The objective of Supply Chain research is to determine what opportunities exist through your supplier base that can help you to reduce your costs and/or accomplish your organizational objectives, and then determine the strategies you can pursue to accomplish these objectives. The goal is to improve not only your own profitability, but the efficiency, effectiveness and profitability of all channel members.

Supply Chain Best Practices: “Best practices” are leading edge practices or methods for conducting business. Best practices often eventually become industry trends or standards, utilized by a number of companies. Initially, however, they are only implemented by a few companies that were willing to take a chance while looking for new ways to use their supply chain as a competitive weapon. Identifying these practices before they become the norm can help the second wave of practitioners improve their competitive position and leverage the benefits of the best practices, without the risks or costs associated with being the first to pursue them.

Trends: Over time, some practices become the start of an industry norm. These trends often replace or enhance existing methods of doing business. Research of the trends in your supply chain can help a company adjust to changes and choose the methods that make the best financial sense for that organization, while still accomplishing their organizational goals.

Cost Saving Opportunities: There are literally hundreds of opportunities to save money through your supply chain. In one study we conducted, we identified over 180 different supply chain initiatives companies were pursuing. The problem is not a lack of options, but often confusion about which strategies to pursue. Many companies wait for an opportunity to become a normal practice before pursuing it, foregoing any competitive advantage that may have been provided by acting early. This can cost the company a significant amount due to lost opportunities each year. We can help determine what your supply base is capable of, how to evaluate the risks and rewards of cost savings opportunities, and how to start receiving the benefits today.

Cost Management Modeling: One of the newest strategies being utilized in some industries is cost management. From a purchasing standpoint, cost management looks at the actual costs the supplier incurs for producing a single part (materials/components, labor, machinery, and G&A). Each supplier’s costs can then be compared to determine the “best” cost across all suppliers. Then the company can work with their supplier to help them achieve a lower cost without sacrificing their profits. We help companies perform the research and gather the data they need to determine the costs involved and help them to develop a cost management model.