Power Partner: successful relationship between manufacturers and legist. Service providers begins with crystal clear expectations

摘要

Manufacturing executives outsource logistics for two primary reasons: to save money or to improve performance. To deliver the anticipated cost savings and service objectives requires a commitment from both organizations that, like a successful marriage, builds upon the initial contract to make the relationship work for both parties. "People who throw the contract over the fence and wash their hands of it are condemned to have difficulties," says Brooks Bentz, an associate partner in Accenture's Boston supply-chain practice. In conjunction with Northeastern University, the consulting firm annually surveys the 500 largest U.S. manufacturers about their arrangements with third-party logistics providers (3PLs), which have steadily grown in popularity The percentage of these firms reporting that they use outside logistics services has increased from 38 percent in 1991 to 80 percent in 2004.