APS Fulfillment, Inc. Weighs in on Study Showing Best Ways to Manage Supply-Chain Risk

APS Fulfillment, Inc. (www.APSFulfillment.com), one of the nation’s leading cost-effective fulfillment and integrated direct mail marketing companies, is weighing in on a study showing the top ways brands can more effectively manage supply-chain management risk.

According to a recent study of more than 1,000 senior executives, 76% said that managing operational risks related to supply chain management was considered to be important or very important. At the same time, their approach to managing supply chain risk is fragmented between monitoring risks, building excess capacity, and defining capabilities to fill potential gaps. (Source: “Don’t Play it Safe When it Comes to Supply Chain Risk Management,” Accenture web site, July 2014; www.accenture.com/SiteCollectionDocuments/PDF/Accenture-operations-supply-chain-risk-management-megatrends.Report.pdf.)

“Efficient supply chain management is paramount to the success of any organization; it frames the way a company manages global operations, supply and demand volatility, and sustainability,” says Charles Aultman, president of APS Fulfillment, Inc. “Unfortunately, only a small percentage of executives have fulfillment practices in place that enable them to comprehensively manage supply chain risk.”

Aultman explains that disruptions in supply chain management can have a serious impact on both a company’s bottom line and reputation. During the holiday rush in late 2013, many orders placed online were not received when promised. While shipping companies took some of the blame, retailers were responsible for the majority of the delays, with most of the shortcomings attributed to internal processing errors or a failure to upgrade shipping.

Aultman adds that disruptive risks in the supply chain can cause a ripple effect throughout the entire process. While unexpected disruptions, such as extreme weather (flooding, fires, etc.), cannot be solved simply by having additional inventory, regular risks, such as fluctuations in demand, can be addressed by using an experienced fulfillment company.

“A brand’s reputation hinges on following through on what it promises. Left unaddressed, volatility and risk can pose a major threat to both a company’s long-term stability and its viability,” he notes. “To identify the best approach to supply chain management, a brand needs to define its risk management strategy and determine how to best execute it.”

To improve efficiencies and follow through on what brands promise to customers, more than half of the study respondents plan to increase investment in supply chain risk management by 20% or more within the next two years.

“Businesses looking to lower their supply chain’s exposure to risk and improve supply chain cost efficiency need to consider using a fulfillment company that is close to all major transportation hubs and features state-of-the-art facilities, accurate and fast pick-and-pack, real-time shipping, and a reliable customer service team,” Aultman concludes.

APS Fulfillment, Inc. is one of the United States’ leading cost-effective fulfillment and integrated direct mail marketing companies, offering affordable and real-time fulfillment services to small, medium, and large companies. Its state-of-the-art technology provides turnkey solutions for high-volume perfect-match mailings, personalized direct mail, snap-pak mailers, postcards, and triple-tabbed booklets. More information on APS Fulfillment, Inc. is available by visiting the firm’s web site at www.APSFulfillment.com or by calling 954-582-7450.