The scope of Supply Chains and operational disciplines

Roger OakdenLogistics Management, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Supply Chains connected

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

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

An LSP can provide a key to effectiveness

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

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Logistics Management, Procurement

What are the options for my shipment

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

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

Freight forwarding

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

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

Container shipping movements

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