chains using more but less available

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Know your supply markets

Water in supply chains Water is not a resource in which Logisticians typically concern themselves; but should they? Changes in climate and weather activity are likely to affect supply chains – less water available for much of the time; then too much water, in the form of floods. Water has not received the publicity of climate change, yet is a … Read More

Cultural influences on supply chains and trade

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Warehouse employees

Geopolitical factors The uncertainties generated by ongoing trade tensions between the US and China and other inter-government trade disputes have initiated reviews by enterprises of the international supply chain operations they own or have outsourced. In addition to the cost implications of changes to supply chains, there are other factors affecting logistics to consider (where to relocate distribution and maybe … Read More