Tuesday, August 28, 2007

How Green Is Your Supply Chain?


Will environmental issues force supply chain managers to think the unthinkable? That topic was debated at a recent conference hosted by consulting firm SCALA Logistics Consulting. For instance, John Perry, SCALA's managing director, suggests companies need to ask themselves these key questions:

* Would you put the environment before cost benefits?

* Would you collaborate with competitors?

* Would you reduce customer demand for the benefit of the environment?

Chris Robinson, international supply chain manager with UK-based food manufacturer Tetley Tea, says, "We should not be ashamed of saying that we are looking to make a profit. But we must act in a responsible way."

One of those ways, he suggests, is to collaborate more closely with supply chain partners. "In the UK today the demand is to supply goods on an as-required basis to the various infrastructures established by retailers in the constant search for economy and efficiency. Is this environmentally driven? The opportunities for logistics collaboration are immense and these need to be fostered, not imposed."

See full Article.