The digital age is right here; everything is revolutionized. Not only has it changed and/or reshaped how the entire enterprise communities communicate and conduct businesses but specifically how the supply chains are operated and managed.

Thomas Friedman, superviser, Crunchy Candy Company

When you read this case study you will see the supply chains of Just Born Candy and Crunchy Candy Company. You will see the location of their factories and their distribution centers. Also shown are customers’ stores where they make deliveries. Each company does not sell to all of the same customers as the other, but there is a significant amount of overlap in the customers of the two companies. You can see the overlap in the supply chains of these two companies when you map them out as shown in the screenshot above. At the start of the case study both companies operate their own supply chains.

Customers would like to see fewer deliveries of candies in larger quantities like what they get from the bigger candy companies (M&M Mars and Hershey’s). They are also asking for lower prices. Both of these customer requests point toward combining supply chains. That way both smaller candy companies can make fewer and larger deliveries of their combined products. And if they can reduce their supply chain costs, they can also lower prices to their customers. In this case study each company makes and delivers two kinds of candy to customers. These products are shown as JBCandy1, JBCandy2, Crunchy1 and Crunchy2 . There is a spreadsheet reporting template you can use to analyze downloaded simulation data. Import your simulation data into the template and create monthly profit & loss reports as well as generate key performance indicators. 

Creating a positive experience for the distributor’s customers started with improving visibility and communication. Success within the supply chain depends on connectivity, and technology suite ensures everyone involved in a shipment has visibility into what is happening.

Lora Carson, join CEO, Warehouse Company

The distributor turned to Logistics to help streamline and improve its deliveries to warehouses, houses, job sites, apartments and businesses. The partnership has allowed the distributor to improve customer service, reduce the size of its in-house fleet and tap into dedicated capacity. Utilizing expertise also enabled the distributor to focus on its core business rather than transportation concerns.

The distributor’s parent company uses transportation-as-a-cost-of-sales as a metric to compare business units, so managing costs is critical. ClearChain technology allows customers to centralize their data, giving them the ability to see and understand their total transportation spend. The technology has also helped optimize the network and streamline deliveries, driving overall cost savings. Moreover, the distributor saw added value in efficient, professional drivers that arrived at its customers’ sites on time. As part of its communication, team members from Logistics and the distributor meet regularly to discuss metrics, data analysis, priorities and plans. The increased visibility enables data-driven decision making, and regular meetings give both parties clear direction for the future.

A proprietary system helps design the most efficient routes with a route algorithm. Dedicated staff constantly redesign this QSR’s routes for absolute optimization. Imagine if each shipping line or container operator followed their own specifications without adhering to the ISO Standards set for the industry. A unified shipping approach would have been impossible.

Joe Carlier, senior vice president of Global Sales

The changing supply chain and higher customer expectations will require that you know every detail about where your inventory has been, is going, and when and how it will arrive. With it, you’ll have a more comprehensive understanding for better decision-making around order fulfillment and operations management, as well as transparency throughout the recall process.

Many of today’s best-known food and beverage brands trust HighJump for supply chain management and visibility because we offer unparalleled advanced inventory management capabilities and real-time visibility to critical information. From the supplier to the store shelf and all locations in-between, this level of material and inventory control allows our customers to focus energies on expanding their businesses and building new effiencies into their processes.

 The closer packaging facilities are to manufacturing operations, distribution centers, or end destinations, the more cost effectively you can transport products.

Henry Philips, CEO of HAVA Logistics Inc.

SEKO’s solution was to implement a full distribution service for Cath Kidston with product dispatches twice weekly to all 27 stores across eight regions. SEKO shipped 370,000 units of stock from its Hong Kong DC in the lead-up to the reopening of the stores, using dedicated vehicles to fully stock each store within a 24-hour window. To eliminate any delays, SEKO also installed x-ray equipment to meet Japan’s strict quality control requirements.

With every store opening its doors to the public on time, Cath Kidston called on SEKO’s support again for the opening of a further two stores in Japan, with both ready for the Spring-Summer 2016 product preview. Japan is now Cath Kidston’s biggest market outside of the UK. The relationship is set to continue with more new stores in the pipeline.

Wondering if it’s time to add value to your supply chain? Duane Sizemore, senior vice president, marketing and business development with Saddle Creek Logistics Services, examines how value-added services can benefit your business.

Luis Barton, Vice President of Global Logistics Solution

Get products shelf ready. Value-added services such as price marking, tagging, and display building help to streamline the process of getting products on store shelves. Enhance customization capabilities. Personalization is one of today’s hottest trends. Want to offer a choice of embroidered logos on apparel? Allow customers to choose the face plate for their cellphone? Value-added services can help you deliver.  With the ability to customize products, you’re able to stock fewer SKUs, thereby reducing the cost of carrying and managing inventory.

With automated solutions and careful review of supply chain processes, value-added services can help eliminate downtime and reduce the number of touches required in the packaging process—ultimately saving money on labor. Incorporating value-added services can be challenging. Experienced 3PLs can be valuable allies. They offer the flexibility and resources to accommodate unique requirements, seasonal fluctuations, and business growth. Many of today’s 3PLs approach value-added services with a spirit of collaboration.