Supply Chain Best Practices: Companies and Processes.
In the ever-evolving world of supply chain management, the top companies are setting the standard by embracing innovative technologies, refining processes, and adopting sustainable practices. Below, we dive deeper into the supply chain best practices of the top companies, exploring how they lead the way in efficiency, risk management, technology integration, and sustainability.
Company Supply Chain Best Practices
1. Amazon
- Best Practice: Automation & AI in Fulfillment Centers
- Details: Amazon revolutionized its supply chain by implementing robotics (e.g., Kiva robots) and AI-driven algorithms to optimize order fulfillment, reduce processing times, and minimize errors. Machine learning forecasts demand and optimizes warehouse placement, while autonomous vehicles and drones are being tested for last-mile delivery. Their use of big data provides insights into customer behavior, enabling highly accurate demand planning.
- Impact: Faster processing, reduced operational costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.
2. Walmart
- Best Practice: Vendor-Managed Inventory (VMI) & Cross-Docking
- Details: Walmart’s VMI strategy involves sharing real-time inventory data with suppliers, enabling them to manage inventory levels directly. Their use of cross-docking (transferring products directly from inbound to outbound transport) minimizes storage times, reduces costs, and keeps products flowing efficiently across the supply chain. Walmart also integrates RFID technology to track inventory and improve supply chain visibility.
- Impact: Reduced stockouts, minimized inventory carrying costs, and faster product turnover.
3. Apple
- Best Practice: Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory & Supplier Relationship Management
- Details: Apple employs JIT inventory to minimize excess stock and storage costs. Their relationships with suppliers are characterized by long-term contracts, detailed forecasting, and exclusive component deals. Apple’s focus on tight integration with suppliers ensures that components like chips, screens, and processors are available exactly when needed, without overproduction. Apple also uses advanced analytics to predict demand and optimize production schedules.
- Impact: Reduced lead times, lower inventory costs, and agile production management.
4. Toyota
- Best Practice: Lean Manufacturing & JIT
- Details: Toyota’s lean manufacturing principles, including Kaizen (continuous improvement) and the Kanban system, drive efficiency at every stage of production. Toyota pioneered the Just-in-Time (JIT) approach, which minimizes inventory and ensures that parts arrive only when they are needed. This reduces waste and increases flexibility. The company also practices total quality management (TQM), empowering employees to contribute to process improvement.
- Impact: High-quality production, minimal waste, and improved responsiveness to market changes.
5. Nike
- Best Practice: Demand Forecasting & Sourcing Diversification
- Details: Nike leverages advanced demand forecasting and big data analytics to predict consumer preferences and optimize production schedules. They use sourcing diversification to mitigate risks related to regional disruptions. Nike maintains a flexible supply chain, allowing for rapid shifts in manufacturing locations based on global events or changes in demand. They also focus on sustainable manufacturing, using recycled materials in their products and optimizing transportation for reduced carbon emissions.
- Impact: Lower risk of stockouts, reduced supply chain disruptions, and improved sustainability metrics.
6. Unilever
- Best Practice: Sustainable Sourcing & Transparency
- Details: Unilever integrates sustainability into every aspect of its supply chain, including ethically sourcing raw materials like palm oil, tea, and cocoa. They ensure that these materials are produced using environmentally friendly practices and support local communities. Transparency is a key focus; Unilever shares its supply chain data with both customers and stakeholders, ensuring accountability. Their Sustainable Living Plan aligns environmental goals with business objectives, such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions and water use.
- Impact: Strengthened brand reputation, compliance with ethical standards, and reduced environmental impact.
7. Dell Technologies
- Best Practice: Build-to-Order Model & Lean Supply Chain
- Details: Dell’s build-to-order model eliminates the need for excessive inventory. They use real-time supply chain visibility and demand-driven production to manufacture products based on actual customer orders, rather than forecasting. By utilizing lean practices, Dell reduces waste and improves operational efficiency. Dell’s strong supplier relationships help ensure high-quality components are available just when needed, with minimal lead times.
- Impact: Reduced inventory costs, faster customer delivery, and leaner operations.
