M33 Webinar: Prepapring for the Upcoming Capacity Crisis

Industry experts are predicting carrier pricing will rebound this year across both the TL and LTL sectors. Companies that take a proactive approach to this dynamic market will best mitigate the pricing impacts on their supply chain. We held a webinar to educate our clients, prospects and business associates about what industry-leading companies are doing today to better position themselves for the coming crisis. You can watch it here:


If you have any questions or comments about the issues and recommendations in this presentation, please feel free to contact us.

M33 Profiled by Armstrong & Associates

M33's collaborative logistics network merits praise from third-party analysts

M33 Integrated Solutions was recently profiled by Armstrong & Associates, a respected third-party in the field of logistics. The profile concluded:

While it is small in comparison to other 3PLs with supply chain network management expertise, M33 has found a niche in focusing on mid-market customers with complex supply chains. As companies continue to find ways to reduce logistics costs in the current economy, outsourcing functions to 3PLs for improved transportation management is an increasing prevalent strategy. With its capabilities, M33 will continue to benefit from this trend.

Click here to read the whole thing.

How's Your Risk Management Strategy?

There’s no question that companies will come out of this recession leaner than they were going in, but the competitive advantage will go to those companies that used the economic slowdown to eliminate waste and reduce risk:

The outcomes of inadequate risk management span the gamut from financial losses to a loss of customer goodwill that may well threaten the long-term viability and survival of a firm. Today, with an increasingly unforgiving regulatory environment and legislation such as Sarbanes-Oxley that requires business technology systems to function without error, executives need to be concerned about risk management more than ever before. (Baseline Magazine, 5/5/2009)

Is your company doing everything it can to reduce waste and minimize risk in the distribution process? Is your competitor's?

Don't Overlook the Soft Dollar Savings

You’re probably using this time to weigh the costs and benefits of your company’s operations, but are you analyzing all of the fixed costs?

Analytical and precise by nature, CFOs are famously averse to anything that can be deemed "squishy." Subjectivity, vagueness, wiggle room, these are qualities that CFOs routinely attempt to expunge from budgets, briefings, and business plans. They seek clarity as relentlessly as Sidewinder missiles seek heat, and that's generally to their credit.

That may be one reason why many tend to regard "human capital" as a euphemism for "personnel" or "labor" rather than a legitimate strategic issue. It's not that CFOs don't regard the collective capabilities of their workforces as critically important — they simply aren't sure what they're supposed to do about it. As a result, many leave the "soft" side of human capital to the human-resources department and fixate on the salary, benefits, and other costs associated with all those bodies. (CFO Magazine, 2/1/09)

Lean Manufacturing was forged in similar economic times. It’s been our experience that transportation departments aren’t as lean as they could be. External partnerships and technology can often minimize redundancies while improving customer service and cutting costs. Are you analyzing those operations as thoroughly as you should be?

Proactive companies are going to come out of this recession in a better position than their competitors. Will your company have that competitive advantage?