The Logistics of Logistics

OCTOBER 30, 2023

Richard Lebovitz and Joe Lynch discuss leading inventory attack teams. Richard is the CEO of LeanDNA , a purpose-built analytics platform for factory inventory optimization. About Richard Lebovitz Richard Lebovitz is the CEO of LeanDNA , a purpose-built analytics platform for factory inventory optimization.

Optimal Sourcing 278

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement 278

ToolsGroup

MARCH 26, 2025

Safety Stock: Navigating Supply Chain Volatility Through Strategic Inventory Planning Demand volatility represents a critical challenge for supply chain executives today, with safety stock emerging as a key strategic tool to mitigate market uncertainties. Forecast Inaccuracy Strategically offsets errors in predicting future demand.

Supply Chain Planning Software 156

Supply Chain Planning Software Modeling Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning 156

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 12, 2020

Downsizing inventories over the past decade crippled the response.” In Table 1, I share research collected for the Supply Chains to Admire analysis on the average days of inventory by industry across the period of 2004 to 2019 by increments to match economic shifts. Days of Inventory Peer Group Across Time Periods.

Inventory Management Software 286

Inventory Management Software Inventory Management Inventory Reduction Inventory 286

Logistics Viewpoints

JUNE 3, 2025

Optimizing fulfillment requires a series of steps to get a shipment from its source to the end customer. These steps include sourcing and receiving inventory, storing inventory, order processing, picking and packing an order, shipping the order, and returns management.

Optimal Sourcing 151

Optimal Sourcing Optimization Software Sourcing Strategies Price Mitigation Strategies 151

Logility

JUNE 5, 2024

This urges a shift from the unsustainable practice of buffering against uncertainty with high inventory levels. Enter Inventory Optimization (IO) as a vital strategy to combat supply chain stress. Yet, recent research suggests a more advanced approach, Multi-Echelon Inventory Optimization (MEIO), surpasses traditional methods.

Optimal Sourcing 188

Optimal Sourcing Inventory Reduction Inventory Management Software Modeling 188

Logistics Viewpoints

APRIL 2, 2025

Companies that previously prioritized cost-cutting and centralized sourcing quickly found themselves exposed to serious production and distribution risks. In response, many organizations have shifted toward decentralized and regionalized supply chain models, distributing production and sourcing across multiple regions.

Modeling 163

Modeling Modeling Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 163

Logistics Viewpoints

MARCH 24, 2025

Customers specifically those in automotive, industrial, consumer durables, high-tech, and aerospace and defense can seamlessly connect operational, tactical, and strategic planning processes across supply chain networks to create a single source of truth for their data.

Manufacturing Procurement 151

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning Sourcing Strategies 151

Logistics Viewpoints

AUGUST 18, 2021

Supply shortages, low inventory to sales ratios, and hiring lags are noted as factors at play. Data as recent as the end of June 2021 show that inventories remain below 1.3 times a month’s sales, a low for the period since January 2019 included in the chart. The increase in energy prices is also important to monitor. Final Word.

Supply Chain Disruption 335

Supply Chain Disruption Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Purchasing Skills 335

Arena Solutions

FEBRUARY 4, 2025

Global supply chain disruptions continue to derail manufacturers in the high-tech, automotive, and renewable energy sectors as they grapple with long lead times, higher prices, and electronic component shortages. To mitigate risks, many companies are incorporating alternate parts into their sourcing strategy. Focus on commodity parts.

Purchasing Skills 62

Purchasing Skills Manufacturing Procurement Sourcing Strategies Sourcing 62

Talking Logistics

MARCH 7, 2017

When you consider the increasing complexity of the automotive supply chain, collaboration continues to play an important role. Reasonable linking of various data sources (= intelligent integration) in order to have continuously-updated data with high significance and quality instead of fragmented and isolated information.

Automotive 140

Automotive Supply Chain Planning Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Network Software 140

ThroughPut

APRIL 15, 2025

Summary of the Impact A globally recognized Automotive Interiors Manufacturer deployed ThroughPuts AI-powered supply chain solution, Supply chain decision intelligence & analytics platform , to optimize Just-in-Time manufacturing across all operational shifts.

Just-in-Time 52

Just-in-Time Supply Chain Planning Software Analytics Software Automotive 52

ThroughPut

MAY 20, 2025

Managing spare parts inventory has always been a delicate balancing actexcess inventory ties up capital, while shortages risk costly downtime and production delays. Thats why a growing number of organizations are turning to AI software for spare parts inventory management. What is Spare Parts Inventory Management?

Inventory Management Software 52

Inventory Management Software Inventory Reduction Prescriptive Analytics Software Supply Chain Planning Software 52

The Logistics of Logistics

JANUARY 13, 2023

Earlier in his career, Trey was part of the Flexport Atlanta founding team and led Kuehne + Nagel’s account management group where he helped design and operate automotive, high tech, and industrial manufacturing supply chain solutions. Trey and the Amplio team believe that sourcing electronic components should be easy and predictable.

