Square One Supply Chain Podcast

In this show we review West Coast Ports in Canada including Port Metro Vancouver and Port of Prince Rupert Fairview Container Terminal. We discuss two big advantages of using these ports over some US ports (proximity to Asia and time savings). How they impact your total landed cost when importing goods into Canada and how to pick which port is best for you.    In our featured news, the Wall Street Journal highlights the search for supply chain talent and how supply chain decision-making is happening more on an executive level. http://www.wsj.com/articles/companies-see-massive-shift-in-search-for-supply-chain-talent-1432327353   The featured resource is an ebook from Home Deliver World 2015.  Key West Coast Factors and Trends in Retail, Etail and Home Delivery.  http://blogs.terrapinn.com/home-delivery/2015/05/22/west-coast-delivery-info/?utm_source=WestCoastEbook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=LinkedIn

In this episode you'll understand what is an inland port and benefits of moving goods/products through them. How shipping to an inland port impacts your total landed cost such as inventory and occupancy. Also how to know if shipping to an inland port is right for your business.  In our featured news we discuss the resiliency of the industrial real estate market in the Calgary Region despite the downturn of the economy due to low oil prices. http://calgaryherald.com/business/commercial-real-estate/calgary-industrial-real-estate-resilient-during-economic-downturn   Our resource for business is a checklist for calculating your total landed cost. That's found in "Guide to total landed cost" ebook:   www.landedcost.ca    

In this episode we explore the benefits of a customs broker, when/why you might want to use them, how they impact your total landed cost and how to find the right one for your business. Our featured news includes FEDEX's $4.8 billion(US) acquisition of European rival TNT Express and what it means for FEDEX's global expansion plans.    Our resources for the week: 1. Canada Border Services Agency's list of licensed customs broker http://www.cbsa-asfc.gc.ca/services/cb-cd/cb-cd-eng.html   2. Dictionary of International Trade (10th Edition): A-Z on things around world trade such as truck trailers, standard rail cars, terms, and world currencies. http://store.worldtradepress.com/Dictionary_of_International_Trade.php

In this episode we discuss the pros and cons of building, buying and leasing. Each one can significantly impact your bottom line and total landed cost when shipping your products. We also talk about the importance of surrounding yourself with the right team of experts when making this decision.    Featured resource: Contact one of your local commercial real estate brokers (e.g. Colliers, CBRE, Avison Young, Cresa, etc...) to get some expert help on making the decision when building, buying or leasing.   

In this episode we discuss how to caculate total landed cost, what it is used for and why it's important for businesses moving their goods across Canada and beyond.  We also explore the four main buckets of the total landed cost model including: Outbound, Occupancy, Inventory and Inbound.   Our highlighted resource: 2008 Canadian Report: State of Logistics Looks at supply chain costs in different sectors in Canada.  http://www.ic.gc.ca/eic/site/dsib-logi.nsf/eng/h_pj00458.html

On this episode of Square One Supply Chain we recap our attendance at the 2015 Cargo Logistics Conference. We discuss things to consider when shipping to the right market. How choosing the right location impacts your bottom line and choosing the right port to ship to. The difference between a port and an inland port. The difference between shipping as a retailer or manufacturer. We also touch on pros and cons of shipping via truck, rail, air and ocean.   Resource for shippers Canadian Trade Commissioner Service The CN and CP websites Look up: Long combination vehicles

On this episode of the Square One Supply Chain Podcast we discuss things to consider when moving goods across Canada. We also talk about the impact of sudden decrease of oil and Canadian dollar.  We get into Target closing up shop in Canada and how to use the custom broker. We also make our Superbowl picks.    Also download our new ebook:  Guide to Total Landed Cost For businesses that want to understand how to calculate the costs of tranporting goods to and across Canada.