ABSTRACT
This chapter unravels why and provides some practical ideas to improve the operation of your international supply chain. It includes how to reduce the lead time in manufacturer's international supply chain. The chapter reduces inventory and risk in manufacturer's international supply chain by increasing shipping frequency. It shows how to use repetitive flexible replenishment to simplify and streamline manufacture's international supply chain and how to manage low-volume items from international suppliers. The chapter explains how to assess the total costs for your overseas sourced materials and products and compare them with those of locally sourced alternatives. It has been mainly dedicated to helping one streamline and simplify their international supply chain to provide with more stable supply of the imported materials and reduce the risk of shortages. However, it may also be worthwhile to assess whether importing materials makes economic sense for business at all.