8. Maersk
- Best Practice: End-to-End Logistics & Digitalization
- Details: Maersk offers integrated supply chain solutions that include sea freight, land transportation, and warehousing. They leverage blockchain technology to enhance transparency in logistics and improve the tracking of goods across the supply chain. Maersk also uses big data analytics to optimize shipping routes and reduce fuel consumption, enhancing operational efficiency. Their digitalization strategy includes the development of an online platform for real-time supply chain visibility.
- Impact: Increased efficiency, lower shipping costs, and improved tracking of goods in transit.
9. Procter & Gamble (P&G)
- Best Practice: Collaborative Supply Chain & Demand-Driven Approach
- Details: P&G implements a collaborative forecasting system with suppliers and retailers to predict consumer demand more accurately. This enables better alignment of production schedules with actual sales. They focus on a demand-driven supply chain, adjusting supply levels based on real-time market data. P&G is also committed to sustainability, working towards reducing waste and improving energy efficiency across their supply chain.
- Impact: Improved supply chain alignment, lower inventory costs, and enhanced sustainability.
10. Caterpillar
- Best Practice: Global Sourcing & Risk Management
- Details: Caterpillar sources parts and materials from around the world, balancing cost efficiency with risk mitigation. Their risk management practices involve assessing geopolitical, environmental, and economic risks to their supply base. Caterpillar also diversifies its supplier network to reduce dependency on a single source and ensures that all suppliers comply with ethical standards. Advanced supply chain analytics help them predict potential disruptions and plan alternatives.
- Impact: Reduced supply chain vulnerabilities, enhanced supplier reliability, and cost-effective sourcing.
11. BMW
- Best Practice: Flexible Manufacturing & Real-Time Data
- Details: BMW’s flexible manufacturing system allows them to quickly adapt production lines to meet changes in consumer demand. They use real-time data from their manufacturing plants to adjust operations, ensuring that the right parts are available when needed. BMW also embraces sustainable production methods, including energy-efficient factories and a focus on reducing CO2 emissions.
- Impact: Faster time-to-market, better resource utilization, and reduced environmental impact.
12. McDonald’s
- Best Practice: Supplier Collaboration & Efficiency
- Details: McDonald’s maintains close partnerships with suppliers to ensure product consistency and high quality. They use lean processes to streamline their supply chain, reducing waste and ensuring timely delivery of ingredients. The company focuses on local sourcing for fresh products while ensuring that suppliers meet sustainability standards.
- Impact: Improved food quality, reduced supply chain waste, and faster product delivery.
13. Zara (Inditex)
- Best Practice: Fast Fashion & Agile Supply Chain
- Details: Zara’s agile supply chain enables them to design, manufacture, and distribute new fashion trends to stores within a few weeks. They use real-time data from store managers and customers to quickly adjust their production schedules, ensuring that the right products are available in the right locations. Zara also uses just-in-time inventory to minimize stock while maintaining high product availability.
- Impact: Fast response to market trends, minimized inventory costs, and higher customer satisfaction.
14. Ford Motor Company
- Best Practice: Collaborative Supplier Relationships & Synchronized Production
- Details: Ford builds strong relationships with its suppliers, ensuring that parts are delivered on time and of high quality. They use synchronized production schedules to align the delivery of components with vehicle manufacturing needs. Ford is also focusing on electric vehicle (EV) production, adapting its supply chain to support EV battery sourcing and sustainable materials.
- Impact: Improved production timelines, better quality control, and increased focus on sustainability.
15. Tesla
- Best Practice: Vertical Integration & Agile Manufacturing
- Details: Tesla is known for its vertical integration, producing many key components, including batteries and electric drive systems, in-house. This reduces reliance on external suppliers and enhances quality control. Tesla also uses agile manufacturing techniques to respond quickly to changes in production needs and demand for new models, such as the Model 3 and Cybertruck.
- Impact: Lower production costs, higher control over quality, and faster time-to-market for new products.
16. Costco
- Best Practice: Efficient Inventory Management & Bulk Purchasing
- Details: Costco uses a bulk purchasing model, allowing them to take advantage of economies of scale and pass savings onto customers. They have a highly efficient inventory management system, ensuring that products are restocked quickly without overstocking. Costco also focuses on operational simplicity by streamlining supply chain operations and limiting the number of SKUs (stock-keeping units) offered.
