Economic recessions occur about every nine years which means the next one is already overdue. A very good leading indicator of an imminent recession is the interest rate spread between the 10-year and 2-year U.S. Treasury bond. Historically within two years after this spread drops below zero the economy goes into a recession. The spread as of August 19 was 0.04 percent. A …
Industry Matters
The Magic Behind the Gartner Magic Quadrant
Like many supply chain leaders, you are likely tasked to continuously improve your business processes, and understand how the latest innovations coming to market can help you along this journey. Industry analysts such as ChainLink Research, IDC, Gartner Research and Supply Chain Insights are often asked to share their opinions of the market. Recently, Gartner published the 2019 …
Never Ending Journey of a Private Label Manufacturer
I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change A few years ago I saw the Off-Broadway musical, I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change. This simple but hilarious musical follows couples through stages of their relationship from dating, to marriage, to raising children and into the twilight years. The final scene highlights that an underlying feature of successful relationships is …
How to Design a Successful Apparel Supply Chain
Apparel is an exciting and rapidly changing industry. Planners need to contend with inconsistent consumer buying behavior, the need to satisfy multiple channels, complex sourcing options and proliferating “sub-seasons,” collections and assortments. These are just a few of the challenges apparel manufacturers and retailers must overcome to operate at peak performance and compete …
Process Chemicals — A Complex Supply Chain in Motion
On a recent road trip to retrieve my daughter from college I drove past a handful for chemical manufacturing plants of various types. Viewing a chemical manufacturing plant from a distance everything seems so peaceful and static. A chemical plant is a complex and expensive array of storage tanks, pipes, controls and special chemical or biological transformation and/or …
Six Must Have Supply Chain Capabilities for Success in the Food and Beverage Industry
Last week we shared five capabilities to help take the Food & Beverage supply chain to the next level. Today, we continue this conversation and look at six must have capabilities that drive supply chain improvement for F&B manufacturers. The food & beverage industry faces a lengthy list of unique challenges from long raw material lead-times and volatile commodity …
Risks in Supply – An Omnipresent Danger
For more than a decade, I have implemented inventory optimization solutions for some of the world's largest companies in industries ranging from life sciences to chemicals, from consumer goods to high-tech, and more. Throughout these projects, there is a consistent theme: organizations have a difficult time finding clarity in variability in supply. Supply risks are …
Imagine 2030: Supply Chain Talent
This year's Supply Chain Insights' annual global conference (Live Stream: https://live.hosted.events/SupplyChain2030/) moves to our hometown of Atlanta, a town deep in supply chain history from the crossroads of the early train routes to the hub of many of today's leading brands, and supply chain services and technology providers. As we welcome the industry thought leaders, …
Seven Strategic Components for a Proactive Process Chemical Supply Chain
Process chemical manufacturers face complex supply chain challenges including dealing with hazardous and perishable ingredients whose characteristics (potency, color, composition, etc.) can vary from lot to lot. Adjusting formulas based on available ingredients and ensuring finished products meet the exacting tolerances of customers and regulating agencies requires flexibility …
The Talent Gap
What It Is, Why We Have It, and Some Simple Ideas to Fill the Gap Rising Demand At recent supply chain user conferences, a major concern for many companies was the talent gap in supply chain. This is an urgent issue for corporations to address, since the gap stymies growth, dampens innovative ideas and programs, and limits problem solving on a day-to-day level. Supply …