Research
Supply chains must adapt to meet changing business environments so we actively participate in original research to keep ahead in our field.
Our involvement in original research enables us to develop leading edge supply chain thinking and insights which are utilised in our consultancy assignments and applied to the benefit of our clients.
We incorporate our research findings into our client training and development services, offering our clients a unique opportunity to access a range of information not available elsewhere and ensuring they reap full benefit of research in the field.
Here are summaries of some of our recent detailed research into particular topics, some of which may be obtained as full reports on request.
The ITCO (International Tank Container Organisation) has funded a study undertaken by LCP Chairman Professor Alan Braithwaite on the carbon footprint of a tank container compared to Drums, Flexibag and Parcel tankers.
This has become an important issue for many chemical company customers and it is hoped that with this report ITCO members will be able to demonstrate that tank containers have the best carbon footprint for moving bulk liquid chemicals.
LCP Consulting works with Cranfield Student
This year we are pleased to be supporting yet another Cranfield University MSc student with their thesis. This project will research the applicability agent-based technology in the transport world, assess the results already achieved in pilots and model an existing transport operation.
Supply chain vulnerability self-assessment workbook
While companies would be wise to identify and plan for vulnerability and resilience in their supply chains, research has shown that there are few tools to provide analytical or methodological support for these tasks. As part of the Supply Chain Resilience Research for the DfT, this workbook has been prepared for the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Transportation to provide a methodology for both small and large companies, which will identify the vulnerabilities in their various supply chains and support the planning of mitigating and contingency actions.
Supply chain risk and vulnerability software evaluation
A study by the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management into supply chain vulnerability and resilience concluded that ‘a number of tools should be provided to assist organisations in the identification and management of supply chain risks’. Prepared for the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Transportation as part of the Supply Chain Resilience Research for the DfT, this report examines commercial software for evaluating supply chain vulnerability and provides a commentary on how it can be used.
Optimising supply chain performance and design in an uncertain world
The supply chains of major manufacturers such as Ford and Daimler Chrysler bring together complex bills of material to create products that give consumers the choice and availability they expect. This paper outlines the Schumann model, which addresses the potential for improving quality and cost-efficiency by optimising the supply chain to handle multi-level bills of material while accommodating uncertainty. As part of the European Union’s ESPRIT programme, the Schumann project was delivered by partners from Spain, Germany and LCP & Brunel University from the UK. Its objective was to develop and exploit the next generation of supply chain planning and optimisation software.
ELC survey 2003: Supply Chain Profitability: Is it driving your business?
Findings from the ELC survey 2003 confirmed that addressing supply chain issues is becoming increasingly important for improving profitability.
Creating a practical view across the complete operation was seen as key to gaining real improvement. Survey respondents recognised IT as important in helping them to get visibility of their supply chains. Improving understanding of the supply chain is on the agenda for most businesses, but collaboration between organisations is not yet firmly established. The survey also found that difficulties in exploiting opportunities for full supply chain integration are often related to the competitive corporate culture within organisations. Industry needs to overcome the fear of losing competitive advantage if the benefits of integration are to be realised.
ELC survey 2002: Channel Segmentation in the Consumer Packaged Goods
The ELC survey 2002 looked at how companies can operate multiple channel supply chains. It examined how channel segmentation can be supported by business functions and structure, sales and marketing strategies, reporting mechanisms, forecasting and technological capability. The survey found that channel segmentation is likely to increase, driven primarily by retailers’ need continually to improve their value proposition to customers. Consequently, firms need to develop a multi-channel supply chain strategy that will support this divergence of offer. They also need to build closer relationships with trading partners and develop trust both internally and externally. Only by focusing on all these issues can multi-channel operations be successfully developed.
Logistics in Asia Pacific: Growth Opportunities in a Rapidly Evolving Market place
Much has been written about the European and US logistics and supply chain industry, but less has been published about Asia Pacific. LCP carried out a high-level survey into logistics in Asia Pacific. It included a discussion of the potential for logistics development in the region, pan-Asian supply chain services, leading 3pl and 4pl players, relevant case studies, a country-by-country analysis and e-commerce developments.