- Impact: Reduced inventory costs, increased product turnover, and higher operational efficiency.
17. Target
- Best Practice: Advanced Analytics and Predictive Tools
- Details: Target uses predictive analytics and real-time data to forecast demand, optimize inventory, and improve supply chain visibility. They also employ machine learning models to analyze historical sales data and identify emerging trends, which helps align inventory with customer needs.
- Impact: More accurate demand forecasting, reduced stockouts, and improved customer satisfaction.
18. Home Depot
- Best Practice: Supply Chain Resilience & Vendor Partnerships
- Details: Home Depot focuses on building resilience into its supply chain by diversifying suppliers and developing strong partnerships with key vendors. They use advanced forecasting techniques to plan for seasonal peaks and ensure adequate stock levels for popular items. Home Depot also focuses on efficient distribution, using both physical and digital platforms to reach customers.
- Impact: Improved product availability, faster response times, and reduced risk of supply chain disruptions.
19. Johnson & Johnson
- Best Practice: Integrated Supply Chain & Risk Mitigation
- Details: Johnson & Johnson integrates its supply chain operations, connecting procurement, manufacturing, and logistics seamlessly. They use advanced analytics to predict demand and manage inventory. Their risk mitigation strategies include diversifying suppliers and sourcing from multiple regions to minimize the impact of disruptions such as natural disasters or geopolitical instability.
- Impact: Enhanced supply chain flexibility, lower risks, and optimized operations.
20. Shell
- Best Practice: Sustainable Logistics & Supplier Collaboration
- Details: Shell focuses on eco-friendly logistics practices, including optimizing transportation routes to reduce emissions and using alternative fuels in their supply chain. They work closely with suppliers to ensure that materials are sourced sustainably and that their logistics partners adhere to sustainability standards.
- Impact: Reduced carbon footprint, improved sustainability, and stronger supplier relationships.
Supply Chain Process Best Practices
1. Demand Planning & Forecasting
- Use Data Analytics: Utilize historical data, AI, and machine learning to predict future demand more accurately.
- Collaborate with Sales & Marketing: Align demand forecasts with marketing campaigns, seasonal changes, and sales initiatives.
- Leverage Multi-Channel Data: Combine internal data (sales, inventory) with external data (market trends, competitor performance) for a complete picture.
2. Inventory Management
- Just-in-Time (JIT) Inventory: Minimize inventory holding costs by receiving goods only when needed in production.
- ABC Analysis: Classify inventory into A (high-value, low-volume), B (moderate value/volume), and C (low-value, high-volume) categories for priority management.
- Automate Replenishment: Use automated systems to trigger restocks when stock levels hit predefined thresholds.
3. Supplier Relationship Management
- Diversify Supplier Base: Avoid dependency on a single supplier for critical components by maintaining multiple reliable suppliers.
- Build Long-Term Relationships: Foster communication and collaboration with suppliers for mutual benefits like improved terms and innovation.
- Performance Metrics: Use KPIs to assess supplier performance, including on-time delivery, quality, and cost.
4. Procurement & Purchasing
- Strategic Sourcing: Focus on value rather than cost alone—consider factors like supplier reliability, lead times, and quality.
- Negotiate Contracts: Establish clear terms for pricing, delivery, and penalties to minimize disruptions.
- Continuous Supplier Evaluation: Regularly evaluate supplier performance to maintain quality and consistency.
5. Logistics & Transportation
- Optimize Routes & Load Planning: Use route optimization software to reduce transportation costs and delivery times.
- Third-Party Logistics (3PL): Consider using 3PL providers for flexibility, scalability, and specialized logistics expertise.
- Track Shipments in Real-Time: Use IoT-enabled tracking and visibility systems to monitor shipments throughout the supply chain.
6. Warehousing & Distribution
- Use Automation & Robotics: Implement Automated Guided Vehicles (AGVs), robots, and other technologies for faster and more accurate order fulfillment.
- Cross-Docking: Reduce handling time by unloading materials directly from inbound to outbound transport without storing them in the warehouse.
