Good data is critical to a company's decisions on where to site manufacturing, distribution and services facilities. But too much data can paralyze planners. HP has found a way to cut through the noise and react more quickly to changes in the market.
How would you like to spend substantial amounts of time and money on establishing an overseas supplier to manufacture your product - only to see that partner start competing against you with its own brand?
As we draw toward a close of a volatile 2015 that saw airfreight demand skyrocket in the early months only to cool down and stagnate for much of the rest of the year, the International Air Transport Association (IATA) is predicting continued sluggishness for most of 2016, thanks to continued weak growth in world trade, a slowdown in China, falling commodity prices, and an expected interest rate hike in the United States.
Inspired by practices in the private sector, the Army Materiel Command division embraces the concept of integrated business planning - and ends up saving billions of dollars in inventory expense.
Looking to get closer to the customer, Lennox Residential undertakes a dramatic expansion of its distribution network. Simultaneously, it looks to cut costs, optimize inventory and improve the demand forecast.
The Liquor Control Board of Ontario pioneers a method for automating the assembly of pallets that incorporate cases of multiple dimensions. The result: big savings in labor costs, a safer work environment, a streamlined D.C. operation and better service to retail outlets.