Logistics in the Chemical Sector - The Untapped Potential of a Euro 3,000 Billion Industry

TORONTO, ONTARIO--(Marketwired - Sept. 21, 2015) -

Editors Note: There is an infographic associated with this press release.

Leading players in the chemical industry could significantly increase their competitive advantage if they started leveraging logistics as well as other global industries do, according to new research commissioned by DHL, the world's leading logistics company. DHL's whitepaper "Supply chain in the boardroom - 5 levers to boost a chemical company's bottom line" highlights opportunities to boost performance and overcome challenges such as commoditization by getting logistics onto boardroom agendas in the chemical industry. According to the report, the five levers that can help chemical companies increase performance and competitiveness are: optimizing logistics costs, freeing up capital for better inventory management, smart investment in logistics assets, increased focus on end-to-end safety and security processes and differentiated logistics services.

"Logistics in the chemical industry is expected to run smoothly and reliably with senior executives usually only paying attention when something goes wrong and rarely regarding logistics as an opportunity," explains Michael O'Hara, Global Head of Chemicals Sector, DHL Global Forwarding. "Logistics and supply chain management should be key elements in a formula for success for global chemical companies in today's complex interconnected marketplace where products are fast being commoditized. The research has identified five levers that applied strategically at board level can restore competitive advantage, increase liquidity, and turn a standardized approach to safety and security from a cost into a benefit that adds value and attracts new customers."

With a worldwide sales value of Euro 3,000 billion, the chemical industry is one of the world's largest and most important sectors, generating international trade volumes above 700 million tons of freight annually. The industry is exceptionally diverse with complex supply chains challenged by the variety of products, highly specialized transportation and storage requirements and growing safety issues. With the ongoing globalization of the supplier and customer base, chemicals are fast becoming commodities and as a result competitive advantages are getting harder to find.

To meet these challenges, the report urges senior management to change its perception and see logistics as a strategic asset rather than a transport and delivery service. Authors of the report - Prof. Dr. Thomas Krupp (Cologne University of Applied Sciences), Prof. Dr. Carsten Suntrop, (CMC² GmbH / European University of Applied Sciences) and Uwe Veres-Homm (Fraunhofer Center for Applied Research on Supply Chain Services SCS) - found that a holistic end-to-end approach to logistics can achieve: greater logistics value through cost optimization, increased supply chain liquidity, smart investments in logistics assets, standardized safety across the supply chain, and differentiated logistics services.

Professor Dr. Thomas Krupp said: "Management boards of chemical companies usually do not perceive supply chains and logistics as opportunities for their business. The five levers we outlined provide executives with insights and recommendations of how to improve their company's capability for better performance and increased competitiveness."

Costs, security and custom-fit solutions - key levers for a best-in-class supply chain

In the report, Professors Krupp and Suntrop provide chemical companies with five key levers to use logistics strategically and outlines how to apply them. First is a fresh focus on optimizing logistics costs by adopting a 'Total Cost of Ownership' approach - this means creating an end-to-end analysis of supply chain costs and integrate supply chain and logistics management into decision-making. The second lever is freeing up capital for better balance sheet management by optimum use of just-in-time solutions and reduced inventory; innovative companies see logistics as one of the 'must-win' battles of the future.

The third lever is smart investment in the best logistics assets - owned or with service providers - and adopting a collaborative approach to get best Return on Capital Employed. The fourth lever focuses on safety and security - a number one priority for chemical companies. A proactive approach to standardizing safety across an international supply chain can be a long-term and profitable differentiator. "A boardroom that commits to developing and implementing a comprehensive supply chain management safety strategy can set its company apart from the competition," the report highlights. The fifth lever is to get the right logistics services for the product and business unit. Differentiated services and supply chains specifically designed to meet customer requirements can create a competitive advantage in an industry where standard molecules are basically the same no matter what region they are made in or by which company. The report recommends that logistics as a service differentiator is a competitive edge chemical companies should take advantage of.

The whitepaper "Supply chain in the boardroom - 5 levers to boost a Chemical company's bottom line" is available at www.dhl.com/chemical-boardroom.

You can find the press release for download as well as further information on www.dpdhl.com/pressreleases.

DHL - The logistics company for the world

DHL is the leading global brand in the logistics industry. DHL's family of divisions offer an unrivalled portfolio of logistics services ranging from national and international parcel delivery, international express, road, air and ocean transport to industrial supply chain management. With about 325,000 employees in over 220 countries and territories worldwide, DHL connects people and businesses securely and reliably, enabling global trade flows. With specialized solutions for growth markets and industries including e-commerce, technology, life sciences and healthcare, energy, automotive and retail, a proven commitment to corporate responsibility and an unrivalled presence in developing markets, DHL is decisively positioned as "The logistics company for the world".

DHL is part of Deutsche Post DHL Group. The Group generated revenues of more than 56 billion euros in 2014.

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