Supply Chain Logistics

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Today's supply chains are complex, dynamically changing, and critical to business success. With extensive Global Logistics experience developing and implementing supply chain strategies for a Fortune 500 medical device company, our expertise is working across the integrated supply chain to drive high quality and efficient cost to serve. 

• A major healthcare distributor desired to improve their inbound receiving efficiency and time to available-for-sale cycle time, which averaged a full shift and teams of 4-6 associates. An e-business project was organized to utilize the EDI 856 Advanced Shipment Notification (ASN), electronically providing batch/lot, expiry, and overpack-location detail prior to physical arrival of each shipment. Receiving and putaway labels were then pre-printed by pallet ID and matched to each SKU, reducing processing time by 50% -- freeing up labor and dock space. In addition, any excess or shortage  of labels was used to quickly identify receiving or shipping discrepancies.  The solution was immediately deployed nationwide across 40 other distribution centers and subsequently further expanded to other channel partners  —  with similar results.

• Demand for a seasonal diagnostic test has historically been extremely volatile and difficult to accurately forecast. Therefore, the supply chain was reoriented from the traditional monthly planning cycle to a full-season forecast, with quick-response fulfillment. The manufacturing plant was able to level-load, producing to the total season forecast in time for seasonal onset and enabling contingency surge capacity if needed. Regular conference calls were held with key channel partners to share updates including field sales activity, changes in demand rates (with weekly tactical plan adjustments as warranted), supply availability, SKU-level inventory, and expedites to minimize end-customer back orders. With this model, even during periods of short-supply allocation, two-way information flows enabled the supplier and its distributor partners to better align and respond to market volatility. 

* Source: 30th Annual State of Logistics Report, Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals