Trends that are shaping global supply chains and logistics that you should know about
Reacting quickly
Now world events are merging to form what feels like a never ending storm of disruption for supply chains. This new reality will continue to test the resourcefulness, the back bone, and the flexibility of supply chain professionals and companies involved. Their goal: to preserve supply chain networks that not only survive but thrive.
Distribution globally continues to be disrupted. More border controls and customs regulations make wait times longer. Lack of long-haul and last-mile fulfilment capacity create extreme challenges.
Accountability goes a long way when trying to overcome the hurdles supply chain disruption throws at you. We operate with a dedicated account manager who is responsible for looking after everything to do with your company and freight movements.
They are devoted to learning the ins and outs of your business to be able to know your needs better than you do. We know that customers want reliability and if something starts to go wrong, where possible, you will always hear from your account manager first on how we will overcome any challenges.
Moving past satisfying customers and starting to enable customers
Supply chain organisations have the potential to significantly increase customer loyalty by enabling them to accomplish their goals rather than merely satisfying basic needs. To gain a competitive edge, businesses should shift their focus from simply satisfying customers to providing them with a reliable and straightforward experience that allows them to complete tasks more efficiently.
For instance, Amazon not only provides a user-friendly platform but also enables customers to order gift-wrapped products that can be delivered directly to whoever they want. By offering predelivery gift wrap services, Amazon empowers customers to complete their gift wrapping tasks with ease, particularly in December when gift giving is in full swing.
We like to put a real focus on customer enablement by putting our customers supply chains through their paces giving them a real competitive advantage, no matter how big or small. The partnership we have with our customs clearance partner Gerlach, allows us to do this with ease. The hard working, pull no punches, in-house customs team work 24/7 to enable goods to be cleared overnight in a real timely manner and continue to move through Europe, making next day delivery in the EU, possible.
Never thought we’d hear that as we moved through Brexit.
Next day delivery made possible by logistics really does have a great ring to it.
Sustainability will become a key pillar to operations
If customers believe that a business has not taken sufficient responsibility for environmental, diversity, and other social standards, they may lose confidence and choose not to empower the brand again – a real headache for any organisation.
Sustainability within a supply chain can mean focusing on large and small factors. Is your packaging recyclable or reusable? Are you shipping in the most environmentally friendly way? What to do about the impacts of climate change poses a real predicament for supply chains.
Consolidating freight and looking to fill other empty capacity in trailers that are already on the move ensuring journeys are never wasted is just a small way we can help businesses to move items more sustainably.
It is crucial to reinvent business operations to achieve sustainability outcomes and ensure future-proofing. While many businesses have experienced reputational benefits from sustainability efforts, tangible business benefits have been limited.
Government initiatives
Governments around the world are investing in logistics infrastructure and implementing policies to improve efficiency and reduce costs. This includes investment in transportation networks, such as highways and railroads, as well as initiatives to promote the use of technology in logistics operations. Being part of a supply chain that is supported by government initiatives means being part of a very reliable supply chain. For more and more companies it is becoming a requirement rather than a preference. The main goals are increasing international supply chain security and facilitating legitimate trade. It means that the company in question works in compliance with standards that are set out by the World Customs Organization. We are proud to be recognised as an Authorised Economic Operator (AEO) by HMRC. The AEO concept is based on a mutual customs-to-business partnership. Traders who voluntarily meet a range of criteria work in close cooperation with customs authorities to assure the common objective of supply chain security are entitled to enjoy benefits throughout the EU. As an AEO accredited business, we have been judged to meet strict criteria when it comes to customs controls and our supply chain security procedures. There are a range of benefits we can take an advantage of when operating under AEO. Simplified Customs declarations and EIDR (Entry in Declarant’s Records) and priority treatment of consignments if selected for customs control are the main benefits we are able to pass on to our customers.
All of these important trends will improve the performance and resiliency of supply chain and logistics and better align the industry with key global macro-trends such as sustainability.
Get in touch today to see how we help to improve the efficiency of your supply chain as we head into 2023 and beyond.
