Burman Associates—supply chain management

CONSULTANCY...

Benchmarking

Change management

Forecasting & scheduling

Interim management

Inventory & stock management

Invitations to tender

Logistics

Outsourcing & supplier management

Franchising

Supply chain auditing

Supply chain distribution

Time compression

Warehouse management

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Supply chain positioning and strategy

Ad hoc improvements to parts of a supply chain can be useful but will not be totally effective unless carried out within a framework designed for integrated operation. Hence it pays to articulate a strategy for a supply chain.

A common driver of supply chain strategy is cost reduction. No business can ignore costs and survive, so this is common sense but is not enough. Our analyses assist companies to reduce costs, but to reduce the case to absurdity, zero costs are easily achievable by ceasing to trade.

The objective is to supply a need. The first aim of a sound strategy is to retain and gain customers. Better service, new ways of adding value and recognising the unique features of each customer, are the prime drivers in supply chain strategy. Locating customers and potential customers is a first step in designing the network. Our experience and methodologies will help.

Some consultancies offer a ‘tax efficient supply chain’, suggesting sourcing most of the value-adding links in the chain in countries with soft taxation regimes, and creating only minor value in high tax economies. However, it is a sound business rule not to allow the shape of a business to be driven by anything other than the market. Bending practices to benefit from government subsidies or perceived tax advantages requires the greatest circumspection. Advantages can be transitory. Robust supply is more important. A robust network of communication and transport is vital.

Burman Associates will focus on a sound information flow, the backbone of any supply chain. We will assist with plotting network isochrones, assuring principals that key suppliers are reliably within viable travel times. We can contribute to the construction of mutually beneficial, and therefore robust, supply contracts. A competitive and durable supply chain will result.

Burman Associates is a member of the European Logistics Consortium Ltd.