Route to Market & Supply Chain Blog
Welcome to our blog!
We are passionate about Route to Market and supply chain management and we are delighted to share our thoughts with you. We would like to hear from you too, so please comment on our posts or contact us.
Dave Jordan
Recent Posts
FMCG Planning: a short history of technology advancement
Dave Jordan Wed, Jan 25, 2012
All major companies run some sort of ERP to support their business whether they are FMCG, pharma, brewing or indeed anyone who “makes stuff”. Many blue-chips have invested in big name software packages while others have gone for a cheap and cheerful…
Top 10 Recession Busting Supply Chain Resolutions for 2013
Dave Jordan Mon, Jan 23, 2012
This seems like déjà-vue all over again! Only a handful of working days into the New Year and I am hearing the same old complaints about the economy and business in general being poor. Of course this is true and does not look like changing any time…
Trying to run an FMCG company without a Supply Chain department?
Dave Jordan Mon, Jan 16, 2012
Ok, now back on line after the holidays and some demanding project work. One of the first catch-up meetings I have had this year was with an FMCG MD. No name of course, but this is a medium sized player with a broad European base and I have…
Lost for words operating in FMCG, Pharma Supply Chains?
Dave Jordan Mon, Nov 21, 2011
I published this some time ago and have just realised I did not follow up with the answers! Here they are, inserted in red text. People working in modern FMCG, Pharma Supply Chain use a whole host of initials and acronyms to get through the day.…
FMCG Route To Market – Ignoring it is Madness
Dave Jordan Tue, Oct 25, 2011
We are now into the final quarter of the year. Very few companies will be cruising along nicely and looking forward to the year-end results. If you did not review your Route To Market Distribution network and tasted sustainable success then some…
Who’d be an RTM Distributor for a Blue-Chip FMCG Company?
Dave Jordan Wed, Oct 12, 2011
Well, I would think long and hard about such a decision! Would you want the hassle and the lack of recognition and reward? An FMCG distributor’s lot is not always a happy one. Frequently and unfairly blamed for not reaching targets, yet the fault…
3 Steps to Address Q4 FMCG, Drinks Supply Chain Challenges
Dave Jordan Mon, Sep 26, 2011
How on earth did it get around to the end of September so quickly? One minute I was sniffling at our daughter’s school leaving speech and the next I see Christmas goods in shops. Who is in the mood to buy Christmas goods in September? Who plans for…
FMCG Cost Optimisation: Cause or Effect of Supply Chain Excellence?
Dave Jordan Tue, Sep 20, 2011
I recently had a lengthy discussion with someone from the Armed Forces who was preparing to lead his men into a currently dangerous part of the world. I enquired about the logistics of delivering people, arms and machines to the right place at the…
Sales & Operational Planning (S&OP) Village People Style
Dave Jordan Tue, Sep 13, 2011
You can, there's no need to feel down I said you can, pick your sales off the ground I said you can, stop running around There's no time to be unhappy You can, there's a process you know I said you can, when your sales don’t grow You know, you are…
It’s Deja Vue all over again for FMCG Supply Chains
Dave Jordan Tue, Aug 09, 2011
Do you remember the rash of take-overs, buy-outs and mergers just before last two rounds of EU accession? Locally owned CEE Companies that could not or would not meet the various requirement of EU accession were sold off to competitors and private…
Top Ten Summer Season Smash Hits of FMCG Drinks Producers
Dave Jordan Fri, Aug 05, 2011
Summer is just around the corner and drinks producers across the globe will be battling for an increased share of throat. Whatever refreshment you offer the challenge to ensure your product is taken off the shelf or out of the cooler remains very…
Successful S&OP - Can Jack Bauer save the plan?
Dave Jordan Mon, Jul 25, 2011
Previously on S&OP. The Demand Review has taken place. The Supply Review followed on time and a mutual understanding reached. Despite considerable challenges in securing a date in the diary for all the key players the Pre-S&OP happened without…
Shock, horror, probe - Use the same RTM Distributor as a Competitor?
Dave Jordan Mon, Jul 11, 2011
Impossible, over my dead body, not in a million years - the usual knee-jerk objections to any suggestion of getting too close to a competitive operation. Such comments are usually spouted by Marketing colleagues who are frankly living on agency…
Why you need to study your Manufacturing Factory Footprint
Dave Jordan Wed, Jun 29, 2011
The sharp, customer end of the extended supply chain continues to receive attention as companies implement and hone S&OP and RTM-style programmes. The multiple drivers include cost of course, but also customer service and a desire not to be out of…
Inventory/Spare Parts Management in FMCG, Brewing, Pharma Factories
Dave Jordan Sun, Jun 19, 2011
Well, I find it strange anyway. Some very large companies spend countless hours and cash in finding and securing a third party logistic provider (3PLP) to take great care of their finished goods assets. The performance of the chosen 3PLP is then…
