LOGISTICS
How are 3PLs helping businesses cope with broader disruptions , such as Brexit , transport logjams , and driver shortages ? ‘ We can categorise supply chain disruptions into three broad areas ’, explains Phil . ‘ Demand-side , supplyside , and environmental . Some of these are easier to control than others , but all benefit from proper oversight and the ability to quickly adapt ’. When the Brits finalised Brexit , for example , DHL scaled up areas that needed specialist support , such as customs processing . ‘ We can leverage our network and redeploy on demand ’, he explains .
As for UPS , the company developed a post-Brexit SCS solution that enabled its clients to keep inventory closer to their UK customers . ‘ We can maintain a broad portfolio of carriers and providers to quickly adapt to supply chain disruptions ’, Philippe says . ‘ This allows customers to avoid service
“ 3PLs can deliver efficiencies and resources across the supply chain that are difficult for most businesses to replicate ”
PHILIPPE GILBERT PRESIDENT , UPS SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
delays , added costs , and administrative burdens associated with customs clearance ’.
Next , this conversation would be incomplete if we didn ’ t talk about how the boom in e-commerce has affected 3PL .
Do you anticipate that e-commerce growth will continue ? ‘ The growth of the past 18 months shows no sign of slowing down ’, Phil says . ‘ Consumer habits have altered , in some cases , permanently . Over the last eight months , DHL has seen a 150 % increase in its fulfilment division — reflecting the soaring demand ’. To keep up , the company has
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