Productivity losses from the new hours-of-service rules have been less than anticipated, thanks to efforts by shippers and carriers, but both sides worry about additional changes that may be on the way.
While many companies curb investments in new supply-chain systems and process change, some take the long view. They're spending now, to realize big payoffs later.
CooperVision was rapidly growing its contact lens business even before recent acquisitions that added significant new volume. Fortunately, the company already had a plan to increase and improve its logistics capabilities well under way.
Even the best companies forget that their supply chains are only as strong as the transportation system that supports them. Unfortunately, capacity constraints, high costs and other problems portend serious transportation problems. The answer is having the right transportation executive on staff who understands the legal and operational challenges ahead.
