Buck Consultants International organizes, in cooperation with DHL Fashion, the Masterclass “The future of the Fashion and Lifestyle Supply Chain”. The masterclass will be a full day event, held on the 10th May 2012 in Berlin, for director + level at brandowners, manufacturers, retailers and wholesalers only. »»

Ten years ago offshoring back office activities to Asia was regarded as the right answer to cost pressures. Hundreds of companies relocated (a part of) their call center or shared service center activities to countries like India and the Philippines. But a growing number of companies is reviewing its back office strategy and considers reshoring. Why is that? »»

The cost pressure on the medtech industry is increasing, which means that also the supply chain professionals in that industry have to take a closer look at cost levels. More collaboration in the supply chain is often mentioned as a way to achieve that goal. BCI Global takes a closer look at the various forms of collaboration. »»

US based Fortitech develops and produces custom nutrient premixes (vitamins, minerals, neutraceuticals) which are added to more than 30,000 products of food, beverage and pharmaceutical manufacturers. To serve the growing customer base in Europe, Russia, the Middle East and Africa, Fortitech will open Mid-2012 a new plant near Poznan in Poland. »»

More e-commerce means more e-fulfillment. But the challenge to organize the logistics behind the webshop in a short and efficient way is huge. “If you add clicks to the bricks you add headache as well” says Patrick Haex, Managing Partner at BCI Global. »»

Having a quick fix for that one obsolete part in your television set, not waiting too long for a new substitute part in your car and a quick delivery of an element which makes a machine running again, we all recognise the value of spare parts. "Organising the after market supply chain is becoming critical to companies in industries like industrial and medical equipment, high-tech and electronics and automotive. Not only in the US or Europe, but also in emerging markets like Russia, China, Middle East and Africa. “Due to its different characteristics after market supply chains are often decoupled from the finished good chain" says Carlo Peters, senior consultant at BCI Global. But where to locate the spare parts stocks? »»

Josefien Glaudemans has been promoted to Managing Partner Location Strategies, Site Selection & Marketing Strategies. She heads up the consultancy practice in which companies are advised on location strategies and site selection as well as the advisory services for cities and regions regarding their marketing strategies.

As of January 1st, 2012 Peter Colon was appointed as Managing Partner Freight & Transport. He leads the group of experts who advice seaports, airports, container terminal operators, companies and authorities on their freight and transport strategy and the implementation of that strategy. »»

Later this year, Tate & Lyle PLC, a global provider of food ingredients and solutions, will open its new Global Shared Services Center in Lodz, Poland. Tate & Lyle has chosen the Sterlinga Business Center in the heart of Lodz as the location for its new Centre, which in due course will provide Tate & Lyle's employees around the world with transactional and standard processes in finance, an IS/IT service desk and payroll services. BCI Global assisted the Tate & Lyle team, comparing locations in Europe and the US, and advising on the final location choice for Lodz.
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The High-Tech & Consumer Electronics landscape is continuously changing. Cost pressure, changing customer behaviour, uncertain economic developments, new product introductions and shifting sourcing geographies are all drivers for change. Although supply chain functions are often seen as facilitating rather than driving a company’s success, it is evident that supply chain is becoming more and more a critical success factor for companies in coping effectively with increased complexity.  »»

One of the world’s largest law firms Allen & Overy opens in Belfast a new strategic services center for IT, finance, business services, marketing, HR and legal support. Half of the 300 back office jobs are relocated from London. BCI Global evaluated more than twenty locations in Europe, North Africa and Asia and negotiated an attractive incentive package for Allen & Overy. »»