- Optimize Layouts: Design warehouse layouts that reduce travel time, such as placing high-demand items closer to shipping areas.
7. Quality Control
- Establish Clear Standards: Define quality standards for suppliers and internal processes to ensure consistency.
- Monitor KPIs: Track defect rates, returns, and production stoppages to identify potential quality issues early.
- Continuous Improvement: Use Six Sigma, Total Quality Management (TQM), or Lean principles to continuously improve quality processes.
8. Technology Integration
- ERP & SCM Systems: Implement an integrated Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) system to enhance visibility and data sharing across departments.
- Cloud-Based Solutions: Use cloud solutions for real-time updates, easier collaboration, and scalability.
- Blockchain: Explore blockchain for improved traceability and security across the supply chain, especially in industries like food and pharmaceuticals.
9. Risk Management
- Identify Risks: Regularly assess potential risks in the supply chain (e.g., geopolitical, environmental, economic).
- Create Contingency Plans: Develop backup plans for critical supply chain elements, such as alternative suppliers or transportation routes.
- Monitor Supply Chain Health: Use predictive analytics to spot potential risks and disruptions early.
10. Sustainability & Ethical Practices
- Source Responsibly: Choose suppliers that follow ethical practices, such as fair labor standards and sustainable production methods.
- Carbon Footprint Reduction: Work towards minimizing the environmental impact by optimizing transportation, reducing waste, and using sustainable packaging.
- Circular Supply Chain: Consider implementing circular economy principles by focusing on product lifecycle management, recycling, and reusing materials.
11. Customer Relationship Management
- Accurate Order Fulfillment: Ensure that products are delivered on time and meet customer expectations for quality and quantity.
- Real-Time Customer Communication: Provide customers with real-time updates on order status and any disruptions.
- Returns & Reverse Logistics: Implement an efficient process for managing returns and refurbishing or recycling products.
12. Performance Monitoring & Continuous Improvement
- Key Performance Indicators (KPIs): Measure and track performance in areas like delivery speed, order accuracy, customer satisfaction, and cost efficiency.
- Regular Audits: Conduct regular audits to ensure compliance with standards and identify improvement opportunities.
- Feedback Loops: Gather input from employees, customers, and suppliers to continuously enhance processes and outcomes.
Information on Top Supply Chain Companies
“The supply chain stuff is really trick.” ~Elon Musk, CEO of SpaceX and Tesla.
Resources on the Tesla Supply Chain
- Battery SCM Problem – Tesla.
- Frightening Economics Of The Tesla Semi.
- HOW IT’S MADE: Tesla SCM Gigafactory.
- How Tesla Builds Cars So Fast.
- Manufacturing Process of Model S in Tesla Factory.
- Tesla Logistics Empire Worth Trillions.
- This is Elon Musk’s key to Tesla’s future: GIGAFACTORY
- Top 10 Reasons for Tesla’s Highly Effective Supply Chain.
How Tesla Builds Cars So Fast
How Tesla Outsmarted The Chip Shortage.
Why Elon Musk Says the Optimus Tesla Bot Is More Important Than Tesla Vehicles!
“All businesses need to be young forever. If your customer base ages with you, you’re Woolworth’s.” ~Jeff Bezos, founder and CEO Amazon. Good quote to understand why Amazon is always improving and pushing innovations at all levels of the company.
Resources on the Amazon Supply Chain
- Amazon and Walmart Supply Chain Similarities.
- Exclusive Interview with Jeff Bezos – Founder & CEO of Amazon.com.
- How Amazon is Disrupting the Grocery Business.
- How Generative AI is Speeding Up Amazon Delivery.
- Interview: Amazon CEO Jeff Bezos.
- Jeff Bezos Amazon story.
- Jeff Bezos on Amazon Business Strategy – How They Succeed and Thrive in Everything.
- Known for Supply Chain: Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Toyota.
- Returns – Amazon Reverse Logistics
- The Best Jeff Bezos Quotes: Amazon CEO.
- Top Retail Companies Known for Supply Chain.
Why Walmart And Alphabet Are Beating Amazon In Drone Delivery
Behind the scenes of an Amazon warehouse
Amazon vs Walmart: How the Giants Look to Each Other to Best Each Other.