Manufacturing Procurement 244

Manufacturing Procurement Optimal Sourcing Purchasing Skills Procurement Solutions 244

RFgen

DECEMBER 4, 2024

In the automotive sector, manufacturers are simultaneously reducing inventory costs and delivery times. An efficient procurement process optimizes vendor selection and purchasing decisions to maintain cost-effective inventory levels. Let’s break down these key components: Procurement: This is where it all begins.

Sourcing Strategies 96

Sourcing Strategies Inventory Reduction Waste Reduction Expense Reduction 96

The Logistics of Logistics

MARCH 13, 2021

Sourcing Strategy: Effective vs Efficient with Ron Crabtree. Joe Lynch and Ron Crabtree discuss sourcing strategy: effective vs efficient. When developing a sourcing strategy, the focus can be effectiveness (gaining desired results) or on efficiency (reducing cost, labor, and resources used). About Ron Crabtree.

Sourcing Strategies 130

Sourcing Strategies Resource Reduction Price Reduction Waste Reduction 130

Logistics Viewpoints

OCTOBER 31, 2022

ZF is a Tier 1 supplier to the automotive industry. While most of their sales are to automotive OEMs, they also sell components that go into other products – trucks and busses, wind turbines, tractors, construction equipment, etc. Lean cuts inventory out of the supply chain. This did adversely affect their financial results.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 261

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Lean 261

Resilinc

JUNE 9, 2025

Both scenarios carry hidden dependencies, but overreliance on single or sole sourcing is increasingly a hidden challenge. The call to action was clear: Organizations must act now to pinpoint financial and sourcing vulnerabilities. Rising concerns over cash conversion : U.S.

Supply Chain Risk Management 71

Supply Chain Risk Management Risk Management Supply Chain Software Manufacturing Procurement 71

BlueYonder

APRIL 17, 2025

Companies importing and exporting goods, be it finished retail products, manufacturing components or materials, now face substantial cost and price pressures that squeeze margins and force difficult pricing, sourcing, operations and distribution decisions. For example, you might source from a domestic supplier that doesnt incur a tariff.

Supply Chain Planning Software 88

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Price Reduction Material Savings 88

BlueYonder

MAY 1, 2025

While the past focus was primarily on minimizing supply chain costs in a global free-trade environment, todays supply chain leaders must prioritize flexibility, build in additional redundancies, and create strategic sourcing options for rare materials, components, and technologies.

Just-in-Time 52

Just-in-Time Price Reduction Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction 52

BlueYonder

JANUARY 31, 2023

The following are the insights gained from my discussion with Salim Shaikh , who leads Blue Yonder’s Automotive Industry Strategy, during a recent Blue Yonder Live and webinars that we prepared for jointly. This is the exact word that used by Kelly Bysouth, the chief supply chain officer at International Automotive Components (IAC).

Automotive 107

Automotive Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Software 107

SYSPRO Smarter ERP

SEPTEMBER 29, 2021

At the beginning of 2020, the global market for automotive parts and accessories had enjoyed several years of high margins and steady growth in a stable environment. This means automotive parts and accessories businesses must start looking at changing their business model and will need technology to help support the change.

Supply Chain Design Software 105

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Automotive Material Savings 105

BlueYonder

OCTOBER 30, 2023

The automotive industry has shown itself to be brave in recent times, in all areas but one: the supply chain. Brave” in this context points to a never-ending stream of innovations in the automotive space. Brave” in this context points to a never-ending stream of innovations in the automotive space.

Automotive 105

Automotive Agile and Lean Supply Chain Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 105

BlueYonder

JANUARY 24, 2023

The following are the insights gained from my discussion with Salim Shaikh , who leads Blue Yonder’s Automotive Industry Strategy, during a recent Blue Yonder Live and webinars that we prepared for jointly. I have not seen that in the past 25 years being in the automotive industry. Can we get the supplies from an alternate source?

Automotive 95

Automotive Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain 95

SYSPRO Smarter ERP

DECEMBER 20, 2021

The automotive industry is in a perpetual state of change. The automotive industry sets some of the highest quality standards in manufacturing, driven by a need to ensure safety and a desire to control costs. What is traceability in the automotive industry?

Automotive 105

Automotive Supply Chain Design Software Manufacturing Procurement Industrial 105

BlueYonder

MAY 18, 2020

Automotive and industrial manufacturing plants are being shuttered around the world, which has affected not just the OEMs but also their Tier 1, Tier 2, and Tier 3 suppliers. The current share of indigenous to imported sourcing for the OEMs is approximately 40:60. Supply Chain Risk Mitigation. Segmentation.

