Food & Beverage

Focus Is on Return on Assets, Inventory Turns and Revenue Growth

February 20, 2009

Michael Griswold, research director at AMR Research

Retailers are making a fundamental shift in the way they do business by creating value networks that coordinate processes and technology to understand, shape and respond more efficiently to consumer demand. Leading supply chain organizations recognize the link between responsive networks and improved supply chain performance.

The Critical Need for Decision Support & Analytics in Global PLM

February 20, 2009

Jeffrey Hojlo, research analyst at AMR Research

In past product lifecycle management research, we asked manufacturers why they think product launches fail-the reason most often cited was that the product doesn't meet customer needs. While still within the top three, not meeting customer needs has been replaced in this year's spending study by a new top challenge: higher than projected costs.

Safely Navigating Treacherous Economic Waters

February 19, 2009

Philip Damas, division director, Drewry Supply Chain Advisors

The instability of the international container shipping sector, capacity withdrawal on some routes and "slow steaming" practices will expose exporters and importers to greater risks.

Mastering Significant Global Uncertainty

February 19, 2009

Dr. Edgar E. Blanco, MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics

As the financial crisis ripples through the global economy, supply chains will need to re-invent themselves and deal with uncertainty at all levels: economic, financial and regulatory. The need to balance short-term needs with long-term investments in global supply chains will add significant uncertainty to global supply chain operations.

Decreasing Costs Key in Times of Political, Economic Uncertainty

February 19, 2009

Erin Williams, analyst, APQC

Staying afloat during times of economic challenge may require companies to rethink the way they have traditionally conducted their businesses. Finding ways to standardize and streamline processes may be essential to reducing costs within the demand/supply chain planning functions.

Focus on Traceability Intensifies as Concerns for Food Origin, Safety Grow

February 19, 2009

Bill McBeath, chief research officer, ChainLink Research

As we become increasingly globalized, with more tiers and more hands touching the ingredients in our end-to-end food supply chain, the need for food traceability will only increase.

Preventing Brand Damage: A New Bar Is Set for Food Safety Practices

February 19, 2009

Melissa S. Hersh, vice president, supply chain risk management, Marsh Inc.

To minimize potential liability and financial damage, organizations need to be proactive and have demonstrable systems in place to manage food safety risks across their supply chains.

There Are Seven Market Trends to Watch for in This Vertical in 2009

February 19, 2009

Lora Cecere, vice president, consumer products, AMR Research

If history is our guide, sales of food and beverage products will rise in the economic downturn. Food staples (cereal, bread, milk) along with convenience meals will gain volume as more families eat at home. It appears that 2009 is a time for food and beverage manufacturers to create big brands in big economies.

Using Event Management for Proactive Disruption Response

February 19, 2009

Viktoriya Sadlovska, research analyst, Aberdeen Group

"Proactive" visibility is what matters most in effectively managing supply chain disruptions, i.e., when companies get the right information when it matters, from all critical internal stakeholders, as well as external supply chain partners. Companies need to have event management capabilities to aid in this process.

Wireless Helps Food & Beverage Sector Control Costs

February 18, 2009

Manufacturing & Logistics IT

Food & Beverage

The latest supply-chain news, analysis, trends and tools for executives in the food and beverage industries. Learn how food and beverage companies and their suppliers around the world are managing the flow of products across all channels of the enterprise. Experts sound off on forecasting and demand planning, supply-chain visibility, logistics outsourcing, inventory optimization, transportation management, warehouse management, supply-chain security, corporate social responsibility and more.