Leveraging This Overlooked Supply Chain Opportunity Improves Efficiency

Editor’s Note: Megan Ray Nichols is a freelance technical writer and editor of Schooled By Science.

Supply chain logistics often focus on offsite storage and transportation. These are incredibly important aspects, of course, but it does overlook one thing that can be very effective — on site storage and basic assembly.

It sounds like common sense, but a lot of small businesses don't take advantage of the space they have. Supply chain errors are pretty much a given for any business. And your supply will differ from the consumer demand at some point as well — that's just part of doing business. You can be prepared for both an undersupply and an oversupply, simply by taking stock of the space you already have.

Once you have a space on site that you can work with, you need to start stocking. The key is to have enough of the essentials and to avoid filling it up with stuff you really don't need. This kind of space management is essential to having a functional supply chain and minimizing potential problems. Luckily, it's pretty easy to do.

The key is to involve the supply chain manager with the on-site store supervisor to look at the available storage space. When those two people are communicating clearly, it's easier for both of them to plan for incoming shipments and make alterations based on previous and expected sales.

Industries that have seasonal fluctuations also have seasonal challenges, and some of them will have weather-based demand changes. Communication between the supply chain and store management can help offset those challenges.

On its own, the supply chain can only do so much. It's important to work together with the rest of the organization to make sure the actual supplies get where they're supposed to go.

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