“The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people’s creativity. People don’t go to Toyota to ‘work’ they go there to ‘think’.” ~Taiichi Ohno, father of the Toyota Production System
Resources on the Toyota Supply Chain
- Collection of Quotes about the Toyota Production System.
- Great Collection of Quotes about the Toyota Production System
- How Toyota Changed Manufacturing – Lean Thinking.
- Just in Time by Toyota: The Smartest Production System in The World.
- Known for Supply Chain: Amazon, Apple, Walmart, Toyota.
- Lean vs Kaizen – The foundations of the Total Production System and Continuous improvement.
- Toyota Way–‘The 14 Principles of the Toyota Way’.
- Toyota SCM.
- Toyota vs Tesla – Supply Chain
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“We care about every worker in our worldwide supply chain… What we will not do – and never have done – is stand still or turn a blind eye to problems in our supply chain. On this you have my word.” ~Tim Cook. Tim Cook is the current CEO of Apple. Highly encourage people to research Tim Cook and what he did to make the Apple supply chain one of the best in the world.
Resources on the Apple Supply Chain
- A close look at Apple’s Supply Chain – supplier conditions and Apple’s Top Suppliers
- Apple Steve Jobs The Crazy Ones.
- Apple Supply Chain Quotes and Blogs.
- CEO advice from the leaders of Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Walmart…
- Exclusive interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook.
- How Apple’s Inventory Management is So Lean
- Supply Chain Expert, Apple CEO Tim Cook
- The Story of Steve Jobs and Tim Cook You Didn’t Know About
Apple’s Supply Chain Issues Could Cost $2 Billion.
Logistics of Apple Explained
Exclusive interview with Apple CEO Tim Cook
Simple beats complex. Steve Jobs has a great quote that goes well with what Warren Buffett is saying below. “Simple can be harder than complex: You have to work hard to get your thinking clean to make it simple. But it’s worth it in the end because once you get there, you can move mountains.” ~Steve Jobs
“The goal as a company is to have customer service that is not just the best but legendary.” ~Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. Sam Walton did amazing things with the Walmart supply chain. The goal was legendary service and much of that was done because of SCM innovations.
Resources on the Walmart Supply Chain
- Amazon and Walmart Supply Chain Similarities.
- Can Walmart Catch Amazon In E-commerce?
- Doug McMillon Walmart CEO Quotes
- Sam Walton and Jeff Bezos Leadership and SCM Quotes.
- Walmart ecommerce.
- Walmart Grocery Business Is Beating Everyone.
- Walmart using AI to streamline organization.
- Why Walmart has a Great Supply Chain.
- Why Amazon, Walmart, UPS and Others Are Filling Warehouses Along the Arizona 303 Highway.
Can Walmart Catch Amazon In E-commerce?
How Alibaba Plans to Take on Walmart in China
CEO advice from the leaders of Alibaba, Amazon, Apple, Tesla, Walmart…
“Celebrate your successes. Find some humor in your failures. Don’t take yourself so seriously. Loosen up, and everybody around you will loosen up. Have fun. Show enthusiasm – always.” ~Sam Walton.
“Strategic sourcing in the simplest terms – leveraging all resources to get the best value for the company.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. The procurement organization can save a company millions of dollars.
Resources on Supplier Management and Procurement
- Cost Management.
- Getting to Yes – Negotiation Skills.
- Meaningful Involvement in Services Purchasing with Lisa Ellram.
- Negotiation Skills.*
- Negotiation – from Stanford Graduate School of Business.*
- Placing a Purchase Order (PO) – Cheat Sheet.
- Procurement Interview Cheat Sheet.
- Procurement vs Purchasing – Cheat Sheet.
- Purchasing and Procurement Differences.
- Supplier Collaboration – Cheat Sheet.
- Supplier Negotiations & TCO Strategies.
- Top 10 Purchasing Mistakes – Cheat Sheet.
- What are common issues that arise in procurement? Facebook discussion.
Procurement Quotes by Top Minds.
What is Order Placement?
How Amazon’s Supply Chain Management Strategy Works?
Resources on Distribution, Fulfillment and Warehousing
- A 360° tour of Ocado’s automated warehouse.
