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Designing a system or business strategy to minimize the risk of future events, known as “future-proofing,” is an important part of supply chain management. When done correctly, future-proofing can reduce years of inefficiencies and save a business millions of dollars along the way. With proper planning, you can better avoid supply chain disruptions down the line. Future-proofing a supply chain is rewarding, but the process might not always be simple. Luckily, you do not need to figure out the process on your own. Brown West Logistics has been working with an eye to the future for many years and can help you apply foresight to...

Professionals in the supply chain industry have many tools at their disposal, one of the best being a system known as “root cause analysis.” Root cause analysis can be a useful tool when used correctly. Successful businesses excel at supply chain management and understand the benefits of root cause analysis. What is Root Cause Analysis? Root cause analysis is a general approach to problem-solving in supply chain management that involves a series of steps designed to identify and correct the source of a supply chain vulnerability. Ultimately, root cause analysis could be useful in any situation where the supply chain is underperforming specific expectations or...

In July of 2021, UPS President of Supply Chain Solutions, Phillippe Gilbert, held a discussion with DHL CCO and Strategy Director, Phil Roe, regarding the future of third-party logistics. Their discussion looked at where the 3PL industry is today and where it is likely headed throughout the year. DHL and UPS executives examined the evolution of 3PL in 2021 and provided numerous insights and predictions during the conversation. Delivering Efficiencies across the Supply Chain When it comes to the fundamental benefits of partnering with a third-party logistics provider, both executives agreed that efficiency was high on the list. Another crucial point was the importance of having many 3PL...

On-demand warehousing has quickly become a popular option for many retailers and other businesses. Designed to provide flexible, market-driven warehousing that can expand and contract with a business’s needs, on-demand warehousing has obvious benefits. That being said, it is important to note that there are also many areas where a traditional 3PL-operated warehouse is the best option. The world is changing, and learning more about the benefits of a traditional 3PL model versus on-demand warehousing may be vital to your business’s future. On-Demand vs 3PL-Operated Warehousing There are some important differences between on-demand warehousing and the traditional use of 3PL-operated warehouses. Benefits of On-Demand Warehousing...

While it may be nerve-wracking to pass any elements of your business operations to a third-party logistics (3PL) provider, working with the right 3PL provider could lessen the load on yourself and your employees and maximize the efficiency with which your business operates, all as if you were managing those outsourced processes directly. Here are some of the biggest reasons why 3PLs should be considered an extension of your business rather than just a contractor helping to fulfill secondary obligations. Reducing Front- and Back-End Costs From intake to storage to picking and packing, to the vast transportation networks that get an order from your facility...

Many of the events that took place in 2020 highlighted the importance of America’s supply chains, as well as how susceptible many of them are to sudden and extremely disruptive change. The new presidential administration even issued an Executive Order in February 2021 focused on the significance of maintaining sustainable supply chains and ordering review of various supply chains within federal agencies. As the supply chain industry enters the post-pandemic era, ensuring that your business is resistant to sudden problems and shortages will be essential to keeping it healthy. Here are some tips for improving supply chain resiliency that could put you ahead of the...