Pallet-level monitoring enables a more intelligent approach to distribution—Intelligent distribution and FEFO inventory management (First Expired, First Out)—as well as providing the data needed to optimize end-to-end processes for maximum shelf life. Implementing these approaches can cut losses in half for retailers and growers.
Risk, Compliance, Sustainability
Risk and compliance-related topics, including supply chain risk, supply chain security, regulatory and company policy compliance, ESG/sustainability
Environmental Markets – Part One
Supply chain leaders are in a position to lobby for or influence public policies. What policy is in their best interest when dealing with ‘tragedy of the commons’ issues, such as pollution or resource depletion? Is it better to maintain business as usual/laissez-faire, support regulation, or advocate for market-based solutions? Here we explore the tradeoffs.
Scenario Planning for Supply Chain Risk Management – Part Two
We examine how to weigh and prioritize multiple supply chain risk mitigation options and the use of monitoring and triggers to guide level-headed decision making during a crisis, using the risk of a China-Taiwan-US war as an example. We also look at various other examples of high-uncertainty risks where our framework could be usefully applied.
Carbon-Offset LNG: Africa’s Transitional Fuel
Carbon-Offset LNG provides a transition fuel to help the world meet carbon emissions reduction goals, especially in the near-term. Africa has a combination of substantial natural gas reserves and opportunities for legitimate large-scale carbon-offset projects, such as massive afforestation efforts across the entire Sahel.
Scenario Planning for Supply Chain Risk Management—Part One
The importance of effective supply chain risk management intensifies with each new wave of disruptions. A key strategy deserving more attention is Scenario Planning for Strategic Supply Chain Risk Management.
The Value of Foresight: Generating Value Through Integrated Predictive Maintenance
A holistic, integrated approach to predictive maintenance incorporates data, systems, and human expertise from various functions including engineering, manufacturing, field service, logistics, supply chain, HR, finance, and maintenance.
Retails’ Climate Change Responsibility – Part Two: Diverse Strategies for Rapidly Reducing Transportation Emissions
We examine strategies and techniques for making near-term reductions to carbon emissions from transportation, such as improving driving behavior and vehicle performance, minimizing and optimizing returns, increasing first-attempt delivery rates, consolidation and mix-mode strategies, integrating private fleet with purchased transportation, and forecast accuracy and inventory optimization for hyperlocal distribution.
It’s Late. Do You Know Where Your Supply Chain Is?
The Russo-Ukrainian war has put into focus the question of the proper role for responsible enterprises in response to abuses by authoritarian regimes. Here we look at some of the challenges and solutions to managing an ethical supply chain.
Thriving in the Age of Uncertainty – Part Three
We explore various strategies for obtaining supply chain resilience, including mapping and monitoring the multi-tier supply chain, the use of supply chain finance, and building adaptability into physical infrastructure, systems, processes, and people.
Thriving in the Age of Uncertainty – Part Two
We explain specific advanced tools and practices for dealing with demand-supply uncertainty, including probable forecasting, capacity and consumption commitment contracts, real options as risk mitigation strategies, and hedging strategies.
Thriving in the Age of Uncertainty – Part One
The past two years have brought nearly uninterrupted volatility, disruption, and uncertainty, which we expect to continue for the foreseeable future. How individuals and companies deal with this ongoing unpredictability will determine their mental, physical, and financial health in 2022 and beyond. Here we provide a framework for companies to thrive in this new age of uncertainty.