Supply chain managers face a marketplace in flux. Working with an experienced logistics provider can deliver the infrastructure and resources they need to add value to their operation.
For supply chain managers and other shipping and logistics insiders, it’s clear that the marketplace is evolving — and evolving quickly. Between shifting consumer behavior, game-changing logistics technologies, and other transformative market forces, effectively managing supply chains to deliver on customer expectations and control costs is becoming more and more challenging.
However, supply chain managers know how to adapt, and they understand the importance of making these transformative forces work for their operations. In fact, a recent industry survey found that 60% of respondents think that improving their operational efficiency and effectiveness is the best way to stay relevant in the marketplace. Following that, 22% want to be the disruptors and dramatically reimagine the way their supply chains operate while 18% are working on being resilient and adapting to market disruptions.
Whatever strategy supply chain managers take in order to lead their teams through the shipping and logistics sector, it’s critical that they have the infrastructure and resources necessary to make these changes work for them. By working with an experienced logistics provider with institutional knowledge and existing infrastructure in place, they can hit the ground running and add value to their operation in these three key ways.
1. Improving Customer Service Through Greater Supply Chain Visibility
Streamlined, efficient supply chains are the best foundation for long-term business development. Accordingly, delivering on customer expectations and controlling costs for consumers and businesses alike are key goals for supply chain management, but realizing them is easier said than done. To that end, an Accenture study found that 70% of industry professionals expect that supply chain management will be a determining factor in improving customer service.
This means that creating a better experience for customers and other partners depends on gaining end-to-end visibility over your entire supply chain. By doing so, businesses can offer their customers with critical insights into delivery timelines, help them plan ahead if there are any supply chain disruptions, and streamline work with industry partners who rely on that supply chain data.
2. Streamlining Critical Supply Chain Bottlenecks with Transportation Management
As supply chain managers contend with rising transportation prices and a volatile shipping landscape, they need to find ways to control costs so that they’re not passed on to their customers or absorbed by their own operation. With the cost of shipping for businesses hitting record highs, it’s up to supply chain managers to find cost-effective solutions that keep overhead from getting out of hand.
Transportation management systems (TMS) are an essential piece of this puzzle, providing greater insights into the status of orders, the movement of delivery vehicles, and other critical business data — all of which can help managers better understand how their supply chain operates in real-time. Industry research has even found that using the right TMS can help businesses save an average of 8% on their total freight costs. In an industry with tight margins, these savings present a valuable opportunity to lower costs for customers and re-invest in your supply chain.
3. Investing in Industry-Leading Warehouse Technology
As supply chain managers look for ways to improve their operational efficiency and their ability to adapt in the market, warehouse, and inventory management tools have gone from perks to necessities. These tools can help supply chain professionals monitor consumer behavior, make sure stock levels are maintained properly and use space as efficiently as possible.
These benefits are backed up by industry research. By effectively using technology in the warehouse, studies have shown that companies can boost productivity by 25%, improve space usage by 20%, and increase stock use efficiency by 30%. With only 18% of small and mid-sized businesses (SMBs) using these kinds of tools, there’s a unique opportunity to gain a competitive edge by investing in it sooner rather than later.
Finding the Best Logistics Provider for Your Supply Chain
By investing in the latest supply chain technology available and by adapting to proven industry trends, supply chain managers can deliver on customer expectations, control costs, and boost their operation’s ROI. However, not all companies have the resources on hand to make the kind of capital expenditures necessary to bring this technology in-house. Instead, they should consider working with an experienced logistics provider with the institutional knowledge and available infrastructure to meet their evolving supply chain needs.
With two-plus decades of experience in the shipping and logistics industry, Primary Freight has the resources supply chain managers need to update their operation and keep pace with market changes. Our award-winning team of logistics experts can help you with every aspect of supply chain success, from managing ocean and air freight to improving warehousing and fulfillment operations. No matter the size of your business or your industry, Primary Freight has the expertise necessary to transform your supply chain management strategy.
If you’d like to learn more about how Primary Freight’s award-winning shipping services, contact us today at (800)-635-0013.