Supply Chain Owners – You Running Hard but Standing Still?

Today’s supply chain mangers find themselves being challenged like they never have been challenged in the past. The recession thinned their staffs dramatically. They’re feeling more pressure as sluggish top line growth is forcing companies to determine how they can grow their bottom line through improved operations. The result – supply chain managers are being pressured to drive hard to continuously improve the value of the services they deliver.

This is a tough position to be in when faced with a difficult regulatory environment, driver shortages and carriers who are looking to maintain their margins rather than chase after every shipment they can take from a competitor.  

Discussing this with a supply chain management client today, he talked about how he knows they must find ways to reduce transportation costs. However, because of resource shortages, they don’t have the talent they need to make this happen. He bottom lined it, “Running hard to stand still is painfully unfulfilling.”

Knowing he wasn’t alone in the running-hard-but-standing-still sentiment, we at Data2Logistics took action in this regard: appointing industry veteran Leif Holm-Andersen to lead our Professional Services Group as Executive Director. The group’s focus is to drive cost out of the supply chain by partnering with clients to identify and execute solutions. “We don’t just deliver solutions, we execute and manage on a go forward basis through key performance indicators to ensure our clients solutions are executed properly and stay on track,” Leif commented. What the Group offers is a full suite of services focused on optimizing clients’ supply chain. The program’s objective is to utilize Data2Logistics’ information, technology, subject matter expertise and knowledge of the marketplace to enhance transportation operations, improve service and reduce related expenses.

Leif’s 20 years of supply chain experience includes working for manufacturers and distributors throughout the world. He’s managed all modes of transportation globally and believes success in logistics is heavily dependent on the ‘data is knowledge’ mantra. “Managing with data and facts will produce the best results and drive cost out of the supply chain. Data2Logistics recognizes and follows this practice. Data2Logistics’ freight audit and pay business provides our clients with full visibility into their transportation spend. Our team utilizes this data to create dashboards helping clients to manage spend, providing a partnership to reduce costs through both procurement and process improvement opportunities. I ardently believe in partnering with clients and their providers to create win-win scenarios. It’s about data, facts and relationships,” Leif continued. Like the guy’s passion and drive…

You too running hard but standing still with higher costs and lower headcount? Talk to Leif; he knows how to ship smarter and save.