- AGV, ASRS, Warehouse Distribution Automation.
- Amazon’s Robotic Empire: Jeff Bezos’ Smart Warehouses
- Army of logistics robots sort out 200,000 packages a day
- E-Commerce Retailer Doubles Warehouse Capacity with Robotic Goods to Person System
- Inside Amazon’s Smart Warehouse
- Inside A Warehouse Where Thousands Of Robots Pack Groceries.
- Modern Warehouse Automation For the Next Level
- Ocado warehouse robots assemble 50,000 orders in 5 minutes
- Pallet Production – Modern Technology.
- Superpick: The Autonomous Bin Picking, Sorting and Order Fulfillment Solution.
- The Robots Making Your Online Orders Faster.
E-Commerce Retailer Doubles Warehouse Capacity with Robotic Goods to Person System
Introducing Stretch: Robot Warehouse Worker.
Amazing Amazon ROBOTS You Must See.
Transportation Resources
- Autonomous Self Driving Semi Trucks.
- Collection of Self Driving Car Research and Training.
- Container shipping documentary.
- How Overnight Shipping Works – such as UPS, FedEx, DHL.
- IBM and Maersk Demo Blockchain Cross-Border Supply Chain Solution
- Maersk Line: Using the Internet of Things, Data, and Analytics
- Need Shipping and Transport Training? Try these resources.
- Tesla Semi Truck Will Make Billions.
- The Tesla Semi Will Be Tesla’s Most Disruptive Vehicle Yet.
- Top 10 Biggest Ships in The World
- Top 10 Most Advanced Semi Trucks – Autonomous, EV & Hydrogen
- What Will Autonomous Shipping Look Like?
End to End Supply Chain Management Process
How One Company Is Making Self-Driving Trucks A Reality
Supply Chain Collaboration Resources on Social Media
Resources on Last Mile Logistics
- Amazon Delivery Drones – unmanned airship to launch its delivery drones.
- Can delivery drones and robots make it in “the last mile”?
- Delivery Drones – DHL steals UPS thunder.
- Drones are growing into a $100 billion industry.
- How Amazon Delivers On One-Day Shipping – Supply Chain Today
- How Amazon Drone Delivery Will Work
- The Delivery Robot Will Change the Logistics Landscape
- Top 6 Self Driving (Autonomous) Delivery Robots.
Drones are growing into a $100 billion industry
Post COVID-19: Korea Creating Massive Delivery Robot Industry
7 Jobs Replaced By Robots
Resources on Continuous Improvement (Kaizen, lean, Six Sigma…)
- Best Continuous Improvement Quotes.
- Deming’s 14 Points on Total Quality Management – TQM.
- Deming, Juran and Crosby Quality Philosophies
- Gemba Walk: the Path to Continuous Improvement
- John Shook Explains the Lean Transformation Model.
- Kanban explained in 60 seconds.
- Lean Manufacturing – Lean Factory Tour.
- Lean vs Kaizen – The foundations of the Total Productive System and Continuous improvement.
- Process Improvement Quotes and Blogs.
- Process Improvement: Six Sigma & Kaizen Methodologies.
- Pull Systems: Lean Manufacturing
- Six Sigma In Plain English.
- The Kaizen Way: ONE SMALL STEP CAN CHANGE YOUR LIFE
- The Path to Success with Paul Akers: Lean Manufacturing
Toyota Production System Jidoka: Stopping Production, a Call Button and Andon.
How Kaizen Works | Japanese Philosophy for Continuous Improvement.
The Best Continuous Improvement Quotes
SCM Disruption and Risk
- Avoiding Disruptions in Your Supply Chain.
- Bullwhip Effect: How Sudden Demand Increases Affect Supply Chains.
- Coronavirus Accelerates Automation Across Industry.
- COVID-19 Supply Chain Disruption.
- COVID-19: Supply Chain Workers are Putting in Overtime.
- Discuss Coronavirus Impact on Supply Chain.
- From Pandemic Disruption to Global Supply Chain Recovery.
- How Coronavirus Could Slow Down Amazon Deliveries.
- How COVID-19 Is Accelerating Business Automation.
