Shifting centres of gravity
All supply chains have a ‘centre of gravity’ determined by the pull of demand and supply factors. The relative costs and availability of materials and the costs of moving them to the point of final demand will determine where the optimal locations for factories, distribution centres and other value-adding activities should be.
Because of the uncertainties that surround the future patterns of demand and supply and the potential changes in input costs such as energy and other basic commodities, it becomes imperative that any decisions to redesign supply chains reflect the need to maximise flexibility. Ideally, the supply chain of the future will be capable of adapting quickly to any shifts that might occur on both the ...
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