Supply Chain definitions Understanding the scope of a challenge helps in defining how to structure and implement the solution. So it is with supply chains. Supply chains are not new; they have existed since people commenced trading items. But, the term itself was first used in an article written in the early 1980’s and commenced adoption in business about ten … Read More
Change in a country’s logistics performance can be slow
Country logistics performance When evaluating the performance of Logistics Service Providers (LSP) across countries in your supply chains, there must also be an evaluation of the logistics capability for each identified country. Why is this? Because a higher level of performance from logistics services depends on the public sector’s policies and actions, including: attitude to globalisation, regulations, infrastructure, controls and … Read More
To do before your first international shipment of goods
International shipping is different When your small to medium size enterprise (SME) has built some serious traction in the domestic market, it’s time to consider going international. There are many benefits to expanding internationally: New revenue potential Exposure to foreign investment opportunities Access to new customers Government incentives Diversifying markets for the business However, international shipping is different from domestic … Read More
Change in the freight forwarding sector of supply chains
A fragmented market. A freight forwarder is not a capital intensive business, unlike a container shipping line, with investment in ships and possibly shore-side equipment. However, freight forwarders are data intensive businesses. Any industry in this situation will have established companies open to competition from other players in the supply chains, in addition to technology based disruptors. If there is … Read More
Supply Chains and possible change in container shipping
Growth for container shipping lines. International container shipping is an undifferentiated industry – a container is a container and the ships are very similar. To grow their individual businesses, options for shipping companies are to increase volume, reduce unit cost or to construct a vertically integrated business. But what could be the effect on customers’ supply chains? To achieve their … Read More