Supply Chain Consulting

A business should be working toward implementing all the best practices that are relevant to them.  But, it is difficult to specifically say which best practices your company should be using without and assessment of your business.  Typically there is maturing in Supply Chain capabilities and change that needs to happen within an organization to drive best practices implementations.

Some of the broad best practices that we see companies implement are:

• Effective internal and external planning
• Efficient Inventory Management techniques
• Continuous Improvement teams / culture
• Utilizing Lean principles to eliminate waste
• Identifying bottlenecks that slow process throughput
• Effectively managing risk
• Creating resilient supply chains
• Using data to monitor supply chain performance

We recommend using cascading KPIs that align with the business strategy. This allows companies to monitor the health of how their logistics and supply chain operations are working to meet the expectations of the business. By having cascading KPIs, companies can also do root cause analysis on why their supply chains may not be performing as desired. In addition to employing cascading KPIs, it is essential to leverage sophisticated analytics to make smarter, data-driven decisions that not only support these metrics but also enhance overall supply chain performance. Our expertise in data analytics enables businesses to improve customer experiences, reduce emissions, and achieve better outcomes overall. By integrating data-driven insights into every aspect of supply chain management, companies can optimize their operations and drive significant improvements across all operational metrics.

Re-shoring and near-shoring are typically complex supply chain activities which typically will take months to years depending on the complexity.  We believe that over the next 10 years, billions of dollars of manufacturing will back to North America.

We believe that bringing manufacturing back to North America will provide significant economic and supply chain benefits to companies who pursue this avenue.

Visigistics offers a comprehensive range of Mexico Supply Chain Services to streamline business operations. These services encompass various stages of the supply chain, facilitating efficient and cost-effective operations. Some key Nearshore Manufacturing Services provided by Visigistics include:

1. Sourcing and Procurement: Visigistics assists in sourcing and procuring the necessary materials and components for manufacturing operations, ensuring a reliable supply chain.
2. Inventory/Warehouse Management: Visigistics optimizes inventory and warehouse management to minimize costs and maximize efficiency. Through advanced technology and expertise, they provide accurate tracking, efficient storage, and effective inventory control.
3. Finished Product Distribution: Visigistics offers distribution services for finished products, ensuring timely delivery to customers. They employ well-established distribution networks and logistics management to meet customer demands efficiently.
4. Transportation: Visigistics handles transportation services, providing seamless connectivity between suppliers, manufacturing facilities, and distribution centers. They employ reliable transportation partners for efficient movement of goods, resulting in reduced lead times and increased customer satisfaction.
5. Customs Brokerage: Visigistics specializes in customs brokerage services to facilitate smooth cross-border trade. They handle documentation, compliance, and regulatory requirements, ensuring seamless customs clearance for hassle-free import and export operations.

With Visigistics' extensive Mexico Supply Chain Services, businesses can rely on a reliable and streamlined supply chain, enabling improved efficiency, reduced costs, and enhanced customer satisfaction.

Nearshoring and reshoring, a growing trend among companies, has brought about significant implications for supply chain management and logistics. As companies seek to tackle the challenges associated with higher labor costs in China and the complexities of managing a global supply chain, many are opting to relocate their operations closer to their home countries. However, this shift raises important questions regarding how nearshoring and restoring will affect the overall management of supply chains and logistics.

One notable impact of nearshoring and restoring on supply chain management is the potential for increased control and reduced complexity. When companies operate in multiple global locations, managing a complex network of suppliers, distributors, and transportation becomes quite challenging. By nearshoring or reshoring, companies can consolidate their operations and bring them under a single, more easily managed supply chain. This simplification can lead to improved oversight, more efficient coordination, and better overall control over the supply chain process.

Additionally, nearshoring and restoring can have a significant impact on logistics. Reducing the distance between production facilities and customers can result in shorter transportation routes and faster delivery times. This enables companies to be more responsive to customer demands, reduces lead times, and minimizes potential disruptions in the supply chain caused by long shipping routes or unforeseen events. Furthermore, nearshoring and restoring can allow for greater flexibility in adjusting inventory levels and responding to changing market dynamics, ultimately leading to improved efficiency and customer satisfaction.

However, it is essential to recognize that nearshoring and restoring can also introduce new challenges and complexities to supply chain management and logistics. For instance, relocating production facilities may require identifying new suppliers or renegotiating contracts with existing ones. Additionally, companies must consider the potential impact on their workforce, as nearshoring or reshoring may lead to adjustments in labor requirements and workforce restructuring.