Automotive 98

Automotive Modeling Supply Chain Planning Software Scenario Planning 98

BlueYonder

OCTOBER 6, 2023

” – Sir Winston Churchill Having just returned from the 2023 Automotive Logistics and Supply Chain Global conference in Detroit, these words are very fitting to encapsulate the essence of the event. The automotive industry faces fierce competition in attracting and retaining top talent. “Never let a good crisis go to waste.”

Waste Reduction 98

Waste Reduction Inventory Reduction Automotive Cost Reduction Strategies 98

Supply Chain Shaman

SEPTEMBER 28, 2022

Last week, after booking an additional $1B in unexpected supplier costs in the third quarter, the CFO led the company’s focus on restructuring to “support efficient and reliable sourcing of components and internal development of key technologies and capabilities.” Multi-tier inventory management by itself was not sufficient.

Manufacturing Procurement 195

Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Design Software Network Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software 195

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 19, 2022

Chris Castle, the vice president of product management at Nulogy, said that collaboration in the consumer goods industry was more even handed than in industries like automotive. In automotive, the OEM says “jump” and the suppliers asks “how high?”.

Supply Chain Design Software 227

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Design Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Network Software 227

GlobalTranz

APRIL 6, 2021

Supply chain disruption has many sources: tariffs and trade disputes, natural disasters, pandemics, economic uncertainty and cybersecurity attacks. The demand caught off-guard those retailers and suppliers who relied on just-in-time inventory practices. Does any of that sound like the past two years or so?

Supply Chain Planning Software 285

Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software Supply Chain Planning Supply Chain 285

QAD

MARCH 30, 2023

As I discussed in a recent article in RFID Journal , RFID technology has changed a lot since 2005 and could be the secret to ensuring greater visibility and inventory accuracy this year. They don’t have an internal power source, so range and data storage is sacrificed to gain cost efficiency and lifespan. What is RFID Technology?

Manufacturing Procurement 98

Manufacturing Procurement Inventory Management Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Software 98

Jaggaer

OCTOBER 24, 2024

Take supplier collaboration in the automotive industry, for example. In the retail sector, collaboration with suppliers can provide retailers with real-time information about inventory levels, enabling them to respond quickly to changes in consumer demand.

Cost Reduction Strategies 52

Cost Reduction Strategies Inventory Reduction Price Reduction Material Savings 52

Logistics Viewpoints

SEPTEMBER 4, 2024

From raw material sourcing to end-of-life disposal, each step is recorded securely on a distributed ledger. The automotive, textile, and electronics industries are already exploring pilot programs to integrate blockchain into their supply chains.

Supply Chain Design Software 307

Supply Chain Design Software Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Network Software Modeling Software 307

Supply Chain Opz

JULY 1, 2014

In 1995, companies in automotive industry used Electronic Data Interchange to share information. Real world example is that a "new boss" ask you to cut cost by 10%, improve service level by 15%, double inventory turns and so on. Do you wonder when people started working together as a supply chain network?

Cost Reduction Strategies 271

Cost Reduction Strategies Vendor Strategies Inventory Reduction Supply Chain Strategy 271

Resilinc

OCTOBER 2, 2023

The effects of the strike are already rippling through the automotive supply chain. While companies do have some excess inventory available, the automotive supply chain is experiencing layoffs, furloughs, auto parts shortages, and idling operations. The automotive supply chain is a complex ecosystem of different suppliers.

Automotive 78

Automotive Negotiate Pricing Negotiating Skills Supply Chain Planning 78

Supply Chain Shaman

DECEMBER 17, 2018

The Company also has franchised aftermarket services in automotive repair shops, retail outlets, and everything in between. They saw a steady drop in inventory and reduced working capital by about 50% over the period of 2011-2015. Impact of Demand Sensing on Inventory Levels. The implementation was very successful.

Demand Planning Software 322

Demand Planning Software Supply and Demand Supply Chain Planning Software Supply Chain Design Software 322

Supply Chain Shaman

JUNE 14, 2018

A slight change within a function–in sourcing or manufacturing, or along the chain–can greatly impact the outcomes of cost, customer service, or working capital. Today, over 90% of companies have deployed ERP and APS, but as shown in Table 1, inventory levels have grown not decreased in over 80% of industries studied.

Optimal Sourcing 191

Optimal Sourcing Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software Agile and Lean Supply Chain 191

Logistics Viewpoints

DECEMBER 5, 2022

Those industries include data communications, medical, industrial, automotive and consumer electronics. Those shipments can move directly to customers or move to several regional distribution centers (DCs) that serve as forward inventory locations and consolidation hubs servicing customers and channel partners.

Agile and Lean Supply Chain 272

Agile and Lean Supply Chain Rail Software Manufacturing Procurement Supply Chain Planning Software 272