In this week’s edition of The Backorder: Tesla develops revolutionary car manufacturing process The Dos & Don’ts of managing supply chain risks Insights from a water management solutions manufacturer Job opportunities from Calvin Klein, Rocket Lab, and more In supply chain headlines Tesla to launch never-seen-before production process. The new “unboxing” technique for building electric cars from the inside out – significantly reducing reducing costs and increasing production speed – could change the industry for good, writes Electrive. Easter lifts UK retail sales despi ..read more

The manufacturing industry thrives on efficiency gains. Any opportunity to minimise waste and reduce your business costs means greater revenue, higher profits, and happier customers. Just-in-time (JIT) manufacturing is a production management approach that helps you lift efficiency and streamline your operational processes. Here’s how it works. What is just-in-time manufacturing? Just-in-time manufacturing is a strategy that directly aligns raw-material supply deliveries with production schedules to increase efficiency and decrease waste. This system requires accurate demand forecasting and ..read more

Ecommerce software allows online businesses to accurately receive and fulfil customer orders. It’s designed to streamline your processes and improve overall business efficiency – and it comes in many forms. Here we look at how ecommerce software works and the different types of ecommerce software – and compare features, reviews, and pricing to determine the best platforms currently on the market. What is ecommerce software? Ecommerce software refers to specialised applications and platforms designed to facilitate online business transactions. Functionality varies greatly between different sy ..read more

In this week’s edition of The Backorder, you can find: The latest in global supply chain news 5 handy tactics for widening your profit margins Advice from the Director of an edible seaweeds brand Job opportunities from Frucor Suntory, Tails.com, and more In supply chain headlines Victoria seeks to cut down on Australian waste with reusable crates initiative. The Guardian reports that the Victoria Unboxed project will hope to eliminate invisible waste from supply chains by replacing cardboard produce boxes with reusable plastic crates. US manufacturing activity expands for first time since ..read more

Today, customers expect quick and accurate deliveries from vendors. And if you’re ordering goods for your business, you probably expect the same from yours. To measure how effective a company is at delivering complete orders on time, you can use the aptly named On Time in Full (OTIF) metric. This article explains what it is, how to measure and improve it, and how to improve your OTIF rate. What is On Time in Full? OTIF meaning On Time in Full (OTIF) is a supply chain management metric that tracks a supplier’s ability to meet delivery promises. It does so by measuring the efficiency and accura ..read more

In this issue, we look at: The latest in global supply chain news Manufacturing tips from a safety gear founder 3 simple ways to cut inventory carrying costs Job opportunities from Rolls-Royce, Apple, and more In supply chain headlines New EU due diligence law altered to persuade Italy, Germany. After Rome and Berlin withdrew support for a recent law aimed at making companies liable for their suppliers’ wrongdoings, the EU are attempting to draw them back in with a watered-down alternative of the original bill. UK and US retailers struggle with cautious consumers. A recent report found th ..read more

Your contribution margin shows you how much revenue is left after you’ve covered your variable costs, and how much is available to cover your fixed costs, such as rent, utilities, and payroll. The contribution margin formula is essential for making the right decisions for your business – especially when creating budgets, accounting for inventory, and pricing products. Here we explore how the contribution margin is used in modern business, how to calculate it using the contribution margin formula, and a few best-practice strategies for improving your contribution margin. What is the contributi ..read more

In this issue: The latest in global supply chain news Insights from an ecommerce niche-market pioneer Tips for reducing transportation costs Job opportunities from Sony, Patagonia, and more In supply chain headlines Food & Beverage sector sees continued growth and innovation. The F&B industry added 1.4 million new jobs last year, while the use of AI in restaurants shot up by 31.61% according to data from the 2024 StartUs Food & Beverage Report. Over 1/3 of manufacturers struggling with data. A recent Hexagon report found that although manufacturers are increasingly data-focuse ..read more

Perishable goods are a business risk. They represent an investment which may not always turn into a sale, and this can harm your cash flow. Effective perishable goods inventory management will save your organisation money by minimising inventory waste and reducing your carrying costs. This guide explores all you need to know about perishable goods inventory. What are perishable goods? Perishable goods, also known as perishable goods inventory, are products that expire or degrade over time. Commonly it refers to food, drink, and medicinal products. However, a variety of other items are also co ..read more

Modern businesses must always be looking for new ways to optimise processes and eliminate unnecessary costs. This is the secret to sustainable growth and higher profits. Consolidation warehousing is a strategy that allows your business to reduce transportation costs and improve customer service by combining shipments from various sources into a single truckload. This guide outlines what a consolidation warehouse looks like, the benefits of consolidating your logistics processes, and answers all the questions you may have about warehouse consolidation in today’s business landscape. What is a ..read more