Supply Chain Consulting

 

For Canadian companies in manufacturing, logistics and distribution, the customer service, reliability, pricing and execution of an organization’s supply chain operations are the biggest contributing factors to the operational efficiency and competitive advantage.

  • If a company’s supply chain strategy and facility investments drain available capital, then they can’t invest in new product development, market expansion or countless other initiatives that could make them more competitive.
  • If they starve their supply chain management of investment, then productivity will fall, operating expenses will rise and customer service will deteriorate.
  • Conversely, every dollar wasted on unnecessary supply chain processes (facilities, equipment and technology) is a dollar that can’t be invested to deliver elsewhere, into things like product development or building new stores.

Most executives are forced to become experts in real estate every 5 – 10 years when their lease is expiring and they have to focus on whether to renew or relocate.

ENCOR is a trusted Supply Chain consultant in Toronto, Canada with a track record of helping clients navigate these complex supply chain challenges throughout Canada and the United States, which in turn helps shape future real estate needs.

 

supply chain

 

Is supply chain consulting trending?

Yes. 

According to Google Analytics, there has never been more interest in people searching for “supply chain consulting”.
 
supply chain consulting is trending

In speaking with our clients, the reasons are clear – decision making is stretched thin, there has never been more pressure for executives to reduce expenses, fine tune their operations, meet customer needs, and have spot-on forecast accuracy.

 

 

 

Who needs supply chain consulting services?

Our customers fit into 4 main categories:

  1. An organization that is seeking to maximize capacity.
  2. A business that is looking to reduce labor expenses.
  3. Need to improve service delivery.
  4. Recent merger / acquisition.

Hear from our Chief Growth Officer Jeff Howell regarding the types of clients we work with and what their projects look like:

 

 

What are the benefits of supply chain consulting?

 

Expense Optimization

  • Enhancing logistics and transportation efficiency to cut freight expenses
  • Streamlining warehouse operations to decrease labor and facility expenses
  • Improving procurement processes to lower material expenses
  • Optimizing inventory levels to reduce carrying costs

The potential for significant savings is one of the most compelling reasons to engage with us.

 

Improved Efficiency and Performance

  • Redesigning logistics networks to enhance delivery times
  • Enhancing supplier management and collaboration
  • Implementing new inventory management systems
  • Optimizing production planning and scheduling

These efficiency gains can lead to improved service levels, faster order fulfillment, and increased customer satisfaction.

 

Advanced Analytics and Technology Implementation

  • Integrate systems for better visibility across the supply chain
  • Implement advanced planning and optimization tools
  • Develop more accurate demand forecasting models
  • Introduce automation and AI/ML capabilities

Make more data-driven decisions and gain deeper insights into supply chain performance.

 

Risk Mitigation and Resilience

  • Enhancing flexibility to respond to changing market conditions
  • Developing contingency plans and backup sourcing strategies
  • Identifying and mitigating potential risks and disruptions
  • Improving end-to-end supply chain visibility

Strengthening supply chain resilience can protect the company from costly disruptions and ensure business continuity.

 

Strategic Alignment and Transformation

  • Provide guidance on integrating sustainability and ESG initiatives
  • Assist with change management and organizational alignment
  • Assess current capabilities against industry best practices
  • Develop a roadmap for supply chain transformation

This strategic perspective can drive long-term value creation beyond just operational improvements.

 

Specialized Expertise and Fresh Perspective

  • Identify inefficiencies or improvement areas that internal teams may overlook
  • Introduce innovative ideas and best practices from other industries
  • Provide objective, data-driven recommendations

This outside expertise can be invaluable in driving significant improvements and overcoming in-house resistance.

 

How much does supply chain consulting cost?

It’s complicated.

It varies across industries (such as what is the commodity in the warehouse), and what processes and supply chains are currently in place.

Maturing companies with fewer systems and workflows are typically easier for us to work with compared to organizations that operate with data in legacy systems and require more resources on our part to find solutions.

