Thursday, April 10, 2014

GCC AND LOGISTICS RANKINGS

Here are the World Bank Logistics Performance Index scores and rankings for the 6 countries of the GCC.  WB ranks 160 countries. Interesting too as there are investment efforts and plans to be logistics hubs.  There are needs for improvement and for competitive differentiation.




GCC--World Bank
LPI
2007
Score/Rank
2010 
Score/Rank
2012
Score/Rank
2014
Score/Rank
Bahrain
3.15/36
3.37/32
3.05/48
3.08/52
Kuwait
2.99/44
3.28/36
2.83/70
3.01/56
Oman
2.92/48
2.84/60
2.89/62
3.00/59
Qatar
2.98/46
2.95/55
3.32/33
3.52/29
Saudi Arabia
3.02/41
3.22/40
3.18/37
3.15/49
United Arab           Emirates
3.73/20
3.63/24
3.78/17
3.54/27

GRANULAR AND SUPPLY CHAINS AND 3PLs

Granularity identification can be an effective tool for supply chains and for 3PLs.
 
 

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

These two quotes seem to fit many supply chains and the company execs--
Nothing can come of nothing
Doing the same thing over and over and expecting a different result.

Tuesday, April 8, 2014

SUPPLY CHAIN CYCLE TIME

Long, uncontrolled cycle time is the enemy of supply chain performance. Compress cycle time for improved operations and reduced costs.

SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT

How much of SCM work is reactionary that draws and distracts attention and resources from accomplishing what should be done?

Monday, April 7, 2014

STRATEGY FOR 3PLs AND LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDERS

Read about strategy and execution for 3PLs and Logistics Service Providers--




CONTAINER CHASSIS

FROM AMERICAN SHIPPER--
MOL to stop supplying chassis for store-door moves
PREMIUM
Monday, April 07, 2014
MOL (America) said it will stop supplying chassis for store-door moves (where a container is delivered to a consignee or shipper's place of business rather than a marine terminal) effective May 1.
In an advisory to customers, MOL said, "truck carriers will be responsible for making their own arrangements to use proper, road legal chassis equipment when picking up and delivering MOL containers."
It said it believes drayage companies, "will be able to achieve more efficient use of the chassis than under the traditional approach used in the United States."
In recent years, many other container carriers have made similar changes in order to reduce expenses and liabilities associated with maintaining chassis.
MOL said that in order to make the change in policy "a success for our customers as well as truck carriers, MOL will introduce a billing process that rewards truck carriers that can pick up and deliver containers promptly to MOL customers.
"MOL will accept an equipment return surcharge from truck carriers for all import/export store-door containers being picked up or delivered to MOL customers, as well as an ERS when performing empty container reposition activity. The ERS amount is determined by the geographic region in which the equipment was moved, and by type: import/export/empty."

Saturday, April 5, 2014

3PL / LOGISTICS SERVICE PROVIDER BUSINESS DEVELOPMENT

For 3PLs and logistics service providers, is there a relationship between business gained with low price bids and customer retention problems?

INVENTORY MANAGEMENT

Many firms do not know their inventory turns, in total, by ABC, by product category, by market segment or other measure.  And they have too much inventory.

SUPPLY CHAIN CYCLE TIME COMPRESSION

Long and variable time are the biggest enemies of #SupplyChains and company margins. Cycle time compression should be mandatory.




OMAN LOGISTICS HUB

Interesting project.  How will it overcome the position of the UAE as the apparent logistics hub for the GCC?  http://main.omanobserver.om/?p=68880