U.K. companies see cost cut priority in logistics
Cost reduction is still the biggest pressure on logistics for British industrial companies, a survey carried out by Exel shows.
When asked about the top three logistics pressures imposed on their businesses by their marketplaces and customers, the companies named the following: cost reduction (24 percent), shorter delivery times (18 percent), service performance levels (12 percent), flexibility (12 percent) and on-time delivery (10 percent), according to the survey. Other pressures mentioned were: damage in transit, narrow delivery slots, information requirements, product changes and delivery accuracy.
The survey was undertaken among 27 clients of Exel’s industrial business, which works with major utility and public transport providers, construction-related companies, engineering and packaging product manufacturers.
The companies surveyed were also asked to identify the most significant changes likely to affect their businesses over the next 18 months. The factors most often cited were: dealing with company growth, driving down costs and, as customers become more pan-European, the need for Europe-wide logistics solutions.
Exel is a U.K.-based international logistics service provider.