The 3 supply chain megatrends changing the face of FMCG logistics in Latin America

9 June 2022

Silvia La Face Digital Customer Communication Manager

Fast Moving Consumer Goods (FMCG) businesses have to get the right product to the right customer, at the right time. However, from production and collection, to storage, customs clearance and delivery, various segments of the supply chain are susceptible to risks and challenges. Adding to the complexity are external factors like regulatory changes, emerging markets, changing consumer behaviours, weather, and pandemics.

In these situations, 3 supply chain megatrends are predicted to define Consumer Packaged Goods (CPG) businesses, and by extension, the FMCG industry in Latin America. These are supply chain transformation, technology & innovation and sustainability. In this article, we’ll delve into each trend in detail to understand the challenges and opportunities they come with.

Visibility understanding

Understanding what is happening from one end of the supply chain to the other is key to making crucial decisions in your supply chain planning.

Cost optimisation

While improving speed to market and streamlining processes, FMCG companies can reduce costs by consolidating production facilities and leveraging economies of scale. This ensures that high-quality service aligns with budgetary concerns.

Predictability

FMCG products are seasonal, perishable, have a limited shelf life and often need cold chain storage to maintain their freshness. In this situation, predictability in supply chains are essential for accurate forecasting.

Agility

The pandemic has highlighted the lack of flexibility in many supply chains. Going forward, supply chains need to ensure they are flexible enough to handle unexpected challenges.

Simplicity

The higher the number of partners involved in a supply chain, the more complex it is. With large amounts of data-handling and reliance on manual labour, it’s essential for businesses to transform supply chains and make them easier to manoeuvre.

行业内部人士分享独到见解

进入真正的综合物流世界。简单操作，即可获取启发，积累知识，获得相关的行业洞见。

解锁所有洞见

An all-in-one package with end-to-end visibility and efficiency

How our customer tracked their cargo in real time with our customised solutions and took control of their operations.

A smiling young woman holding an FMCG product in a supermarket.

Trend 1: Supply chain transformation

During the Covid-19 crisis, many FMCG businesses turned to ecommerce as their main channel. The pandemic also highlighted the growing importance of complete end-to-end visibility. This led to operational changes in a rising number of FMCG supply chains in Latin America.

In order to be prepared for the new normal, businesses need to focus on these key drivers:

A group of workers arranging FMCG items on a conveyor belt in a distribution centre.

The background

The customer in this case is the world's leading company in food processing and packaging solutions. They work closely with suppliers to provide safe food. At this particular distribution centre, the company handles the distribution of spare parts.

A male worker loading fast moving consumer goods onto a truck.

The challenge

The customer had six different carriers taking care of their logistics processes at the distribution centre. They had no visibility into the volume of cargo required in the market. Without this data, it was challenging to take control of their supply chain and predict schedules, plan delivery dates and track cargo.

Customised FMCG logistics solutions – A happy man looking at their laptop.

The solution

The employees at the centre were responsible for the distribution of small parts of machines, glue, ink. and much more. We identified the 3 main operation types in which the distribution of cargo took place:

Express: Where the consumer placed an order and the material had to be dispatched in 2 hours via a dedicated vehicle
Planned: Regular distribution with a transit time of 4 days
Prioritised: Distribution of cargo had to be done within 3 days

Further, the customer had to handle both inbound and outbound cargo. They needed a solution to manage the high volume of transportation each day. In other words, they wanted a logistics solution that could provide end-to-end visibility, from creation of the order to final delivery. For this, they needed a 4PL structure that functioned as a control tower.

We offered the customer a 100% customised solution that helped them control all their supply chain processes. We provided real-time end-to-end visibility, reports on internal and carrier performances, and conducted daily freight audits. What’s more, we allowed them to undertake reverse logistics planning, which helped them ensure that returned and redelivered products were sent to the right inventory or consumer.

Close-up of a hand on a laptop which is showcasing real-time cargo information.

The result

Through a centralised management system, the customer not only achieved visibility, but they could also standardise a high number of internal processes. As such, they are now able to:

Control volume and performance within the company and with their carriers
Save over USD30,000 in freight audits
Reduce costs on reverse logistics planning
Predict the monthly freights, returns and redeliveries based on our analysis
Track their cargo in real time with a delivery link sent after dispatch

Utilise the analytics system, Power BI, to customise and track KPIs and work towards achieving them

Trend 2: Technology

Demand for FMCG products is highly volatile, leading to constant pressure to have efficient production and accurate stock levels. To do this, businesses must interpret forecasted data and make real-time decisions. Technology can help input, analyse, and act on this data to properly manage the flow of products.

Better data integration can help provide a clearer picture of the consumers buying their products. This allows the business to meet consumer demand in the short term, whilst also enabling better long-term strategising and forecasting.

A male worker with a digital tablet checking the cargo in shelves.

Sophisticated data analytics also help distributors and retailers track inventory. By improving ordering algorithms, stores can put in more accurate orders and account for sales histories and purchasing trends. This aids in creating a streamlined, cost-efficient supply chain. Most importantly, with accurate data, logistics teams can make quick and informed decisions.

Maersk expert, Esteban Atehortua, FMCG Vertical Sales Manager, West Coast South America, A.P. Moller – Maersk, provides insights on the importance of visibility and how technology contributes to achieving it.

Firstly, it’s important to define visibility. It isn’t just about knowing where your cargo is, but also about understanding how this knowledge can be used to meet the demands of the supply chain. To do this effectively, FMCG companies need to make accurate and timely decisions so that they can keep their inventory in check. For this, SKU-level visibility is essential. What’s more, end-to-end visibility facilitates a better understanding of the business and market demand, enabling better predictions. It also provides actionable data and KPIs.

Today, it’s not too challenging to access data. But what’s missing in many cases is a holistic view of how this data works together. We’re also missing the tools that provide real-time insights that help with informed decision-making about the supply chain flow.

Another key challenge has to do with sustainability. We must find ways to ensure visibility into environmentally friendly transportation and logistics options. This data can help identify the best options for our customers to reduce their carbon footprint.

Close-up of a woman holding an FMCG product in their left hand and a mobile in the right hand.

Trend 3: Sustainability

Consumers are increasingly focusing on the environmental impact of the products they buy. They want more information about climate neutrality, the working conditions in which a product is manufactured and how a product reached the shelf. They’re also seeking to foster the development of their local economies, which has led to them using small and medium-sized Latin American businesses.

This concern for sustainability is not just from end consumers. Shareholders and investors also want their companies to commit to more environmental, social, and governance (ESG) actions in the future.

It’s all about partnership

Today, many FMCG businesses are questioning the efficiency of their supply chain practices. With constant management and strategy that go into logistics, it can be overwhelming and all-consuming.

A number of FMCG businesses would rather relinquish control of their logistics to a single supplier and focus on product development, marketing and branding. That’s why they’re looking for Supply Chain Management (SCM), Fourth Party Logistics (4PL) and Cold Chain Management (CCM) experts to take on complete management of their processes, from start to finish.

Not only that, if they find the right supplier, they can be sure that their supply chain is operating sustainably and efficiently while adopting the latest technological innovations. All, while having end-to-end visibility.

查看所有见解