Supply Chain Report - Logistics Association of Australia

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S u p p l y C h a i n R e p o r t 2 0 1 0 Foreword Logistics Bureau once again welcomes the opportunity of partnering with the LAA on this Supply Chain Report initiative for the benefit of LAA members and the broader business community. Undertaking to deliver this research report also reflects our commitment to promoting improved logistics and supply chain management practices and providing appropriate benchmarking for the benefit of our industry. In compiling this report, we would like to acknowledge the significant contributions made by a number of organisations that are fully referenced at the end of the report. We would also like to personally thank and acknowledge the efforts of Dr Patcharee Boonyathan of Logistics Bureau Asia for leading and completing this research. We received very positive feedback and ideas from LAA members following our previous reports and we look forward to further ideas that can be incorporated in the future. We would just ask you to remember that when reading the report, the information included comes from a wide range of sources and may not always fully align. We have not attempted to interpret the data but rather present it to you to draw your own conclusions. Happy reading. Last thoughts While we have not attempted to interpret the data in this report but rather present it for you to draw your own conclusions, we have been asked to share some thoughts and views based on this report and my broader exposure to our industry. I recently conducted a closed survey of a number of senior managers in some of our leading businesses here in Australia. I wanted to get ‘inside their heads’ and understand some of the key Supply Chain and Logistics issues they are facing. The results were interesting and not altogether surprising, and seem to fit well with some of the key aspects of this report. The top two things that keep these managers awake at night are understandably maintaining customer service while, at the same time, trying to reduce costs. Most businesses face the situation of trying to do more with less, and this is reflected in the report in areas such as reducing inventory levels. www.laa.asn.au 4
S u p p l y C h a i n R e p o r t 2 0 1 0 Our Program Partners - Logistics Bureau Continued When it comes to the daily frustrations of these senior managers, finding quality staff rates very highly. This reflects the trend that we have seen in our Supply Chain reports of an ageing workforce in our industry, one that is male dominated and in which industry-specific tertiary education can still be improved and made more readily available. As I continue to enjoy helping a broad range of organisations across our region improve their performance, the challenges that they face are different and yet often seem similar. • IBP or Integrated Business Planning, perhaps more commonly known as Sales and Operations Planning, is still a significant opportunity for most organisations as they try to improve cross-functional communication and customer service, while at the same time reducing costs. • Technology is playing an ever-increasing role in not only the reduction of operating costs but in the provision essential cost and service information, in real time where possible. Accessing accurate and timely information with which to make informed Supply Chain decisions is still not that easy for many businesses. Easily accessible cost and service performance metrics are an essential tool in the current environment. • An environment of constant change is being experienced by many in our industry that requires more agile and flexible Supply Chain solutions and service offerings, particularly for those businesses struggling to remain competitive against low cost imports or internet-based sales. But it is also the changing regulatory and legislative landscape that provides a challenge, particularly when a lack of harmonisation exists in some areas between States and the Commonwealth. • Whilst I have touched on the need for improved staff training and education experienced by many organisations, a broader awareness of Supply Chain management seems to be lacking across non Supply Chain functional areas. Perhaps this is also a symptom of having to do more with less, but the consequences often manifest in poor decision-making at a senior level, leading to higher-than-necessary costs, customer service impacts and waste. I hope you enjoy reading this year’s Supply Chain Report and find it of value. Rob O’Byrne Group Managing Director Logistics Bureau www.laa.asn.au 5
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Supply Chain Report - Logistics Association of Australia

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