Using supply chain consultants can bring many benefits to your business. This article will outline what a supply chain consultant could do for you and your company.

Profit

Of course the aim of all businesses is to make a profit. Using a consultant can help you maximise your business income and can often make the money you pay them a very worthwhile investment.

Due to their industry specialism and sector knowledge a consultant can help you:

o Work out where you’re spending too much on your operations and how to cut down
o See how your expenditure compares with other like-for-like businesses
o Negotiate with third party suppliers
o Calculate the correct stock levels

A Fresh Look

When you’re too close to your business, it can be hard to take an objective view of the issues affecting it. Using a consultant can bring a fresh pair of eyes to the situation. The consultant will be able to give you unbiased and informed advice on issues such as:

o Strengths
o Weaknesses
o Threats
o New opportunities

An Overall View

A consultant will be able to see the big picture when it comes to your supply chain. They will be able to advise on what effect a tweak in a link of the chain in one place could mean elsewhere, and advise you on the best strategy that will benefit your business as a whole.

A specialist consultant will also be able to advise on the best long-term strategy for your business; one that will fit in with your overall business goals and plans.

A logistics consultancy may also be more knowledgeable in current industry best practice than you due to their constant immersion in the industry. They can offer ideas or innovations that you would never have considered or come across otherwise.

Training

A consultancy specialist can also transfer some of their experience to your staff through training, equipping your business to keep the supply chain as cost-effective and efficient as possible in future. Supply Chain Advisors

Areas of expertise

A consultant can help you at all areas of the supply chain. For example:

o Suppliers
o Purchasing
o Production
o Inventory
o Warehousing
o Distribution
o Retailers
o Customers

Total Logistics is an independent team of supply chain consultants [http://www.total-logistics.eu.com/] specialising in all aspects of commercial supply chains.