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From escalating fuel costs and inflation to declining volumes and labor shortages, today's parcel markets face multifaceted difficulties. Yet this only scratches the surface. Businesses also wrestle with intricate operational complexities as parcel sizes increase and delivery routes become more challenging. The cherry on top? Consumer expectations for flawless service — including same-day and next-day delivery — are surging, adding further pressure to these already strained operations.
However, despite this never-ending high-stakes game of operational complexities and evolving challenges, this article is not another "woe is me" doom and gloom piece. Instead, it discusses how logistics network optimization can transform chaos into order and turn headwinds into tailwinds.
How exactly does this happen? Why is data-driven decision-making indispensable in ensuring customer satisfaction in such an environment?
We will address these questions and delve deep into the "hows and whys" of logistics network optimization as shippers worldwide search for answers to the parcel industry’s questions.
As parcel markets grapple with unavoidable operational complexities, major carriers such as UPS and FedEx are restructuring and cutting services due to declining volumes. These changes and workforce reductions exacerbate existing supply chain strains from labor shortages and unrest. Moreover, this upheaval destabilizes traditionally reliable capacity, pushing shippers to diversify options and manage unfamiliar complexity. So without further ado, let's explore and better understand these operational shifts and their impact.
Confronted by diminishing volumes, carriers like FedEx and UPS have their backs against the wall, curtailing services and overhauling operations.
First, FedEx is implementing a bold consolidation plan led by CEO Raj Subramaniam. By bringing FedEx Express, FedEx Ground, and FedEx Services together under the Federal Express Corporation, he calls it “an organizational evolution" reflecting "how we represent ourselves in the marketplace – focused on flexibility, efficiency, and intelligence."
Indeed, this restructured organization aims for considerable cost savings, targeting $6 billion by 2027. In addition, the plan signifies major operational transformations, primarily emphasizing the increased use of rail transportation. Aiming to increase rail miles from 8% to 15% and decrease Pacific Ocean flights by 30%, it's clear that FedEx is making a strategic pivot illustrating its commitment to efficiency.
On another front, shifting from a "Better, not Bigger" approach to one that’s "Better and Bolder,” UPS introduces a novel "Logistics as a Service" (LaaS) strategy to navigate the current parcel environment. CEO Carol Tomé called it a "five-pillared approach" in UPS’s Q3 2022 earnings call. This strategic framework includes Delivery Density, achieved via a partnership with CommerceHub for upstream cart integration; End-to-End Visibility; Financial Services through UPS Capital; Advanced Capabilities to help shippers optimize supply chains; and finally, Returns — an initiative to bolster their reverse logistics service.
Labor shortages add another layer of difficulty to an already strained supply chain fraught with operational complexities. Carriers and shippers have enough to worry about, but according to FreightWaves, the primary concern for supply chain executives is securing and retaining qualified workers. This challenge has ignited a surge in technology investments to improve productivity and appeal to the evolving workforce.
A striking 74% of 2,000 supply chain leaders plan to increase their technology spending in 2023, with some forecasting a rise of up to 24%. These investments are in response to labor shortages and uncertainties surrounding capacity. In turn, these challenges have led shippers to diversify their options and prepare for increased operational complexity.
Amid these challenges, logistics network optimization has emerged as a crucial tool. It offers the potential to streamline processes and adapt to the shifting market dynamics. In the face of escalating operational complexity, an estimated 87% of industry leaders foresee a significant increase in spending on logistics network optimization software over the next five years. Moreover, by 2027, it's anticipated that autonomous, connected, and optimized logistics networks will become standard, reflecting a substantial transformation in the modern supply chain.
The prospect of labor disputes at UPS and FedEx injects even more uncertainty into the shipping sector.
UPS, for one, faces intense negotiations with the Teamsters. With risks of a strike that could drastically disrupt its share of 24% of U.S. parcel volume, Teamsters Union President Sean O’Brien firmly states, "We won’t extend negotiations by a single day," underscoring this threat.
In parallel, FedEx has its own labor issues. For example, FedEx Express pilots, represented by ALPA, are preparing for a strike authorization vote, a move Chris Norman, chair of the FedEx ALPA MEC, describes as the pilots’ readiness "to go the distance to achieve the contract we have earned."
