Optimizing supply chain management

Agile cement supply chain spurs growth by focusing on avoiding potential shortages and eliminating excessively stocked inventory.

Higher degrees of efficiency in supply chain and logistics are becoming paramount for India's cement companies struggle to cope with market pressures and the need for cost reduction. Most industry players are looking at ways to optimize not only the production processes, but also everything that happens outside the plant, that is directly linked to sourcing and delivery.

Supply chain management challenges

When dealing with customers, Indian cement makers have to consider the needs and preferences of two major consumer segments. First, the individual house builders. These are retail customers with limited technical knowledge of construction materials, which means that brand value and durability are their top most criteria for selection. Second, the Infra-Commercial and Industrial segment, which consists of builders and big construction companies who have sufficient technical knowledge of product. Quality, price and service are the most important for these buyers.

Read the rest of this article in India Cement and Construction Materials (ICCM) journal, issue 33.