U.S. Military Launches Supply Chain Partnership

The U.S. Army's Logistics effort during Operation Desert Storm was widely credited for the success of that mission. Since then, the U.S. Department of Defense has been rather quiet about its supply chain successes, or lack thereof. That could be about to change, as three government agencies -- United States Transportation Command (USTRANSCOM), Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) and U.S. General Services Administration (GSA) -- have established a formal partnership designed to improve supply chain management for the U.S. military's armed forces.

"This agreement provides us with an excellent opportunity to better align supply chain management, and solidify interagency partnerships in support of the warfighter," says Air Force Gen. Norton A. Schwartz, USTRANSCOM commander, ("Warfighter" is military-speak for any member of the U.S. armed forces.)

• improving operations, information sharing and integrated supply chain operations planning;
• adopting shared processes to gain efficiencies in the delivery of goods and services to the military;
• determining IT requirements to enhance warfighter support capabilities and implement solutions;
• developing shared customer relationship activities and initiatives;
• sharing supply chain and distribution business intelligence and current events information regarding ongoing or potential initiatives and innovations;
• collaborating across boundaries of the agencies;
• seeking partnering opportunities whenever they arise.

See Also

• Global Logistics is on the Move
• Supply Chain Solutions
• The Chemical Supply Chain: By The Numbers
• Bookshelf: Supply Chain Excellence: A Handbook for Dramatic Improvement Using the SCOR Model, 2nd Edition
• The Five Myths of Import Compliance
• Portrait of a Best-in-Class Warehouse
• Supply Chain Spending Spree
• MIT Launches Supply Chain Center in Latin America