Five Ways to Cut Supply Chain Costs and Improve Efficiency

Earlier this week, I wrote about the ever-present push to reduce costs in the supply chain. Even when chief procurement officers say they’re more interested in product quality or service, cost control remains a top priority.

Cost cutting can be tricky, though. Chief procurement officers and supply chains managers walk a thin line between maintaining quality while reducing expenses. But it is possible to do both, particularly if you focus on being more efficient rather than just cut supply chain costs.

Here are five ways supply chain managers and chief procurement officers are pursing supply chain costs savings:

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Supply Chain Trend: Made in Americas, But Not the USA

Politicians are making political hay this year out of the resourcing trend — but it may be that this trend is less about the USA and more about growth in other areas of America.

It’s true that manufacturing jobs are returning to the USA, but there are serious questions about the impact and strength of this trend. In fact, Bloomberg Businessweek recently reported the resourcing trend is already losing steam because of a global economic slowdown and the resulting weakened demand for US goods.

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As 2012 Draws To A Close…..

2012 turned out to be a great year for supply chains.  Transportation was obtainable, costs to serve remained low, inventory reductions continued to occur, customers became a little happier with their suppliers and all supply chain organizations became very used to the “once in a lifetime” supply disruptions that occur once every quarter.  What will be more interesting is how 2013 will progress but one aspect of 2012 will absolutely continue into 2013

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How Technology Can Support Complex, Agile Distribution Centers

Today’s distribution centers are key to a successful supply chain management strategy, requiring a balance between storage and product movement that can be tricky to achieve in today’s on-demand environment, according to a logistics and supply chain management expert.

In a recent Digital Supply Chain column, Thomas Chanel, founder and CEO of CATTAN Services Group, points out today’s distribution centers are more complex than ever, yet companies expect an unprecedented level of agility and responsiveness.

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