A Practical Introduction to Supply Chain

The book describes in practical terms how to run an excellent Supply Chain. One which delivers more than the expected cost, quality and delivery from suppliers. The need for integration between commercial, materials management and distribution parts of the supply chain is explained in terms of information flow, systems integration and the way in which people work together and form teams. The practical approaches discussed are drawn from nearly 30 years work experience and are described from the perspective of a Supply Chain manger. The book applies directly to Supply Chains involving a physical product – manufactured internally or outsourced, or some type of physical operation such as oilfield services.

David Pheasey started his working life as a Mechanical Engineer and worked as a Production Engineer for the Lucas Group in the UK. In the 1980s, computers were becoming powerful enough to run some of the systems we now take for granted and he became involved, managing the implementation of Material Requirements Planning systems. He then moved into a position responsible for materials management in a small, but growing microcomputer manufacturing business. He later took responsibility for the commercial aspects of the Supply Chain and travelled to Asia and the US, sourcing and managing suppliers. David joined Ingersoll Engineers in the early 1990s as a consultant specialising in supply chain. At that time, Ingersoll Engineers were one of the foremost implementers of cellular technology and David project managed several transformation programs involving the integration of people from functional departments into cellular and minibusiness organisations. In 2004, David and a long term colleague, Richard Wardle, set up Demand Chain International, now part of the International Consulting Network.