New Research Uncovers Latest Medical Device Supply Chain key challenges

Research conducted with medical device supply chain VPs and directors shows that Cost Control Supply Chain Efficiency Patient Safety & Customer Collaboration are the most pressing challenges & goals for medical device manufacturers
 
July 12, 2012 - PRLog -- Research conducted over the last six months with medical device supply chain VPs and directors shows that Cost Control, Supply Chain Efficiency, Patient Safety and Customer Collaboration are  the most pressing challenges and goals for Europe’s top 10 medical device manufacturers.

In interviews carried out with supply chain directors  from Boston Scientific, Medtronic, Johnson & Johnson, GE Healthcare, CareFusion and more showed that they were keen to share their objectives and inhibitors. They are striving to deliver operational excellence through cutting costs and maximising efficiency, achieving inventory optimisation and reducing risk, improve KPI management, and adopting data standards to deliver bottom-line benefits. Most supply chain VPs are under pressure to cut costs but to also create a truly flexible, value added, end-to-end supply chain.

How are they planning to do this? Several supply chain directors highlighted the need to approach the end-to-end supply chain in a holistic fashion, working closely on inventory management and, most importantly, understanding the customer requirements and working with them.

In order to do this medical device supply chain VPs and directors are looking to collaborate with both hospitals and service providers. They told researchers that collaboration to improve products, lead times and price is imperative if they are to remain competitive and in line with their customer’s requirements. Much of the work that needs to be done requires help from software providers (for example inventory management), 3PLs (mainly reducing lead times) and consultants (streamlining the supply chain).

In October, supply chain VPs and Directors from Europe’s top 20 medical device manufacturers will gather in Brussels to learn more about each others challenges and share ideas to move their supply chains forward. Interestingly PWC and McKinsey who have recently conducted surveys and detailed research across the medical device supply chain will share their findings with them. Together with the service providers, these medical device supply chain leaders plan to advance their operations and make direct impact their businesses bottom line.

The meeting mentioned above is the LogiMed conference and exhibition taking place at Hotel Le Plaza, Brussels on October 9th – 11th. For more details, contact the organisers at logimed@wbr.co.uk or visit www.logimedeurope.com/
End



Like PRLog?
9K2K1K
Click to Share