In uncertain economic times, most companies deal with projected shortfalls in one of two ways; they either increase sales or they cut costs.  Ideally, you would want to do both.  Forward-thinking managers often re-examine their business practices and consider new technologies that may offer relief from operational pain.  They consider new suppliers and more cost-effective methods of production and packaging.  They implement new policies intended to streamline production and minimize risk.  And at the end of the process, they often realize significant cost savings due to their 'leaner' manufacturing practices. 

What amazes those of us in the logistics industry is that these same managers all but forget about their product once it leaves the dock.  As long as their customers are happy, they’re happy.  But every company’s transportation operations presents an opportunity to reduce costs and improve customer service levels. 

Unfortunately, transportation is typically viewed as a necessary evil by most companies.  But the recent volatility of fuel prices has once again elevated transportation to a boardroom topic.  Many executives have chosen to view it as an extension of operations, and have taken steps to streamline those processes as well.  Many of them have asked us to help them with that endeavor.