- Pandemic Increases Demand for Self Serve Kiosks.
- SCM and COVID-19:Restructuring and Disruption.
- SCM Risk Management Discussion.
- The Bullwhip Effect 101.
- The Post COVID-19 Supply Chain Management
Supply Chain Challenges: Ports Face Record Backlog
Supply Chain Crisis: 500,000 Containers Stuck At US Ports
Suez Canal Blocked: How the Ship was Freed
“Don’t let the digital supply chain scare you. Big data, IoT, cloud, AI, drones and deep learning are just ways to improve the supply chain.” ~SupplyChainToday.com
Resources on Digital Supply Chain and Industry 4.0.
There will always be new buzzwords to get people hooked on the latest technology. Consultants seem to thrive on buzzwords. Just remember these terms are just new ways to improve the supply chain. If you have been in supply chain for awhile you can think back and remember when B2B was a major buzzword. Think way back when TQM was a major buzzword. Break things down to the basics and it makes everything easier to understand.
- Artificial Intelligence Training.
- Big Data Training.
- Blockchain Training.
- Blogs about Big Data, Blockchain, IoT, Drones, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Deep Learning and Augmented Reality.
- Digital SCM Basics – IoT, Big Data, Machine Learning
- Guide to Artificial Intelligence for Executives
- How I Automated a Supply Chain with Machine Learning, AWS, and Python
- Industry 4.0 Explained Simply
- Internet of Things (IoT) Training.
- SCM Technology Trends.
- What Is Industry 4.0 and How Did We Get Here?
Reaching Industry 4.0 with Artificial Intelligence
IoT Blockchain Convergence – Supply Chain Today
High-tech Production Without People | Industry 4.0
Supply Chain Quotes with Explanations
“If supply chain had an arch enemy it would be called ‘bad communication’.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. When an issue in supply chain arises the cause of it is often bad communication. Think about the last three problems you experienced in supply chain and was bad communication the culprit? Many people may be thinking “I communicated effectively, the person just didn’t listen.” Well, how could communication change so the person would listen correctly?
“1. Increase Visibility 2. Reduce variability. These two activities encompass all layers of supply chain management.” ~SupplyChainToday.com. Increasing visibility and reducing variability are constant factors in supply chain. This helps to improve communication across the supply chain.
“Having high performing suppliers is key to a well run supply chain.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. An organization can have the best people in the world working for them but if you don’t have high performing suppliers your supply chain will suffer. If you did have the best people working for you, wouldn’t they be sure the suppliers were high performing?
“No matter what education you have always keep learning.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. This quote can be used by anyone. You could have an 8th grade education or a phd in SCM, it doesn’t matter. ALWAYS KEEP LEARNING. There is always something to learn and you can learn from anyone. Sometimes the worst boss is the best teacher because you learn what not to do.
“Supply Chain is like nature, it is all around us.” ~Dave Waters. If you don’t think you have supply chain experience you do. If you ever bought a house, a car, something from Craigslist etc, you have procurement experience. There is an example below regarding SCM experience and cooking a meal. This may help people understand why it is easy to say supply chain is all around us.
“Supply Chain Experience: Plan a meal for 10 people. Everyone must get the food they want and you can’t run out. you have a $100 budget. Now plan and execute.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. If you have ever cooked a meal for more than yourself you have some type of supply chain experience. You went to the store and sourced your ingredients “raw material/supplies.” You went home and cooked the meal (manufacturing). You then served it to the guests (delivered).
“Focus on something the customer wants, and then deliver it.” ~Sam Walton, founder of Walmart. Sam Walton knew the customer wanted low prices. The lower the prices the better. The Walmart Supply Chain is how Sam Walton provide the everyday low prices.
“Total Cost of Ownership (TCO): All costs associated with procurement and using the item.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. An example of Total Cost of ownership would be buying an economy car that is $2,000 cheaper than its nearest competitor. But what you soon find out is that you are constantly in the garage having it fixed. Even if the vehicle is under warranty it is still taking up valuable time to take it in and then have to rent a car or borrow one. Then once the warranty is up the $2,000 dollars you saved in price is eaten up by repairs.
