Supply chain experts target SMEs
In a bid to boost flagging businesses at a time when high oil prices and interest rates are sapping profits, a company which promotes information-sharing and networking is encouraging small and medium-sized companies to sign up to its programmes, offering cost-savings in return.
ECR (Thailand) Co Ltd - whose initials stand for efficient consumer response - acts as a centre for manufacturers and retailers to share trade information and cooperate to create an effective supply chain. Mangkorn Dhanasarnsilp, vice chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries, said yesterday that in the nine years since ECR was founded it had had 67 companies signing up as members and saving a total of Bt38 billion between them. Its members include consumer products giants Unilever and Proctor & Gamble, Nestlé, Sahapat, Big C Supercentre, The Mall department store, Tops supermarket, and convenience store chain 7-Eleven. Mangkorn said these companies had been studying managing supply chain systems both within their own businesses and with their trading partners, using ECR's programmes. He added that manufacturers and retailers must trust each other in order to share information on production volume, time of manufacturing, sales volume and consumer demand as this enables both parties to precisely manage their supply chain and eventually save costs. However, Mangkorn said the company still had only a few small and medium-sized businesses as members. It therefore wants to create wider awareness of its programme and plans public relations activities to attract more SMEs. Membership for SMEs is Bt5,000 per year, while larger companies pay Bt10,000. Membership gives SMEs the opportunity to meet larger manufacturers and retailers, while those companies can meet smaller entrepreneurs who might have interesting products and business ideas. Mangkorn said ECR had enabled many companies to sell products 50 per cent cheaper than normal, thus boosting sales.
Nitida Asawanipont The Nation
|