 

supply chain strategy

Strategy

  • Integrated Business Planning and Operating Models Overview
  • Business Process Mapping and S&OP Process Engineering
  • Audit of previous supply chain services and advisory firms
  • Operations Due Diligence & Post-Acquisition Integration
  • Direct Control and Single Point of Failure Analytics
  • Distribution Network Analysis of the Supply Chain
  • 3rd Party Logistics Selection & Integration
  • Liaison plan with procurement function
  • Supply Chain Management Roadmaps
  • Supply Chain Resilience Modeling
  • Strategic sourcing of 3rd parties
  • End to End Visibility Reporting
  • Company procurement review
  • Inventory Control Consulting
  • Supply Chain Optimization
  • Sustainable Supply Chains
  • Entire Value Chain Audit
  • Category Management
  • Supply Planning

 

data centre

Technology

  • Supply Chain Software Selection and Advanced Technologies Overview
  • Digital technologies creating internal feedback loops
  • Technology Solutions Overview (disparate systems)
  • Digital transformation and next generation analysis
  • Implementation Rescues and Project Supervision
  • Inventory management and e commerce review
  • Implementation of ERP, WMS & MES Systems
  • EDI and Systems-to-Systems Integrations
  • Support & Continuous Improvement
  • Artificial Intelligence Evaluation
  • Procurement Assistance
  • Business Case Overview
  • Demand Forecasting
  • Innovation metrics
  • Sales Enablement

 

facility design

Facility Design

  • Financial Modeling & Justification
  • Automation Design & Selection
  • Operating Strategy & Layouts
  • Site Selection Business Case
  • Facility & Function Sizing
  • Industrial Engineering
  • Supply chain activities
  • Materials Handling
  • SOP Engineering
  • Simulations

 

facility implementation

Facility Implementation

  • 3PL Selection & Integration to multiple supply chains
  • Role Planning, Job Descriptions, & Labor Planning
  • Vendor Management & Equipment Selection
  • Materials Handling System Commissioning
  • Cutover Planning & Go-Live Supervision
  • Project Management

 

Contact our consulting firm today:

by contacting Jeff Howell, Chief Growth Officer at jhowell@encoradvisors.com, or by filling in this form:

 

 

 

ISO 9001 certification for ENCOR Advisors

ENCOR Advisors is one of the leading supply chain advisory firms in North America that provides an array of corporate real estate, logistics solutions and supply chain capabilities to businesses that have traditional supply chains (and unconventional ones) across Canada, the United States and global markets.

With our specialized expertise and our ISO 9001:2015 certification, we improve the supply chains, logistics operations and logistics expenses for most companies within the first few meetings, on their path to operational excellence.

Reach out to our sales team for a free consultation today to gain insights and see if we are the right supply chain consultants to help you drive profitable growth.

Supply Chain Consulting FAQs

What are the latest trends in supply chain management that consultants are focusing on?

Supply chain consultants are currently focusing on several key trends:

  • Digital transformation and automation
  • Sustainability and green supply chains
  • Resilience and risk management
  • Warehousing strategies
  • Resilient strategies that don’t rely on a fragile network
  • Advanced analytics and AI-driven decision making
  • Machine learning and large language models
  • Omnichannel fulfillment strategies
  • Circular supply chains and logistics
  • Value based payment models
  • Inventory management software
  • Sales enablement in line with demand forecasting
  • Risk mitigation
  • Network planning tools
  • The right balance of AI and human interaction
  • Sustainability across the entire supply chain

Staying abreast of these trends allows supply chain consultants to provide cutting-edge solutions to their clients.

How do supply chain consultants stay updated with industry best practices?

Supply chain consultants stay current through:

  • Continuous learning and professional development
  • Attending industry conferences and seminars
  • Participating in professional associations
  • Conducting and analyzing industry research
  • Collaborating with academic institutions
  • Leveraging experience working across various industries
  • Artificial intelligence round ups (such as Perplexity and ChatGPT)

This ongoing education ensures that supply chain consultants can provide the most up-to-date and effective solutions to support their clients and customers.

How can supply chain consultants improve my business operations?

