The time it takes a supplier to provide the products its customers want is by far the most important service component of any supply chain. Short lead-time is the purpose of a supply chain. Compressing it requires constant scrutiny.
Lead-times even drive market share. Everything else being equal the relationship looks like this:
Notice that lead-times are more important in lead-time competitive markets; the difference between 10 and 11 days is 10% while the difference between one and two days is 100%.
Short, high market share lead-times are the result of good supply chain design—properly placed plants, warehouses and stores; releasing order quickly; high inventory fill rates; fast pick, pack and shipping and using the right transportation modes. All of these are available everyone.
How competitive are your lead-times? How much of your market share is a result of your lead-times? Call us at (312) 346-5080 and let’s talk about how effective supply chain design can reduce your lead-times and increase your market share.