Where would you prefer to locate your operation? Most likely as close to customers and your supply base as possible. In this case, it means rates are going through the roof - if you can even get them.
At the Southern California Supply Chain and Logistics Summit conference, there were several keynote speakers from industry icons such as Amazon, UPS, Union Pacific and more. One might expect quite a lot of interesting insights into the latest supply chain trends yet the most common theme among the presentations tied back to the skills gap.
At the Southern California E-Commerce and Logistics Summit, there was much discussion on e-commerce.
Keep innovation and future disruptors top of mind.
Have you put thought into what has become commonplace - subscription services like Prime?
Are you paying attention to the Amazon effect? You should be!
Do you have backup transportation built into your model? Are you considering additional transportation partners such as third-party logistics providers (3PL) and brokers? Perhaps they shouldn't be considered a last resort.
Are you thinking about what seemingly unrelated topics like the Amazon Effect might mean for your business even if you don't supply consumers? The impacts can be far-reaching and significant.
In looking at the Amazon Effect as a metaphor, manufacturers and distributors must respond to elevated customer expectations, rapid delivery requests, 24/7 service, and much more.
