Inbound Logistics Coordination

Reducing Steel Logistics Costs in India: Strategic Framework Logistics accounts for 10–20% of steel’s delivered cost and up to 28% of factory cost. Reducing this burden is key to improving competitiveness. A multi-pronged strategy involving infrastructure, modal shifts, digital tools, and policy reforms can yield significant savings. 1. Shift to Rail, Water, and Pipelines Road transport, though flexible, is 2–3x costlier. Rail movement via rakes and sidings can cut costs by 20–30%. Inland waterways (e.g., Ganga, Brahmaputra) save 40–60% for long-haul bulk cargo. Slurry pipelines, at Rs. 80–100/tonne for 250 km, are vastly cheaper than rail or road and must be expanded for inland plants. 2. Leverage PFTs and DFCs Private Freight Terminals reduce first/last-mile costs. Eastern and Western DFCs offer faster, reliable movement. Time-tabled rakes and rake-sharing improve predictability and lower costs. 3. Improve First & Last-Mile Efficiency Rail sidings, Ro-Ro services, and containerization reduce handling loss and costs. Better road access to ports via PPPs boosts multimodal efficiency. 4. Upgrade Infrastructure Developing dedicated rail/road corridors and multimodal logistics parks under Bharatmala and Sagarmala enhances connectivity. Coastal hubs at Vizag, Kandla, Paradip allow direct port loading, avoiding double handling. 5. Adopt Technology Use of Transport Management Systems (TMS), GPS tracking, and AI-based route optimization improves asset utilization and reduces fuel use. Automation in loading/unloading cuts turnaround time and damages. 6. Streamline Supply Chain Set up regional hubs near consumption centers. Aggregate demand to enable full-rake dispatch. Just-in-Time (JIT) inventory models cut warehousing and demurrage. Collaborate with 3PLs for cost-effective delivery and tracking. 7. Align with Policy & Incentives Leverage the National Logistics Policy’s aim to reduce logistics costs to 5–6% of GDP. Tap freight subsidies, tax incentives for logistics infra, GST pass-through, and single-window clearance for sidings and terminals. 8. Optimize Last-Mile & Maintenance Route planning tools reduce last-mile costs. Strategically located warehouses shorten delivery time. Preventive maintenance of fleets improves uptime and fuel efficiency. Impact Snapshot Rail over road: 20–30% cost saving Waterways: 40–60% Route optimization/backhauling: 10–15% Terminal/siding access: 5–10% Conclusion Combining modal shift, infrastructure upgrades, tech adoption, and policy alignment can reduce logistics costs by up to 40%. This is critical to meeting India’s steel production target of 255–300 million tonnes by 2030 and boosting global competitiveness.

Do This to Avoid Customs Clearance Hiccups Every shipment you handle is a potential risk. One small oversight, and you’re looking at delays, fines, or even a rejected shipment. To keep things moving smoothly, follow these steps: • Double-check every document. • Verify HS codes. • Make sure you’re compliant with all regulations. Customs clearance doesn’t have to be a guessing game. Get it right the first time, every time. Here’s a breakdown of key steps to keep your goods moving smoothly: 1. Identify the Nature of Your Cargo Is it commercial, personal, hazardous, or perishable? Knowing this affects how you handle each item. 2. Classify the Goods Get the correct HS (Harmonised System) code for every item. This ensures proper duty calculations and compliance. 3. Determine the Value Accurately declare the commercial value. Include all costs like sale price and transportation to avoid issues. 4. Understand the Origin Provide proof of origin. This can impact duty rates and trade agreements. 5. Check Import Restrictions Are import licenses needed? Avoid surprises by confirming quotas or embargoes. 6. Calculate Duties and Taxes Include duties, VAT, GST, and other charges. Proper calculations save you from costly fines. 7. Compile Essential Documents Have your invoices, packing list, bill of lading, and insurance documents ready. Missing paperwork leads to costly delays. 8. Ensure Regulatory Compliance Verify that goods meet destination standards. Health, safety, and environmental regulations matter. 9. Labeling and Marking Ensure all labels are accurate. From country of origin to handling instructions, labels prevent issues. 10. Review Industry-Specific Requirements Agriculture? Chemicals? Pharmaceuticals? Each industry has unique standards. Stay compliant. 11. Select the Right Mode of Transport Choose based on cost, speed, and cargo nature. The right choice here saves time and money. ETC When it comes to customs, precision is key. Each step matters, each document counts. Need help staying on top of customs regulations? Our Customs Clearance Fundamentals Bundle can help you to stay compliant and efficient: • Customs Declaration Checklist • Tariffs and Duties Cheat Sheet • Customs Clearance Processes • Essential Documentation Guide • Key Customs Regulations Overview • HS Code Cheat Sheet • EU Rules of Origin • World Customs Organization Guide Whether you’re new to international trade or a seasoned pro, this bundle saves you time, reduces risk, and keeps you compliant. Get the knowledge you need to clear customs without the hassle. https://lnkd.in/edA8V5Cw For more follow: Kingsly Kwalar and Edward

