Even with all of the potential free trade agreements (FTAs) companies can take advantage of, it’s little surprise that many U.S. importers are spinning when it comes to qualifying goods based on the restrictive regulations for sourcing inputs and raw materials.
Topics: Duty Management, Free Trade Agreements, Bill of Material Qualification, Supplier Solicitation Campaigns
Free trade agreements and foreign trade zones offer an attractive opportunity for US importers to reduce or eliminate duties and taxes, but these benefits hide behind a maze of complex protocols, dense paperwork, and red tape. Sourcing and supply chain executives must also balance duty considerations against material quality, production capacity, and number of components.
Topics: Duty Management, Certificate Management, Foreign-Trade Zones, Free Trade Agreements, Supplier Solicitation Campaigns
Organizations that successfully align with their key suppliers enjoy reduced risk factors and improved innovation, quality, reliability, supplier visibility, and cost reductions. Both sides of the business can achieve greater value, which is difficult to achieve if operating independently.
Amber Road customer Dick’s Sporting Goods has adopted new technology to automate and simplify the supplier relationship management process, making it easy for sourcing executives to make quick, informed decisions about their suppliers.
Topics: Supplier Management, Supplier Solicitation Campaigns, Global Sourcing, Production Management, Apparel, Retail, Product Management
What is the best department to oversee trade compliance? American Shipper’s recent report, “Import Operations and Compliance Benchmark Study: The Secrets of Import Success” suggests that best practice would be to have trade compliance reside in the compliance department. Their assertion makes sense at face value, but John Wainwright, Vice President of Customs Compliance at Leggett & Platt, made a compelling case for the procurement side of things in discussion with Steve Banker from ARC Advisory Group for Logistics Viewpoints earlier this week.
Leggett & Platt designs and produces engineered components used in industrial and consumer finished products. As a manufacturer, it makes the most sense for trade compliance to report up through procurement. And since Leggett & Platt has been using Amber Road’s Global Trade Management (GTM) solution for about ten years, the company has been able to remain compliant with changing regulations and a growing international supply chain. The solution has also made Leggett & Platt a much better partner to its suppliers, with increased visibility and easy filing through a secure online portal.
Topics: Supplier Management, Import Management, Supplier Solicitation Campaigns, Importer Security Filing
Amber Road CEO Jim Preuninger is highlighted as a new expert contributor in Supply Chain Digest magazine with a bylined article on Supporting the Segmented Supply Chain with GTM Solutions.
Topics: Supplier Management, GTM Best Practices, Global Trade Management, Supplier Solicitation Campaigns
