Optimising the supply chain

Issue 6 2021 Transport (Industry), Integrated Solutions, Logistics (Industry)

VSC Solutions has joined forces with Frontline Market Research to augment its strategic supply chain optimisation services with route-to-market and territory expansion capabilities.

“Covid-19’s disruption of global markets requires that companies review their supply chain strategy and its effect on their route-to-market and expansion objectives,” explains Grant Marshbank, CEO at VSC.

Due to South Africa’s skills gap, companies will be hard-pressed to assemble the required talents for this initiative. “VSC’s partnership with Frontline assures them access to a full complement of scarce expertise for a successful transition,” says Marshbank.

Supply chain optimisation

Covid’s impact has dramatically changed buying behaviours to the point that existing supply chain strategies are no longer effective. This demands urgent and sweeping review and overhaul of current models to meet new market requirements.

“Key trends include consumer attraction to high-value offerings, digital engagements and a major increase in remote working and e-commerce,” says Lukas Potgieter, COO at VSC. Global digitalisation has leapfrogged by five to 10 years across the board.

Vendors should determine the impact of digitalisation on their brick-and-mortar supply chain through extensive route-to-market analysis. This allows them to reconfigure and optimise it for new markets, segments and channels of operation.

They must then develop a comprehensive supply chain strategy that: realigns their sales force, sales objectives and sales performance metrics; implements distribution and other transport services tactics that cooperate seamlessly with sales processes; evaluates how current supply chain resources are affected; and creates a clear roadmap to the new model, logically and cost-effectively. It must also facilitate ongoing calibration and continuous improvement.

Opportunistic expansion

Following supply chain optimisation, companies must explore new markets for growth. A 2019 study listed two African countries in the top five fastest growing economies and five in the top 10. Economic growth is strongly linked to population growth. Africa has the fastest growing population in the world, at nearly double the rate of the next fastest growing continent. These pre-Covid statistics remain relevant to vendors seeking opportunities in a dormant global economy.

“It is imperative to perform in-depth research and market analysis up front to develop a robust route-to-market strategy and an effective roadmap,” says Steve Johnson, Growth & Innovations director at Frontline’s Strategic Projects division.

A good route-to-market strategy unlocks product and brand growth potential by establishing optimal market reach in terms of distribution and supply chain, executing a coherent channel strategy, achieving competitive point-of-buying execution and maintaining profitable customer management.

An effective route-to-market roadmap therefore demands integrated strategy formulation and cross-functional teamwork in execution. Marketing, sales, key accounts, logistics, supply chain and distribution must collaborate closely to achieve the business objective.

Most importantly, once established, organisations must commit to ongoing supply chain optimisation, as with their existing networks.

To improve their position during Covid, suppliers must remodel and optimise their supply chain strategy and expand opportunistically into untapped markets. However, the expertise needed is in short supply in Africa.

“Our partnership with Frontline provides these essential competencies, giving suppliers the intelligence and resource to win,” says Marshbank.




Share this article:
Share via emailShare via LinkedInPrint this page



Further reading:

Make BIG and COMPLEX small and manageable
neaMetrics Suprema AI & Data Analytics Surveillance Integrated Solutions
Traditional CCTV and access systems often operate separately, creating gaps in visibility and efficiency. TRASSIR and Suprema have partnered to develop an integrated platform that improves security, operations, and situational awareness.

Read more...
SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg
Arteco Global Africa Technews Publishing SMART Security Solutions Axis Communications SA neaMetrics Editor's Choice Surveillance Security Services & Risk Management Logistics (Industry) AI & Data Analytics
SMART Security Solutions hosted its annual SMART Surveillance Conference in Johannesburg in July, welcoming several guests, sponsors, and speakers for an informative and enjoyable day examining the evolution of the surveillance market.

Read more...
Securing South Africa’s logistics sector
Secutel Technologies Products & Solutions Surveillance Logistics (Industry)
Unlike traditional guarding services, Visual Verifier operates on an ‘Always On’ principle, ensuring continuous 24/7 coverage of warehouses, depots, transit hubs, and delivery points.

Read more...
Rethinking access control in high-risk logistics environments
ATG Digital Access Control & Identity Management Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry) Facilities & Building Management
South Africa’s logistics sector is under constant pressure, not only from external threats like hijackings and cargo theft, but also from internal vulnerabilities, operational blind spots, and limited support.

Read more...
Why DIY IoT does not scale
IoT & Automation Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry)
From fleet management to inventory management, and security monitoring to equipment maintenance, the Internet of Things (IoT) has become an integral part of business operations in almost every sector today.

Read more...
250 000 connected vehicles in Africa
Asset Management Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry) IoT & Automation
Wialon, the global fleet digitalisation platform created by software developer Gurtam, announced it has reached a record number of 250 000 fleet vehicles and assets connected in Africa.

Read more...
Acronis and Metrofile Cloud announce partnership
Infrastructure Integrated Solutions
Acronis has appointed Metrofile Cloud as its premier disaster recovery (DR) partner in southern Africa, combining Acronis' technologies with Metrofile Cloud's local expertise to deliver secure and adaptable disaster recovery solutions for businesses across the region.

Read more...
Managing stock efficiently and cost-effectively
Editor's Choice Asset Management Infrastructure Logistics (Industry)
Rina Redelinghuys, customer services executive at Cquential, a member of the Argility Technology Group, examines stock management across various industries, including retail, fast-moving consumer goods, food and dairy, automotive, apparel, industrial, accessories, paint and chemicals, and pharmaceuticals.

Read more...
Wialon announces integration with fleet maintenance and optimisation platform
News & Events Transport (Industry) Logistics (Industry)
Fleet management software platform integrates with a fleet maintenance and optimisation platform to support mutual customers for better workflows and deeper insights into fleet operations.

Read more...
Remote solar farm monitoring
Power Management Logistics (Industry)
Ensuring solar farm installations operate at peak efficiency is no small feat. Owners need real-time insights into their installation’s performance to meet energy delivery targets and manage billing.

Read more...










While every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of the information contained herein, the publisher and its agents cannot be held responsible for any errors contained, or any loss incurred as a result. Articles published do not necessarily reflect the views of the publishers. The editor reserves the right to alter or cut copy. Articles submitted are deemed to have been cleared for publication. Advertisements and company contact details are published as provided by the advertiser. Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd cannot be held responsible for the accuracy or veracity of supplied material.




© Technews Publishing (Pty) Ltd. | All Rights Reserved.