I track carrier performance with more than a dozen metrics—down to the decimal point. On-time performance. Tender acceptance. Fallout. Recovery time. Consistency... When performance slips, carriers hear about it. And when performance is exceptional, I double down on those relationships. That part is standard. What isn’t standard is what I ask next. In those same conversations, I’ve asked many carriers to scorecard me. Tell me: - Which of my operational behaviors cost you margin - Where my processes introduce friction or waste - What we do that makes your job harder to execute profitably Hold me accountable to those metrics. And every time? Crickets. I get the hesitation. Most shippers don’t invite that level of transparency. And pushing back on a customer can feel risky BUT a partnership built on one-way accountability isn’t a partnership. If carriers want to escape price-only conversations, this is part of the path: - Define the metrics that matter to you - Quantify where shipper behavior erodes margin - Bring those insights into the QBR—not as complaints, but as data Mutual accountability doesn’t weaken relationships. It’s usually the first sign that one is actually real.

“Procurement fails not because of wrong buying — but because of wrong planning.” Most companies believe procurement = buying. But 80% of procurement problems are born before the PO is created. Here’s what actually breaks procurement 👇 🔸 PR raised without checking existing stock 🔸 Specs not matched with application 🔸 Incorrect MOQ assumptions 🔸 No link between PPC schedule & PO timing 🔸 Vendor capacity not verified 🔸 No buffer for supply risk 🔸 Approvals based on hierarchy, not need 💡 Procurement is a planning function disguised as a buying function. Here’s what I implement in my consulting projects: 1��⃣ PR Validation Layer — Reject PRs that don’t match stock or specs 2️⃣ Planning Calendar — Weekly material plan locked for top 50 items 3️⃣ Vendor Capacity Mapping — Know supplier limits before promising production 4️⃣ Lead Time Accuracy Check — Remove buffer buying 5️⃣ Consumption-Based Ordering — No guesswork 📊 Result: Reduced urgent POs by 73%, improved vendor OTIF to 94%, and cut inventory by 18%. If you want my Procurement Planning Starter Kit (Excel) used in real factory consulting, 📩 Comment “PLAN” and I’ll share it.

There’s been a lot of buzz, mostly negative, around Uber Freight's new Broker Access service. People can argue over its intentions and value, but there’s an important point being left out. Since I first joined this industry, I’ve placed as much importance on carrier relationships as on client relationships—if not more. Carriers often aren’t treated with the respect they deserve, but without them, freight doesn’t move. I spent more than a decade hiring and managing thousands of brokers. I’ve seen all kinds of personalities, sales tactics, and strategies. The common thread among the most successful brokers? Strong relationships with carriers. They paid detention, were clear on appt. times, and offered fair rates. When capacity was tight, they could secure it—because of those relationships. Uber's new feature could open up more freight to carriers and grow relationships. Carriers may not have been aware of these loads offered by other brokers. That's a win in my eyes. It could mean the difference between a driver deadheading home or getting an extra load for the week. Everyone is focusing on the idea of opening up your book of business to another broker. But brokers are also gaining visibility to carriers they might not have otherwise worked with. If the carrier performs well on the load, the broker could end up working with this carrier in the future, even outside of the Uber ecosystem. There will always be opportunities for bad actors in this industry. Focusing on what's in the best interest of the carrier is what we need more of. Congrats Uber on the launch, looking forward to seeing how it helps grow the industry.

