The basics of logistics is easy to understand. A colleague told me this week that Logistics is simple – pick it up, move it, put it down. But, as he said, it gets more difficult when you consider what must operate successfully, so that the simple tasks are not a waste. Some years ago there was a video about waste … Read More
In-house or outsource your logistics operations
In-house solution for delivery. Amazon is reported to be trialling an in-house solution for deliveries of items direct to consumers in America and the UK – should we be surprised? The move is reported due to major logistics service providers (LSPs) not being able to consistently meet the criteria for customer service set by Amazon. Also Amazon has stated that … Read More
Manage your logistics business for growth
Relying on cost reduction. ‘You cannot shrink your company to greatness’ is a very true saying for any business, including those supplying logistics services. Understanding and adapting to the market situation will drive growth, but playing short term cost reduction games is not the road to glory. Cost reduction games are typically driven by senior management setting KPIs for middle … Read More
Missed deliveries at festive times is a logistics challenge
Over-promising is a problem. ‘Any-time’ buying and ‘free’ delivery sound attractive until there are unhappy customers demanding refunds because gifts did not arrive when expected. Over the Australian summer holiday I have read articles about the challenges in America of delivering parcels in time for the recent Christmas festivities. The two parties involved in the transaction both want delivery of … Read More
Measure your logistics by the right numbers
What gets measured gets managed. I am sure you have read articles about ‘managing by the numbers’ and as one who commenced his career as an industrial engineer, numbers have been a large part of my life. But the question to ask is what are the numbers there to do? In worker incentive schemes that were popular fifty years ago, … Read More