@Risk

To paraphrase an old adage, it appears that sometimes, whatever goes down must eventually come up.

Recently released results from PRTM’s annual auto supply study show that –after experiencing the largest downturn in history –worldwide automobile sales will likely hit a new record in 2011, driven by China’s relentless growth and the US recovery.

Sure, most auto suppliers endured a bumpy road during the past two years.  But the study suggests that European and North American auto suppliers are rebounding with what PRTM calls a “stunning, high-speed recovery.” European and North American auto suppliers increased EBITDA from 2009 to 2010 by 76 percent and 68 percent, respectively, while at the same time, North American suppliers emerged as the most likely global consolidators in 2011.

According to the PRTM study: (more…)

Supply chain flexibility requires considerable investment, as well as a top-down commitment from C-level execs.

However, that “extra” effort is proving very worthwhile, as companies that implement operational flexibility are now realizing significant business benefits, according to new survey results released last week by PRTM.

Based on interviews with senior executives from 150 companies across diverse industries, the new research identifies five specific “levers” that increase operational flexibility, drive revenues and cut costs. According to PRTM, companies that have implemented the five supply chain flexibility levers have achieved, on average, a 12 to 15 percent revenue increase while reducing supply chain costs by eight to 10 percent.

Here are a few survey results, grouped around PRTM’s supply chain flexibility levers: (more…)

Container manufacturers aren’t the only ones ill-equipped to meet a significant upturn in demand.

New research from PRTM suggests that global corporations, in general, face significant hurdles with their supply chains now that the economy is starting to rebound.

PRTM’s Global Supply Chain Trends 2010–2012 Survey—the largest annual survey of global supply chains ever conducted by the firm –polled nearly 350 senior management execs from Europe, the Americas and Asia. The study found that even though these execs are optimistic about the future, most are concerned that their global operations won’t be able to keep pace with new demand.

For example: (more…)

The global management consulting firm PRTM analyzed the entries of more than 100 companies competing for the2009 European Supply Chain Excellence Awards and uncovered some interesting trends in current supply chain strategy and execution.

For instance, 77% of participants said the two most important strategic supply chain issues are “customer demand collaboration” and “supply chain risk minimization.”

In addition, PRTM found that: (more…)