I am often asked by students and few early stage professionals, my experience with practical uses of ABC analysis. Here are some practical uses of ABC analysis in logistics: 1. Inventory management: ABC analysis helps in identifying the critical items that contribute the most to sales value or production, so resources and attention can be focused on managing these items more efficiently. This could involve tighter inventory control, more frequent stock counts, or maintaining higher safety stock levels for items in category A. 2. Order processing and fulfillment: Prioritizing items based on their classification ensures that items with higher sales or demand receive faster and more accurate order processing and fulfillment. This can lead to improved customer satisfaction and reduced lead times for high-priority items. 3. Supplier management: By understanding the importance of items in different categories, logistics managers can work closely with suppliers to ensure a steady and reliable supply of critical items (A-category) while being more flexible with less critical items (C-category). 4. Warehouse layout and picking strategies: High-priority items (A-category) can be strategically placed closer to the shipping area to minimize picking time and expedite order fulfillment. This can lead to reduced labor costs and increased picking efficiency. 5. Transportation optimization: ABC analysis can influence transportation decisions, such as using faster shipping methods for high-priority items or consolidating shipments for low-priority items to reduce transportation costs. 6. Resource allocation: By knowing which items are most critical, logistics managers can allocate resources, such as labor and equipment, more effectively to meet demand and avoid bottlenecks. 7. Product lifecycle management: ABC analysis can be applied to different stages of a product's lifecycle. For example, new products might start as C-category items and gradually move up to A-category as their demand increases. 8. Risk management: High-priority items are often critical to business success, so having contingency plans in place to handle disruptions in supply or demand for these items becomes more crucial. 9. Cost control: By focusing on high-value items, logistics managers can better control costs associated with handling, storage, and transportation for the most critical products. 10. Forecasting: Demand planners would like to focus on A class SKUs, to derive better forecasting accuracy, than C class SKUs. Overall, ABC analysis provides valuable insights into the importance of various items in logistics operations, helping businesses streamline their processes, improve customer service, and optimize their supply chain performance.

🚛 Key Supply Chain Metrics I Keep an Eye On 📊 Working in logistics and freight forwarding, I’ve seen firsthand how important it is to track the right metrics to keep operations smooth and efficient. Here are some key ones that I always focus on: 🔹 Forecast Accuracy (MAPE) – Helps prevent stockouts and excess inventory. 🔹 On-Time In-Full (OTIF) – A strong indicator of logistics and supplier performance. 🔹 Inventory Turnover Ratio – A measure of how efficiently inventory is managed. 🔹 Days of Supply – Keeps the balance between overstocking and running out of stock. 🔹 Supplier Lead Time Variability – Unpredictability here can disrupt the whole supply chain. 🔹 Fill Rate – Ensuring customer demand is met without delays. I believe tracking these KPIs is crucial for any business that wants to optimize operations and reduce costs. Which of these do you focus on the most? Let’s discuss! ⬇️ #SupplyChain #Logistics #FreightForwarding #BusinessGrowth #Efficiency #Procurement #Shipping #KPI 🚢📦

Procurement Planning for the Year (After Spend Analysis) In my previous post, I spoke about procurement spend analysis, understanding where the money went and what the data is telling us. The next step is more important: using those insights to plan the procurement year ahead. Spend analysis provides visibility. Planning provides direction. In procurement, the quality of the year is decided before the first sourcing event, not during negotiations. This is how effective procurement planning is structured. 1️⃣ Questions to Ask First Before looking at categories or suppliers, the right questions must be asked: 📌What are the business priorities this year? Growth, cost, cash, or risk? 📌Where is leadership least tolerant of failure? 📌Which decisions will have the biggest impact if they go wrong? These questions create context. Without them, procurement plans will not be relevant. 2️⃣ Key Things to Review An objective review of the past, sets the foundation 🔸️Savings delivered versus savings reported 🔸️Spend leakage from maverick buying, contract renewals, and inflation 🔸️Categories that consumed time and effort without meaningful impact 🔸️Dependency on single or critical suppliers The purpose is not to revisit old issues, but to identify patterns that must not repeat. 3️⃣ What Truly Matters This Year! Focus must now be deliberately narrowed: ✅️Not every category requires intervention ✅️Not every target should be savings-driven. Some categories must protect continuity, not reduce cost ✅️Credibility with leadership matters more than aggressive ambition ✅️Alignment matters in results more than speed. Procurement maturity is reflected in clear prioritization and conscious trade-offs. 4️⃣ How to Plan It Right Only after clarity and focus come execution: 📌Align procurement objectives directly with business goals 📌Set realistic targets supported by data and market conditions 📌Define category intent before sourcing begins 📌Align stakeholders early to avoid mid-year resistance 📌Lock governance to prevent value leakage after contracts are signed Planning is not about doing more. It is about doing the right things, at the right time, for the right reasons. Spend analysis shows where the money went. Planning determines where procurement will matter. Now, What is the first thing you focus on when planning your procurement year after spend analysis? Share your approach in the comments because different perspectives help everyone think better. 🔖 Save this post if you’re setting up your procurement plan for the year. 🔁 Share it with your team or colleagues who are involved in budgeting, sourcing, or category planning. ➡️ Follow Wasim Akram for more practical procurement insights. #ProcurementLeadership #StrategicProcurement #ProcurementPlanning #CPO #SpendAnalysis #CategoryManagement

