Customs and Excise : Standard Operating Procedures

The practice of outsourcing logistics operations has grown significantly over the past few years and today, both suppliers and customers are confronted by an often be-wildering range and variety of logistic services and providers.

Organisations have become increasingly aware that they can gain competitive advantage by outsourcing their supply chain and logistics requirements to specialist companies that offer the resources and expertise to provide a faster, more efficient and cost effective service.

When one company uses other companies to manage its logistics, it is referred to as third party (3PL) or contract logistics. This involves managing an organisation's transport, warehousing, purchase of materials, materials handling and many other functions of the logistics process.

In essence the use of third party logistics is a special type of 'make-or-buy decision', as sometimes it is better to keep logistics within the organisation (In-house) and other times it is better to use specialists. The benefits of successful outsourcing can be summarised as:

• Service improvements
• Cost reduction
• Quality enhancements
• Lower fixed costs - as customers only pay for the service they use.
• Specialist suppliers - who have expertise and use the best systems and practices,
• Suppliers can combine work with several customers to get economies of scale
• Guaranteed high and agreed levels of customer service
• Flexible capacity, dealing effectively with peaks and troughs in demand
• Lowers exposure to risk - varying demand
• Increased geographical coverage and local knowledge
• A convenient way of entering new markets

Cats Eyes provides the following consulting service and expertise in outsourcing and third-party contracts management services:

• Third-party Selection and Alternative Identification Analysis.
• Management of the Tender Process and Negotiation Arrangements.
• Third party Implementation and Monitoring Programmes.
• Contract and Service Level Agreement Preparation

As an independent consultant we aim to provide the most cost effective and efficient outsourcing solution for you. We can assist you throughout the outsourcing process, from assistance in identification and selection of Third-Party service providers, tender and negotiation arrangements, through to development of Third-party implementation programmes.

In-House:

Alternatively, if your organisation is considering the opportunities of managing your logistics function in house, Cats Eye Consultants can provide your organisation with the following services:

• Logistics Process Management
• Training Services - Logistic and transportation processes
• Data Quality Assessment
• Policy and procedure implementation programs

If you would like to find out more, give us a call.
We can discuss your business requirements and advise how we can help YOU.

Top