Supply chain consultants can support your business in several ways:

  • Optimizing inventory management
  • Streamlining manufacturing, logistics, warehousing and transportation
  • Improving supplier relationships
  • Enhancing demand forecasting and supply chain planning
  • Implementing new technologies and automation
  • Reducing expenses and increasing efficiency
  • Fewer single points of failure to rely upon
  • More resilient supply chain

By leveraging their consulting services with various industries, supply chain consultants can identify areas for improvement and implement the right balance of best practices tailored to your specific needs.

Can supply chain consulting help with sustainability initiatives?

Yes, many supply chain consulting firms now specialize in sustainability. They can help companies:

  • Develop green supply chain strategies
  • Implement sustainable sourcing practices
  • Optimize transportation to reduce carbon footprint
  • Design circular supply chains
  • Implement sustainability metrics and reporting
  • Identify enterprises with green supply chains

As sustainability becomes increasingly important to consumers and regulators, supply chain consultants play a crucial role in helping businesses adapt and thrive.

What ROI can I expect from engaging supply chain consultants?

The return on investment (ROI) from supply chain consulting can be substantial, but it varies depending on the project’s scope, what you are looking to achieve and the current state of your supply chain. Common areas of improvement include:

  • Reduced inventory costs
  • Improved on-time delivery rates
  • Decreased transportation costs and improved logistics
  • Enhanced supplier performance
  • Improved demand forecasting
  • Streamlined purchasing
  • Increased overall efficiency and productivity
  • Achieve improved sales volume
  • Improved customer support
  • Identify global expansion markets

Many companies report ROIs ranging from 3:1 to 10:1 or higher for supply chain consulting projects. Your chosen consulting firm should be able to provide case studies and benchmarks to give you an idea of potential returns.

How do supply chain consultants typically engage with clients?

Supply chain consultants typically engage with clients through a structured process:

  1. Initial assessment and scoping
  2. Detailed analysis of current supply chain operations
  3. Strategy development and recommendations
  4. Implementation planning
  5. Project execution and change management
  6. Monitoring and optimization

Throughout this process, consultants work closely with the client’s team, ensuring knowledge transfer and building internal capabilities for long-term success.

How long does a typical supply chain consulting project take?

The duration of a supply chain consulting project can vary widely depending on its scope, logistics and complexity.

Short-term projects focused on specific issues might take a few weeks, while comprehensive supply chain transformations (such as a global business solution) that require a large team and a comprehensive solution can span several months or even years.

Supply chain consultants typically work with clients to establish and identify clear timelines, efforts and milestones to ensure projects stay on track and deliver value at each stage.

How do I choose the right consulting vendor for my business?

When selecting a supply chain consulting vendor, consider the following factors:

  • Industry expertise and experience
  • Range of services offered
  • Track record of success and demand from other business owners
  • Client and customer testimonials and case studies
  • Approach to problem-solving
  • Cultural fit with your organization
  • A history of profitable growth for their clients
  • Innovative strategies presented in their proposal
  • Achieve savings and create value consistently
  • Strength of their team (achievements and ability to be resilient)

Look for a consulting services firm with expertise in your specific industry and a proven record of value and delivering results. The right consulting firm should be able to provide tailored solutions that address your unique purchasing, warehousing, and supply chain challenges.

What is supply chain consulting and why is it important?

Supply chain consulting involves expert advisors helping businesses optimize their supply chain operations.

Supply chain consultants work with companies to improve efficiency, reduce expenses, and enhance overall performance across the entire supply chain.

This strategic consulting is crucial in today’s complex business environment, where an efficient and resilient supply chain can be a significant competitive advantage.

Supply chain management has become increasingly complex, especially for consumer goods companies, making professional guidance invaluable for global enterprises and small to medium sized business owners and their customers.

What services do consulting firms typically offer?

Consulting firms offer a wide range of services, including:

  • Supply chain strategy development
  • Process optimization
  • Technology implementation
  • Risk management
  • Sustainability planning
  • Performance metrics and analytics
  • Training and capability building

These consulting services are designed to address all aspects of the supply chain, ensuring that every component is in the right place for optimal performance.