BY CLIFFORD F. LYNCH
fastlane
My annual letter to Santa Claus
DEAR SANTA,
It has been another difficult year for many of us in the supply chain
profession. Although we’ve seen little spurts of improvement here
and there, the economy is still weak. I’m sure you’re seeing it in your
toy orders again this year. While there are many supply chain man-
agers out there who are finding creative ways to manage costs while
maintaining an acceptable level of customer service, they can’t carry
the burden alone. There still are a number of broader issues with
which we could use some help.
There is what I believe to be an exciting idea to
increase allowable truck weights from 80,000 to
and would avoid any hours-of-service problems
with the reindeer.
Of course, there are other ongoing concerns I
have written to you about before. Issues related to
capacity, rates, possible driver shortages, and
increased regulation will no doubt flare up in
2012. Through it all, we need your calming influence and spirit of collaboration. Just remember:
If all else fails, you can simply cut off the toys.
Merry Christmas! ;
Clifford F. Lynch
Clifford F. Lynch is principal of C.F. Lynch & Associates, a
provider of logistics management advisory services, and author of
Logistics Outsourcing – A Management Guide and co-author of The Role of
Transportation in the Supply Chain. He can be reached at
cliff@cflynch.com.
