Global supply chains are intricate networks that span multiple countries and continents, involving a multitude of processes, from procurement to distribution. The complexity is further compounded by varying local standards and regulations, making standardization a critical need. The United Nations Standard Products and Services Code (UNSPSC) provides a universal classification framework that is essential for streamlining these complex processes and facilitating seamless international operations. Benefits of UNSPSC UNSPSC serves as a global language for businesses, ensuring that products ..read more

  Downtime – the dreaded halt in production that can cripple a manufacturing operation. It’s more than just an inconvenience; it’s a hidden cost that can eat away at your profits. A recent study revealed that nearly 82% of businesses have experienced unexpected downtime in the past three years, with the average incident lasting four hours and costing a staggering $2 million. The impact goes beyond just financial losses – downtime can disrupt customer deliveries, delay critical projects, and erode trust with clients. The Potential Culprits One major factor is neglecting preventive maintena ..read more

  It’s no secret that manufacturing and supply chain organizations are constantly in pursuit of a greater degree of efficiency. This is the key to remaining competitive in both increasingly contentious markets. It’s also no secret that attaining a higher degree of efficiency is harder than it looks. Supply chain organizations have faced disruption from multiple angles, with decentralized distribution, competitors with a higher level of digitalization, and the deglobalization of trade causing them to fall behind. Similarly, manufacturers are attempting to ride out the silver tsunami and th ..read more

  There are a lot of terms used by organizations to describe their mid to long range strategic planning discipline.  Whether your organization calls it Integrated Business Planning (IBP), Sales and Operations Planning (S&OP), Sales, Inventory and Operations Planning (SIOP) or something else, the key message is that abbreviations are not important – results are. Strong strategic planning discipline orchestrates sales plans, operations constraints, and financial objectives while giving guidance to short-term scheduling for execution. At USC, we call this discipline SIOP due to the ..read more

  In today’s competitive business landscape, keeping labor costs under control is a constant concern. However, this pursuit of cost-efficiency must never come at the expense of safety. Here’s how businesses can strike a balance between these two priorities. Standardization and Management Standardized labor processes are the cornerstone of a safe and productive work environment. By establishing clear, well-documented procedures for each task, companies minimize confusion and errors, while also ensuring consistent quality. This translates to increased efficiency, reduced rework, and ultimat ..read more

  Effective risk management, strategic planning, and operational excellence are crucial for minimizing NPV losses and maximizing project value. Recent studies and industry reports suggest that a significant portion of mining projects may face challenges that impact net present value (NPV) negatively. Estimates range from 20% to 60% or more, highlighting the inherent risks and complexities involved in the mining industry. These challenges may include cost overruns, schedule delays, geological uncertainties, regulatory changes, and market fluctuations, among others. In fact, in other report ..read more

  Warehouse operations are critical to any manufacturing business. From holding inventory to delivering items, the process must be as swift and efficient as possible. Earlier practices such as document management and communication have been a significant step, but growth and progression in the supply chain call for more. The rise of the Internet has been a key event in improving warehouse operations. As technology progresses, there are even more ways to optimize the supply chain, and ensure every item or employee is included. The Need to Streamline Warehouse Operations Warehouse operation ..read more

  Mining and metals companies are implementing a range of strategies to enhance asset management and equipment reliability. In today’s market, many senior executives leading natural resource companies hesitate in making additional capital investment and instead focus on what can be done to squeeze higher performance out of current assets. Consequently, companies are increasingly looking for ways to improve performance and returns with existing infrastructure. The key approach to this challenge lies in upgrading and improving asset management capabilities. Many organizations have failed to ..read more

  “Time is really the only capital that any human being has, and the only thing he can’t afford to lose.”  – Thomas Edison There are many skills a quality leader should have — good communication skills being one of the most important — but perhaps the second most important skill that can help elevate the workplace is time management. Why Time Management is Such an Important Skill for Leaders in Business Time management is about learning how to use time wisely and manage your employees effectively. When you push too fast too hard to get things done, it leads to burnout, which is the a ..read more

  The energy and utilities industry is in the midst of change. Businesses are facing pressure from the government and consumers alike for more renewable energy while also balancing that with grid reliability and traditional energy sources. Meanwhile, electricity demands are expected to skyrocket. Other wild cards are supply chain disruption, labor shortages and more. But within those challenges, we always see opportunities. Let’s take a closer look into the outlook for energy. Continued focus on renewables. The demand for clean energy will continue to rise. Governmental regulations are ma ..read more