Manufacturers have spent the last several years implementing Lean processes to lower production costs, reduce inventory, and better utilize working capital. However, what many manufacturing firms quickly discover is that implementing Lean processes in their factories often simply pushes many of their supply chain challenges from those factories to their suppliers. And most suppliers are woefully unprepared to deliver the 90+% perfect orders and seamless data exchange etc. that true Lean processes require. 

 

For 3PLs and 4PLs, Keough Associates has done everything from helping companies improve specific facets of their operations to developing a business case and strategic plan for morphing an asset-based business into a 4PL. Read the Case Study.

 

Keough Associates worked with one of the world's largest aerospace and defense firms to analyze and benchmark supply chain processes at a dozen locations over a six month period. Keough Associates documented current-state business processes and rated the supply chain practices at each of these facilities against industry best practices. Keough Associates then facilitated a workshop with senior executives from across the company to identify the most critical capabilities gaps and prioritize areas for investment in the coming year. 

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With the U.S. manufacturers facing unprecedented pressure to reduce costs and optimize their sourcing and manufacturing processes, many are taking a careful look at how they manage and measure their suppliers and how they manage their inventory.   Keough Associates helps manufacturers better understand the characteristics and composition of the inventory items they hold and design procurement and supplier management strategies most appropriate for each. Read the Case Study.

 

Public utilities everywhere are struggling do more with less, even as they seek to cope with aging and costly infrastructures, while continuing to provide the reliable service their customers expect. With the continued pace of mergers and acquisitions in the field, more and more public utilities are taking a hard look at their operations to see where they can streamline processes and reduce costs. To date, an area most utilities haven’t examined particularly closely is the state of their supply chain for all the inputs required to keep the utility running smoothly.  However, some utilities are discovering that benchmarking key processes and implementing best practices can offer substantial cost savings. Read the Case Study.