PetSmart’s Chief Supply Chain Officer highlights the strategic use of the Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) data platform to enhance supply chain decision-making and predict potential delays.
PetSmart’s Proactive Supply Chain Management
At the recent TPM24 conference in Long Beach, California, PetSmart’s Chief Supply Chain Officer, Ed Oldham, shared insights into how the company is utilizing the federal Freight Logistics Optimization Works (FLOW) data platform to refine its supply chain operations. The platform, which was initiated in 2022, has garnered participation from over 55 entities, including carriers, ports, and shippers like PetSmart.
Strategic Planning with Advanced Data
The FLOW platform provides PetSmart with a wealth of data, including information on bookings, terminal slots, chassis availability, and gate movements. This data enables the retailer to predict and prepare for potential congestion or delays, allowing for more strategic and less reactionary decision-making. By anticipating issues weeks in advance, PetSmart can adjust its supply chain plans efficiently, avoiding costly last-minute solutions such as airfreight.
Learning from Past Challenges
PetSmart’s approach has been shaped by past experiences during the pandemic when pet food shortages prompted the company to collaborate closely with transportation and manufacturing partners to bolster supply. Oldham emphasized the importance of optimizing in-store dates, which dictate when products must be available in stores. Delays can disrupt these plans, necessitating quick adjustments to transport arrangements or product offerings.
Averting Reactive Measures
The goal for PetSmart is to sidestep reactive measures that incur unnecessary expenses and fail to enhance business operations. With the insights provided by FLOW, the company can manage delays more effectively, informing decisions with accurate data and simplifying the process of navigating supply chain challenges.
Industry Embraces FLOW
The FLOW initiative has attracted significant interest from the supply chain industry, as noted by Andrew Petrisin, advisor for multimodal freight and head of the FLOW initiative at the Department of Transportation. The platform’s ability to provide comprehensive data is proving invaluable for shippers seeking to optimize their supply chain strategies.