“If you can’t explain it simply, you don’t understand it well enough.” ~Albert Einstein. Break things down into simple terms. Some people trying to make everything complex, be the person who tries to make things simple. The Warren Buffett quote goes well with this. Many of the quotes and terms on this page break things down into simple phrases. From there, you can add all the complexities you wish.
“The business schools reward complex behavior more than simple behavior, but simple behavior is more effective.” ~Warren Buffett
“Train your procurement organization well. This investment can save millions of dollars.” ~EverythingSupplyChain.com. If your procurement organization isn’t what it needs to be what are you doing to improve it? Not saying you need to spend millions of dollars in training, just saying you need to be sure the organization is trained. The list of SCM terms on this page is another place to start.
“When you surround an army, leave an outlet free. Do not press a desperate foe too hard.” ~Sun Tzu. Always thought the Art of War was an interesting book to apply to business. This quote applies well when dealing with suppliers. Don’t squeeze suppliers too much. They will either go out of business or refuse to do business with your company.
“Reduce maverick spending: maverick spending is said to be around 10%-20% higher than purchasing from companies with negotiated contracts.” ~SupplyChainToday.com. Maverick spending can cost companies millions of dollars. Besides a higher purchasing cost, the overall total costs increases because these are suppliers you most likely don’t do much business with.
“Great companies know supply chain is a key differentiator to separate them from the competition.” If you look at some of the top SCM companies in on this page you will see they are also some of the top companies in the world. Walmart has been knows for years as the top retailer because of its supply chain. Amazon was able to come along and beat Walmart in ecommerce because of its supply chain. T0yota has always been known for its quality even when the company first entered the American market. People didn’t want a foreign car but the quality was too good to pass up.
Supply Chain Quotes
- “Every breakthrough business idea begins with solving a common problem. The bigger the problem, the bigger the opportunity. I discovered a big one when I took apart an IBM PC. I made two interesting discoveries: The components were all manufactured by other companies, and the system that retailed for $3,000 cost about $600 in parts.” ~ Michael Dell
- “Why not make the work easier and more interesting so that people do not have to sweat? The Toyota style is not to create results by working hard. It is a system that says there is no limit to people’s creativity. People don’t go to Toyota to ‘work’ they go there to ‘think’” ~Taiichi Ohno
- “What we need to do is always lean into the future; when the world changes around you and when it changes against you – what used to be a tailwind is now a head wind – you have to lean into that and figure out what to do because complaining isn’t a strategy.” ~ Jeff Bezos
- “Help young people. Help small guys. Because small guys will be big. Young people will have the seeds you bury in their minds, and when they grow up, they will change the world.” ~ Jack Ma
- “Gentlemen, the officer who doesn’t know his communications and supply as well as his tactics is totally useless.” ~ General George S. Patton
- “Leaders win through logistics. Vision, sure. Strategy, yes. But when you go to war, you need to have both toilet paper and bullets at the right place at the right time. In other words, you must win through superior logistics.” ~ Tom Peters
- “For much of Toyota’s history, we have ensured the quality and reliability of our vehicles by placing a device called an andon cord on every production line – and empowering any team member to halt production if there’s an assembly problem. Only when the problem is resolved does the line begin to move again.” ~ Akio Toyoda, CEO Toyota Motor Company
- “At Wal-Mart, it goes back to Sam Walton and the foundation and business model that we simply operate for less, or everyday low cost. We’re known for operating in a very efficient way and then giving those savings to customers.” ~ Mike Duke, former CEO Walmart
- “All we are doing is looking at the time line, from the moment the customer gives us an order to the point when we collect the cash. And we are reducing the time line by reducing the non-value adding wastes.” ~ Taiichi Ohno, father of the Toyota Production System
- “Here’s to the crazy ones. The misfits. The rebels. The troublemakers. The round pegs in the square holes. The ones who see things differently. They’re not fond of rules. And they have no respect for the status quo. You can quote them, disagree with them, glorify or vilify them. About the only thing you can’t do is ignore them. Because they change things. They push the human race forward. And while some may see them as the crazy ones, we see genius. Because the people who are crazy enough to think they can change the world, are the ones who do.” ~ Steve Jobs