The benefits of collaborating with supply chain partners

Sharing information with your supply chain partners can enable you to collaborate on production, maintenance and/or transport activities. In addition to generating cost savings, that can also improve your distribution network and contribute to a more sustainable goods flow. A cross chain control centre can form a strong basis for a collaborative approach.

Cross Chain Control Centre

A cross chain control centre (4C) coordinates and controls multiple complex pan-European and/or international supply chains. A 4C handles more than just transport and warehousing; the ultimate aim is to achieve collaboration on production, forecasting and mutually beneficial financial concepts by consolidating and managing flows of goods, information, payments and data.

The exchange of information between the various supply chains within a 4C facilitates a cross-chain approach to logistics transport. Larger volumes resulting from consolidation open up opportunities to use rail or inland waterways as alternatives to road transport, for example, and enable better utilisation of the load capacity of trucks and shipping containers. The result is not only a considerable cost saving but also a denser urban distribution network and a more sustainable flow of goods.

A 4C is intended to create economies of scale by facilitating collaboration within and between supply chains. Better planning, forecasting of logistics activities and new business models unleash the true potential of a 4C, enabling new ways of working to be implemented in reality. In a nutshell, the benefits for your supply chain are:

• A clearer overview, better alignment and collaboration on activities
• Supply chain cost savings through consolidation of shipments
• Reduced environmental impact

A growing number of shippers are seriously considering consolidating their freight flows with those of other shippers. Supply chain ‘fusion’ is a valuable new instrument in eliminating even more costs from the chain.