Amid escalating operational complexities, shippers worldwide have found a potential solution by the name of logistics network optimization. Logistics network optimization strategically designs and manages supply chains to streamline operations, curb costs, and uplift overall performance. By adopting this strategic method, shippers can brace themselves for unforeseen shifts by making informed decisions and keeping their businesses resilient. Here's how in further detail.
Logistics network optimization is a strategic tool that significantly enhances the efficiency of supply chain operations. By carefully selecting the most suitable transport modes, carriers, services, and shipping locations, it meticulously tailors the logistics network to fulfill unique business goals.
Notably, the real strength of logistics network optimization lies in its ability to align the supply chain with overall business objectives. Consequently, this alignment allows businesses to effectively navigate operational challenges, leading to substantial cost savings, improved customer experience, and business growth.
Furthermore, integrating technology, primarily through logistics network optimization software, strengthens this process. It equips businesses with essential tools that streamline operations and enable data-driven decision-making.
Logistics network optimization has emerged as a beacon of business resilience amid shifting markets and escalating complexities. It enables shippers to tackle operational challenges head-on, leveraging robust tools and techniques to secure their logistics and supply chain processes.
A significant benefit of logistics network optimization is its ability to optimize carrier selection. By leveraging logistics optimization software, shippers can choose the best carriers based on service, cost, and reliability while eliminating subjective bias.
In addition, logistics network optimization nurtures robust relationships with carriers, providing an early warning system for potential disruptions and enhancing supply chain resilience.
Thus, such meticulous selection contributes to seamless operations amidst challenges, paving the way for numerous advantages. These include cost reduction, improved flexibility, and strengthened security, collectively contributing to a resilient and optimized logistics network.
Logistics network optimization bolsters resilience by aiding in the reduction of transportation spend. Optimization software allows businesses to uncover data-driven insights and reshape their logistics networks for substantial cost savings.
Logistics network optimization can help in this regard by incorporating several strategies. For instance, it can help with strategically relocating warehouses, consolidating shipments, and astute negotiations for improved carrier rates. In addition, it can assist in employing the most fuel-efficient vehicles and implementing demand-based planning to save costs and minimize excess inventory.
Building resilience for tomorrow is made via strategic foresight, efficient operations, and proactive planning, all enabled by logistics network optimization software.
The bedrock of reinforcing resilience lies in risk identification and mitigation. Here, optimized logistics enable supply diversification, promote stability in transportation networks, and establish robust disaster recovery plans.
Furthermore, responding quickly to disruptions, made possible through a comprehensive understanding of a logistics network, is vital to resilience. This flexibility allows for timely adjustments such as rerouting shipments, temporarily closing facilities, or increasing inventory based on demand.
Finally, a strategic recovery plan, underpinned by logistics network optimization, minimizes the impact of disruptions. Whether planning facility repairs, initiating rehiring, or reconnecting with customers, a well-thought-out plan enhances resilience against future challenges.
Shippers can strategically navigate the intricacies of a turbulent parcel environment by harnessing the power of logistics network optimization. This comprehensive approach nurtures operational expansion and arms businesses with invaluable insights, equipping them to excel in a demanding marketplace.
One prominent player in this domain is Intelligent Audit. With solutions tailored for Shippers & 3PLs, their diverse services range from freight audit and recovery to business intelligence, analytics, accounting, and machine learning. However, one of their standout offerings is logistics network optimization, which delivers benefits such as carrier selection optimization, transportation cost reduction, and future resilience.
Through this unique approach, their clients have reportedly realized substantial savings, with an average 12-18% reduction in total shipping costs.
So why wait? There's no better time to take action than now. Empower your logistics network, elevate your operations, and start your journey with Intelligent Audit today to unlock the potential that efficient, optimized logistics can provide.
Set up a call with one of our experts to discuss how Intelligent Audit can help your business uncover opportunities for cost reduction and supply chain improvements through automated freight audit and recovery, business intelligence and analytics, contract optimization, and more.
