The 7 Principles of Supply Chain Management

The most requested article in the 10-year history of Supply Chain Management Review was one that appeared in our very first issue in the spring of 1997. Written by experts from the respected Logistics practice of Andersen Consulting (now Accenture), "The Seven Principles of Supply Chain Management," layed out a clear and compelling case for excellence in supply chain management. The insights provided here remain remarkably fresh ten years later.

By David L. Anderson, Frank F. Britt, and Donavon J. Favre -- Supply Chain Management Review, 4/1/2007

*Principle 1: Segment customers based on the service needs of distinct groups and adapt the supply chain to serve these segments profitably.

*Principle 2: Customize the logistics network to the service requirements and profitability of customer segments.

*Principle 3: Listen to market signals and align demand planning accordingly across the supply chain, ensuring consistent forecasts and optimal resource allocation.

*Principle 4: Differentiate product closer to the customer and speed conversion across the supply chain.

*Principle 5: Manage sources of supply strategically to reduce the total cost of owning materials and services.

*Principle 6: Develop a supply chain-wide technology strategy that supports multiple levels of decision making and gives a clear view of the flow of products, services, and information.

*Principle 7: Adopt channel-spanning performance measures to gauge collective success in reaching the end-user effectively and efficiently.

Bonded Logistics Blog

Bonded Logistics has been focused on warehousing and distribution in the Charlotte, N.C., market since 1972. Since modest beginnings in a 15,000-square-foot, two-story brick facility, Bonded has steadily grown to become one of the largest distribution entities in the area. The scope of operations currently includes nine locations and about 1 million square feet of warehousing, distribution, packaging and transportation-related space.

Bonded Logistics opened a new warehousing facility on June 3rd, 2005. The new facility has a capacity of 97,500 square feet and has temperature control as well as ambient storage to meet variable customers needs. The new facility manager is Bob Siezaga and the facility is located in Charlotte, NC.

Find out more on the Bonded Logistics blog.

Quality Warehouse Blog

Quality Warehouse operates in the New York / New Jersey piers on a daily basis providing export and import services to Philidelphia Piers, and other locations. We have concurrences with all the steamship lines and we are a member of the Uniform Intermodal Interchange Agreement (UIIA). We strip, stuff, or transload containers. Quality Warehouse transports less container loads (LCL) to container freight stations in New Jersey daily.

Find more about Quality Warehouse & Distribution at their Import and Export Logistics Blog.

What is WMS (Warehouse Management Software)

This day in age many logistics companies are shopping for the best available software at the best prices. So what is Warehouse Management Software and how can it help your business?

The right software always depends on your specific needs, but there is always a basic outline:

- higher profit margins
- customer loyalty
- reducing costs
- increasing volume

Warehouse Management Software is exactly what it says. Software that manages your warehouse operations. The software helps reduce order times, produce higher-volume, reduce labor costs and helps control inventory.

Tecsys provides the perfect software for any type of business when it comes to managing your warehouse.

Are You A Logistics Guru?

As we begin to leave 2008 behind the auto markets are in a slump, financial institutions are fighting for a bailout, (not to beat a dead horse)  but in all the economy is just plain awful.  Lets hope in 2009 there will be some bounce back.

Since freight transportation volumes have been down for the past three consecutive years, its official,  the "transportation peak season" is a thing of the past.  Well I came across this logistics quiz designed to take you back a year in logistics and test your knowledge in various sections of the logistics industry. Take this logistics quiz to see if you are Logistics Guru who is prepared for 2009.   Credit be given to logisticsmanagment.com for creating this great logistics quiz.  

For grins...

The Good Old Days....

Remember back when the cost of a gallon of gas was pocket change. Well in Wisconsin Rapids, Wisconsin, people were filling their tanks for 35 cents.

Yes, its true 35 cents! A Citgo gas station advertised their "Premium"gas for $3.43 but the pump cost read $0.349 a gallon. I'm sure it was a wild circus waiting in line for the pumps. But to bad it lasted only for 90 minutes. Read the rest of the story here :

Stupid Cheap Gas

Let me know if you have stumbled upon stupid cheap gas.

Totally irrelevant but funny....

Improving The US Infrastructure

The nation’s roads, bridges, airports, ports, intermodal links and waterways are deteriorating to an embarrassing point where it threatens U.S. competitiveness. This is just one of the many domestic problems the next president will have to face. Regardless of who's elected, if the economy is to grow, you need reliable transportation.

I believe that expansion of our transportation infrastructure should be one of the top domestic priorities. The nation hasn't added a new runway at any significant airport since Denver International Airport opened in 1995. This issue isn't a widely discussed issue in the news due to the economy and election. But who ever is elected as the next president, should realize that growth in the economy isn't possible with out improving the infrastructure that delivers it.