If you’re dealing with supply chain issues, it’s easy to feel like there isn’t much you can do. After all, many of these problems are caused by factors outside of your control, from a weather event that shuts down your supplier to the Russia-Ukraine conflict that limits flight and shipping routes.
That’s why it’s important to take a closer look at your supply chain. By doing so, you can identify and respond to problems early. From missed deliveries to rising costs, you’ll discover simple tools and strategies that can help you avoid bigger issues down the line.
Procurement: This stage is about finding and paying for goods, raw materials, and services to support manufacturing. It’s often a complex process that involves multiple vendors and sourcing locations.
Manufacturing: The transformation of raw materials and parts into finished products, utilizing machinery and labor to add value and functionality. This phase is a crucial part of your supply chain because it determines what you produce and how much of each item you’re able to sell.
Distributing: The transfer of finished products to a wholesaler or retailer, which can then sell them directly to consumers. This is a key stage in your supply chain because it ensures that your product is available to the people who need it the most.
Sustainability: Increasingly, businesses are taking steps to minimize the environmental, social, and economic impact of their supply chains. This can include reducing waste through batching shipments and optimizing space in shipping containers, buying materials from suppliers that uphold high standards for worker conditions, and using environmentally-friendly packing.
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