As companies continue to explore nearshoring and reshoring as options, a comprehensive understanding of its effects on supply chain management and logistics becomes crucial for making informed decisions.

U.S. companies are increasingly opting to shift their supply chains from China to Mexico due to a variety of reasons. One prominent factor is the efficiency of ground transport. Unlike China, where goods are predominantly transported by ocean or air, Mexico offers the advantage of importing goods via ground transport in a matter of days or even hours. This saves both time and cost, making Mexico a more attractive location for manufacturing companies.

Another contributing factor is the favorable customs procedures between the United States and Mexico. The U.S. provides programs like FAST and C-TPAT, which enable expedited customs processing for U.S.-Mexico trade. These programs, initiated after 9/11, offer benefits to trusted drivers and shippers who have met specific requirements and undergone background checks. Such streamlined customs processes are not available for U.S.-China trade, giving Mexico an edge as a more efficient partner for companies.

Additionally, Mexico provides a transparent landscape with modern transportation options. Manufacturers can easily arrange door-to-door transportation services, including truck procurement, customs clearance, insurance, financing, and reporting between the U.S. and Mexico. This allows companies to focus on their core expertise instead of logistics and reduces the need for extensive in-house shipping and logistics teams.

An advantage specific to Mexico is the small language barrier between the two countries. Spanish, which is the second-most common language spoken in the U.S., facilitates effective communication with Mexican partners. This ease of communication makes it simpler to collaborate with bilingual staff and vendors and further streamlines supply chain operations.

Considering these factors, U.S. companies are increasingly relocating their supply chains from China to Mexico to benefit from faster and cost-effective ground transportation, efficient customs procedures, modern transportation options, and the advantage of a shared language.

Yes, Visigistics does provide warehousing and storage services to its customers. With our efficient system, you can conveniently drop-ship your products directly to your customers, and we guarantee quick delivery from the moment the order is received at our facility. Additionally, we offer the option to ship bulk orders back to your operations or directly to retail outlets. At Visigistics, we understand the importance of reliable warehousing and storage solutions in facilitating smooth business operations.

To enhance supply chain performance and minimize complexity, it is crucial to engage in comprehensive planning and strategic actions. Consider partnering with a specialist in supply chain management consultancy who can deliver practical solutions tailored to your most challenging issues. Such experts bring deep industry knowledge and experience working with top-notch supply chain professionals. They can help pinpoint key areas for improvement by leveraging advanced processes and in-depth informational insights. Furthermore, an emphasis on effective change management can foster better operational outcomes. Look to optimize services, elevate efficiency, cut back on emissions, and trim down extraneous expenses throughout all stages of your supply chain, from the initial planning phase through to final execution.

Strategic planning is essential for improving a supply chain because it provides a structured approach to evaluate existing operations and resources, allowing for a detailed understanding of current strengths and weaknesses. By conducting a comprehensive assessment, strategic planning helps identify key areas where enhancements are needed. It then facilitates the development of a clear, quantifiable roadmap that outlines how to achieve the desired improvements. This roadmap serves as a step-by-step guide to reach an optimized state, ensuring that every action taken is aligned with overarching business objectives.

Harnessing procurement expertise significantly enhances strategies across various aspects of the supply chain by optimizing multimodal capacity, improving warehousing solutions, and effectively managing supplier relationships. By analyzing data and leveraging technology, procurement specialists help companies adjust their capacity strategy to strike a balance between cost, service quality, type of equipment, and transit times. This deep understanding facilitates the development of sophisticated purchasing strategies that not only meet logistical needs but also improve overall efficiency and reduce costs in multimodal transport solutions. Additionally, these strategies refine warehousing operations by ensuring that storage capabilities align perfectly with supply chain requirements, thereby improving inventory management and reducing overheads. In the realm of supplier management, procurement expertise enables the creation of robust networks that can meet demand reliably and sustainably, ensuring a smooth supply chain flow and fostering stronger business relationships.

To support the achievement of growth and sustainability objectives, our supply chain services encompass a range of strategic solutions. We focus on detailed modeling of supply chain processes, optimization of existing workflows, and thorough analysis of operational components. Our team of experts tailors these services to meet specific business needs, delivering targeted recommendations that propel your strategic goals forward.