Going Global

It is worth reflecting that we still operate in very uncertain times. Growth in some parts of the world, although tentative, is countered by stories in some European countries that could yet prove catastrophic. Should the worst of these potential events materialise, it is difficult to predict what the local and wider effects might be to general trade.

One might hope that the huge amount of international trade and traffic should be sufficient to ride out yet another storm. There is no doubt however that the effects in Europe particularly could be more than interesting.

The UK as a net importer of goods is affected significantly by worldwide conditions in both commodities and the finance markets. We in the logistics sector have to maintain a very responsive stance to any of the events that change our landscape and that of our customers.
This often means that shorter term arrangements are demanded by customers whilst wishing to retain the benefits of longer pricing deals.
It has never been more important for companies to challenge their logistics arrangements or indeed ensure they scope any new ones correctly.

Finding the Right Place

Whether you have a logistics arrangement or partner inside the UK, or you are looking to enter the UK for the first time, PGC Logistics Management could be the ideal business to assist your company with any logistics review, migration or implementation.
PGC Logistics Management is an independent company without affiliation to any 3PL. Having over 30 years experience in the UK logistics sector, PGC Logistics Management is well connected and ideally placed to recommend the right solution for your business with the appropriate 3PL. Whilst many UK companies understand the UK logistics market and its players, if you are outside the UK it may be that you do not have that knowledge.

PGC Logistics Management can take away the pain of searching out the right providers for your product and market, ensuring that the correct geographical location is used to support both import and UK distribution.

A Flexible Approach

As we alluded to earlier, the conditions that we have endured for the last couple of years seem set to continue. If this is the case, the need for flexibility becomes even more important whether that be on a downward or upward curve.

Short term management placements are an ideal method of managing a changing situation. Having the right number and quality of management personnel is vital in both and expanding business and a contracting one. You may encounter situations where having access to experienced logistics management for as little as one or two days per week may be advantageous to your situation as your business landscape changes. Equally, a few weeks or months could be the ideal way to navigate your way through uncertainty without having the commitment of full time staff and the long term costs that go with it. Short term management placements allow your business to assess the changing situation and adapt the structure until a steady state is achieved before making a permanent commitment to a fixed team.
PGC Logistics Management offers you the ability to deal with the challenging market that faces the logistics industry and supply chain in general.

Changing Circumstances Means Action

The ability to remain flexible is often the differentiating factor between the companies that ride out these difficult times and those that don’t. As the general trading conditions throughout the world affect our day to day business in the UK, flexible companies seek to change behaviours to best challenge those conditions.

Projects can be initiated for a number of reasons. We tend to think of projects as being a positive instrument; for example, a new piece of business, an expansion or a move. They can of course be a defensive action, for example, downsizing or a change in business behaviour to save costs and thus protect business.

Whatever that project may be, it is prudent to have it managed correctly. A badly managed project will fail to achieve its goals and at worst can end up costing more than the expected saving.

Many companies do not have, or no longer have their own in house project management capability. It is often far more effective to bring that skill in as required on an agreed timescale.

PGC Logistics Management has significant experience of delivering successful projects in the logistics sector built up from many years operating in the 3PL environment.

PGC Logistics Management offers a PRINCE2 accredited service to the logistics and supply chain sector. PRINCE2 is an internationally recognised project management method that is capable of being adapted to suit any size of project.
The Future

What happens next in these challenging times is anyone’s guess and quite honestly there is little that most of us can do to affect it. What we can affect is how we react to it.

If you are established in the UK and have challenges to address, or you are about to enter the UK market for the first time and are not quite sure how to approach it, perhaps PGC Logistics Management should be your first call.