Value Network replaces Supply Network – fact or fiction

Roger OakdenLogistics Management, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Circular economy

Value Network – the in term. To get readers’ attention on either the screen or page, it helps if the topic being written about appears to be ‘new’. Using the term Value Network is an example, with it gaining favour in articles and commentary that discuss availability of goods and services for customers and consumers. Is this because authors are tired … Read More

Logisticians pleased with fall in freight rates – maybe

Roger OakdenGlobal Logistics, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Container Terminals at Night

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

Build your inventory plan for a profitable business

Roger OakdenLogistics Management, Logistics Planning, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Inventory balances supply and demand - Part 3

Setting inventory policy. A Supply Chain manager will view performance across three aspects at the inventory policy level: customer service levels by inventory category/class; inventory turnover rate and the resulting operating profit. If this is done, inventory will not have to be managed against a financial target established in the annual budget. Instead, the inventory plan will be based on … Read More

Inventory policy is built on the Inventory structure

Roger OakdenLogistics Management, Logistics Planning, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Inventory balances supply and demand - Part 2

Building the inventory profile. Structuring inventory provides the means to establish an inventory policy for your organisation – based on facts, rather than opinions. The inventory policy is the basis for calculating the amount of inventory the organisation needs to service its customers. An inventory policy allows the CEO and accountant to work with a calculated level of inventory, so … Read More

Inventory is your critical buffer in supply chains

Roger OakdenLogistics Management, Logistics Planning, Procurement, Supply Chains & Supply Networks

Inventory balances supply and demand - Part 1

Inventory balances sales and supply. To become more competitive, management continue to make their organisations more efficient. But this has made their Supply Chains more complex. These competitive initiatives have ranged across: increased item (SKU) numbers, additional sales channels, quicker delivery times, outsourcing, global sourcing and low cost country sourcing. As complexity has increased, the processes and IT applications used to … Read More