Supply Chain
A supply covers all organizations, information, resources, activities that are involved in getting a product from the point of production or the supplier to the consumer. All processes by which a raw material is transformed and preserved until it gets to a state in which it will be useful to the consumer and delivered to him are part of the supply chain.
Supply Chain gives rise to the logistics and the cold chain industry. The former guides the supply chain process flow, while the later utilises temperature control as an integral part of the supply chain process. Businesses that deal in processing, preservation, and transporting of agricultural produce, medical supplies, food items and meat are all part of the supply chain Industry.
The supply chain industry has its main key part to be preservation. This is because without preservation, the products do not get to the final consumer as desired, and then trigger a reversal of the process which is undesired.
Supply Chain Models
In order to run a successful supply chain system, various models can be employed. These models guide how the system is to be run from the sourcing of materials, to the processing, the preservation and the transportation/delivery.
Operations Reference
This reference model covers activities gearing towards satisfying customers’ demands. It analyses the supply chain’s operational performance, determines the state of its goals at any point in time and compares it to a standard benchmark.
Process Classification Framework
The Process Classification Framework supply chain model creates a common language or framework for departments in the supply chain to define and carry out work processes without any form of redundancy. It also supports benchmarking and efficient content management.
Best Practices Framework
The best practices framework supply chain model relies heavily on feedback from consumers and the industry generally. It identifies the best management method that had highest success rate and implements it into the supply chain processes. The idea is to utilize the feedback knowledge to always stay at the top in the supply chain industry.
Supply Chain Management
This, in simple terms, outlines the way a supply chain process is to be run. It deals with the design, planning, execution, control, and evaluation of all supply chain activities in a particular system. It oversees the implementation of supply chain models which eventually leads to a successful run.
Product Development
This part of the supply chain management process deals with the creation of a good product design. Without a good product design, the supply chain process can be disturbed or experience stunted growth. The management or business owners should make sure they run the supply chain with a good product design that will stay above competition.
Manufacturing Flow Management
This covers the manufacturing department of the supply chain process. All the activities involved in the processing and converting of the product design to an actual product which will be delivered to the consumer. The process has to be supervised to ensure compliance with chosen supply chain models and stipulated guidelines. The product should also be preserved in order to make sure it’s delivered in its untainted form to the consumer.
Physical Distribution
This covers the transportation and logistics department. Here the finished product is transported or moved to the consumer. For perishable products like meat, medical supplies, and food items; they are transported via new refrigerated vans to keep them fresh and preserved. Management here ensures this part of the supply chain process is not compromised either by inadequate temperature control or ineffective transport system.
Customer Service Management
Here, the relationship between the business and the customer comes into play. The management ensures that its customers are happy with its services and satisfied with the product. Through other incentives, this part of the supply chain management process also attracts new customers and expands its market.
Performance Evaluation
Here the performance of the supply chain is monitored and evaluated constantly to ensure there are no hitches and that top-quality service is delivered. Departments in the supply chain which are not performing well are optimised and beefed up. Here also covers the logistics metrics – how long it takes the used refrigerated vans to deliver, the operational cost per km, and the degree of coldness.
Supply Chain Resilience
Resilience in supply chain systems deals with its ability to adapt to change. With advancement in technology, and the birth of several regulations that limit the supply chain industries, companies within the industry need to adapt to these changes and spin them around to their favour. Most importantly, these companies need to be able to come together and form a stronger network that will help each of them thrive.
Supply Chain Network
The supply chain network is an upgrade to the traditional supply chain system. Thanks to technology, it is able to improve on practices, processes and activities leading to better business relationships, better customer satisfaction, and better overall supply chain performance. With the supply chain network, supply chain businesses can come together to form a larger network and improve each other.
Maintaining a Successful Supply Chain Network
In order to stay above competition and increase performance of the supply chain, companies need to be able to liaise together and form supply chain networks which will help each of them to thrive individually. Supply chain networks are typically made up of five key areas – production centres, external suppliers, distribution centres, transportation assets, and demand zones.
Improving Product Design
One major way of maintaining a successful supply chain network is for companies who operate within the industry to collectively improve on the product design. A good product design can set each supply chain network apart from the others, increasing overall demand and reducing reverse supply chain. The network can also be used to increase the performance of the product design when needed.
Partnering with Glacier Vehicles
Glacier Vehicles provides refrigerated vans for companies within the cold chain, supply chain, and logistics industry. Our forte lies in the transportation assets of the supply chain network. We provide you with freezer and fridge vans already optimised for the best refrigeration services using top temperature control, thermal insulation, and cooling technology. Our vehicles also cover a lot of ground (in mileage) with low operational costs per km and generous warranties – all at market competitive prices.
If you want to buy a used refrigerated van, a used freezer van, a new refrigerated van or a new freezer van call, Glacier Vehicles on 0208 668 7579.