With fuel prices on the rise, drivers in short supply, a diverse product mix and strict customer requirements, order fulfillment has become an increasingly complex process. Consumer goods (CG) manufacturers are faced with uncontrollable costs that are squeezing the margins in an already competitive market, and the spotlight is turning to transportation management to help manage costs. Specifically, companies are looking to optimize the loads being shipped via various methods, whether truck, ship or rail. In addition to keeping on top of the rising cost of fuel, pressure to be green has companies striving to make shipments more efficient.
To get a better understanding of current transportation utilization in the CG industry, CGT partnered with ORTEC this month to ascertain what the challenges are in this critical process and how companies are attempting to improve their load efficiency. We also took a closer look at who is responsible for load management, how much flexibility companies have in adjusting orders to optimize shipments and if technology is being leveraged. The results aren't surprising - current load optimization rates leave room for improvement and companies who take advantage of existing technology to make improvements will realize substantial cost savings, particularly for fuel.","alternateLabel":"Research","teaserImage":{"id":917,"url":"https://assets1.consumergoods.com/styles/secondary_articles_short/s3/march08-custom-research.jpg?itok=dqdAz94t","width":100,"alt":null,"height":140},"sponsored":false,"businessTopic":[],"company":[],"contentType":[]},{"title":"Tyson Foods Gets the Big Demand and Supply Picture ","id":14525,"bundle":"article","summary":"When Tyson Foods purchased IBP Fresh meats in 2001, the Springdale, Ark.-based outfit officially became the largest meat processing company in the world, servicing retail, wholesale and food service customers in the United States and 80 countries overseas. ","showSummary":null,"url":"/tyson-foods-gets-big-demand-and-supply-picture","date":"2008-03-17T00:00:00","author":{"email":"devteam@ashday.com","uname":"ash_root","firstName":"Root","lastName":"Man","bio":null,"title":null,"picture":null,"phone":null,"contactForm":true},"digitalEdition":null,"sponsored":false,"taggedPro":null,"teaserImage":null,"topics":[{"name":"Supply Chain Execution","url":"/supply-chain-execution-0"},{"name":"Supply Chain","url":"/supply-chain"}],"attachedFiles":[]},{"title":"Philips Electronics Revamps Distribution ","id":14514,"bundle":"article","summary":"Customers of Philips Electronics set high, encompassing standards for delivery performance. ","showSummary":null,"url":"/philips-electronics-revamps-distribution","date":"2008-03-17T00:00:00","author":{"email":"devteam@ashday.com","uname":"ash_root","firstName":"Root","lastName":"Man","bio":null,"title":null,"picture":null,"phone":null,"contactForm":true},"digitalEdition":null,"sponsored":false,"taggedPro":null,"teaserImage":null,"topics":[{"name":"Supply Chain Execution","url":"/supply-chain-execution-0"},{"name":"Supply Chain","url":"/supply-chain"}],"attachedFiles":[]},{"title":"Kyocera Boasts a Supply Chain Worth Copying","id":14526,"bundle":"article","summary":"With a head office in Japan, factories in China as well as a distribution area extending throughout Australia, New Zealand and Oceania - Kyocera Mita Australia, a subsidiary of Kyocera Group, faces inherent geographical inconveniences. ","showSummary":null,"url":"/kyocera-boasts-supply-chain-worth-copying","date":"2008-03-17T00:00:00","author":{"email":"devteam@ashday.com","uname":"ash_root","firstName":"Root","lastName":"Man","bio":null,"title":null,"picture":null,"phone":null,"contactForm":true},"digitalEdition":null,"sponsored":false,"taggedPro":null,"teaserImage":null,"topics":[{"name":"Supply Chain Execution","url":"/supply-chain-execution-0"},{"name":"Supply Chain","url":"/supply-chain"}],"attachedFiles":[]},{"title":"Cabela's Effectively Manages Multiple Channels","id":14515,"bundle":"article","summary":"Headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, Cabela's is the largest direct marketer in the United States and is a specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise. ","showSummary":null,"url":"/cabelas-effectively-manages-multiple-channels","date":"2008-03-17T00:00:00","author":{"email":"devteam@ashday.com","uname":"ash_root","firstName":"Root","lastName":"Man","bio":null,"title":null,"picture":null,"phone":null,"contactForm":true},"digitalEdition":null,"sponsored":false,"taggedPro":null,"teaserImage":null,"topics":[{"name":"Supply Chain Execution","url":"/supply-chain-execution-0"},{"name":"Supply Chain","url":"/supply-chain"}],"attachedFiles":[]},{"title":"The State of Collaboration","id":14637,"bundle":"whitepaper","url":"/state-collaboration","date":"2008-01-21T00:00:00","author":{"email":"devteam@ashday.com","uname":"ash_root","firstName":"Root","lastName":"Man","bio":null,"title":null,"picture":null,"phone":null,"contactForm":true},"summary":"Study examines the collaboration among manufacturers and retailers.","body":"
In conjunction with Manufacturing Insights, IDC, this study examines collaboration among manufacturers and retailers, beginning with the economic factors that influence their behavior to the impact of sustainability and RFID and ongoing challenges such as managing supply chain risk, innovation and demand and promotion data.
When Tyson Foods purchased IBP Fresh meats in 2001, the Springdale, Ark.-based outfit officially became the largest meat processing company in the world, servicing retail, wholesale and food service customers in the United States and 80 countries overseas.
With a head office in Japan, factories in China as well as a distribution area extending throughout Australia, New Zealand and Oceania - Kyocera Mita Australia, a subsidiary of Kyocera Group, faces inherent geographical inconveniences.
Headquartered in Sidney, Nebraska, Cabela's is the largest direct marketer in the United States and is a specialty retailer of hunting, fishing, camping and related outdoor merchandise.