The Art of Supply Chain Management
BY BOB KILL
Pop quiz: Is supply chain management a science or an art?
If you answered “both,” you’re right. While the science of the supply chain may seem more obvious—certain processes and methods must first be in place in order to effectively move product from point A to point B—it is the art of supply chain management that is arguably more important.
Last July, during an Enterprise Minnesota-sponsored event called “Managing Your Supply Chain,” we invited speakers from across the state—and the manufacturing landscape—to offer perspectives on the importance of effectively managing their supply chain. While the specifics and inner workings of companies remain diverse, one common theme united each manufacturer’s presentation: Manage your relationships, and the supply chain will fall into place.
A perfect example: Elk River-based Sportech grew from a one-room aftermarket snowmobile accessories supplier to one of the most respected leaders in the power sports industry by focusing energy and resources on creating a company culture and building relationships with suppliers and customers with similar values. Carlson recast his thoughts in an article that also appears in this magazine.
It sounds simple, but what Sportech knew from the beginning is that the importance of a shared vision throughout the supply chain cannot be underestimated. No matter where you fall on the supply chain, paying attention to relationships—from suppliers to OEMs to customers—will maximize your ability to do business and do it well. From another perspective, Rich Pogue, president and CEO of Remmele Engineering, described how he guides his company’s culture of relationships in a much more diverse and sophisticated assortment of customers.
It is our goal at Enterprise Minnesota to help Minnesota’s manufacturers compete, thrive and grow, and effective supply chain management is a part of that. The fact of the matter is, all companies are part of a supply chain. Through programs like the supplier development initiative Accelerate! Minnesota manufacturers can start to find their place along the supply chain and start viewing suppliers, OEMs and even customers as partners instead of just cogs in a manufacturing machine. It is the companies that are willing to invest the time and energy it takes to develop strong partnerships, hone relationships and bolster communication that find business is growing, profits are up and everyone along the supply chain is a whole lot happier.