Warehouse management is not just about storing goods. It is about controlling inventory, space, people and information to ensure the right product is available, in the right quantity, at the right time. Why warehouse management matters in supply chain It supports fast order fulfilment. It reduces inventory losses and damages. It improves visibility for planning and procurement decisions. It lowers overall logistics and operating costs. Best practices for effective warehouse management 1. Use clear layout and slotting strategy Arrange fast-moving items close to dispatch areas and slow-moving items further away. This reduces picking time and improves productivity. 2. Implement bin locations (location management) Every shelf, rack and pallet position should have a unique bin or location code. Items must be stored and picked using their bin locations, not memory. Bin locations improve stock accuracy, faster picking and easier stock counts. 3. Apply ABC analysis for inventory prioritisation Classify items based on value and movement. A-items: high value or fast moving – require tight control and frequent review. B-items: medium value and movement – standard control. C-items: low value or slow moving – simple control and bulk storage. ABC analysis helps focus warehouse space, controls and effort where it matters most. 4. Maintain accurate inventory records Update stock immediately after receiving, issuing or returning items. Accurate data supports better demand planning and procurement decisions. 5. Apply FIFO and FEFO methods FIFO (First In, First Out) for general goods. FEFO (First Expired, First Out) for perishable and medical products. This reduces expiry, obsolescence and write-offs. 6. Standardise receiving and put-away procedures Inspect quantities and quality at receiving. Label items and assign the correct bin location before storage. This prevents errors and misplaced stock. 7. Introduce basic warehouse performance KPIs Examples include order accuracy, picking time, stock variance and space utilisation. KPIs help identify bottlenecks and improvement opportunities. 8. Leverage simple digital tools or a WMS Even a basic warehouse management system with bin location and barcode scanning improves visibility, traceability and stock accuracy. 9. Train warehouse staff continuously Clear SOPs and regular training improve safety, handling quality and operational discipline. 10. Strengthen safety and housekeeping (5S) A clean and well-organised warehouse reduces accidents, damages and delays.

"Lost in the Supply Chain? Let Statistics be Your Compass!" Imagine this: You're navigating the vast ocean of supply chain management, with unpredictable tides of demand, supplier delays, and quality issues threatening to capsize your ship. Fear not, for I bring you 9 trusty statistical principles to guide you safely to shore! 1.Correlation ≠ Causation: Just because ice cream sales and shark attacks rise together doesn't mean one causes the other. Similarly, a spike in sales and supplier defects might have a hidden common cause. Don't jump to conclusions! 2.P-value: Think of it as a lie detector test for your hypotheses. A low p-value means your new transportation route genuinely reduces delivery times, not just by chance. 3.Survivorship Bias: Don't be fooled by the success stories of those who made it. Consider the failed suppliers or strategies that didn't survive to tell the tale. 4.Simpson's Paradox: A logistics provider might shine in individual regions but falter overall. It's like a team with star players who can't win a championship together. 5.Central Limit Theorem: The more lead times you sample, the closer their average gets to a normal distribution. It's like a magic bell curve appearing from chaos! 6.Bayes' Theorem: Update your beliefs about supplier defects based on new evidence. It's like a detective refining their suspect list as clues emerge. 7.Law of Large Numbers: The more shipments you track, the closer your average cost gets to the true value. It's like a long road trip where the fuel efficiency eventually settles. 8.Selection Bias: Don't just listen to your star suppliers. Seek feedback from the whole team, even the underperformers. 9.Outliers: Those extreme delays or defective batches are like warning flares. Investigate them to uncover deeper issues. Apply these statistical principles to your supply chain data, and you'll make smarter decisions, forecast more accurately, and avoid costly misinterpretations. Remember, in the world of supply chain, statistics isn't just numbers; it's your survival kit! #supplychain #statistics #dataanalytics #logistics #procurement