Page 63 - Linkline Yearbook 2017

‘Survival Depends on Supply Chain Integration’
Linkline recently put some questions to Mike Kelly, Head of Continuous Improvement (CI) at Keeling’s Fruit, which has recently undergone significant expansion and currently imports from 42 countries worldwide.
Mike Kelly, Keeling’s Fruit
Tell us about the Keeling’s Brand and what
de nes it?
The Keeling’s brand has enjoyed unprecedented growth over the past two years, driven primarily by an organisation- wide focus on Delivery on Time (DOT), Delivery Service Level (DSL), Quality Service Level (QSL), compliance, H&S and
Cost per Unit (CPU). The success of the brand is supported by our supply chain configuration: the leagile supply chain, with flexible, quick-response capabilities downstream closer to the customer, and lean fundamentals and principles upstream, beyond the decoupling point, in order to take out costs and add value.
The brand is driven by Keeling’s retail values:
• Passion for achievement: allows us to achieve goals, pursue continuous improvement and satisfy customers.
• People matter: provides stability, secures the future of the business as well as the retention of talent, and supports organisational development.
• Integrity: builds trusting relationships, helps to attract and retain talented staff, prevents divisive behaviour and protects the brand.
• Teamwork: enhances job satisfaction and helps to achieve optimum results.
The future development of the brand will depend on a number of variables, including our ability to:
• Meet changing customer needs;
• Understand the market;
• Understand the element of customer-choice;
• Innovate and develop products that are unique; • Understand the leagile supply chain and the
synergies between quick-response mechanisms and
Continuous Improvement;
• Develop corporate strategies that are differentiated
and unique to our competitors;
• Develop sustainable supply chain management
strategies throughout the supply chain as a whole.
The CharTered InsTITuTe of LogIsTICs & TransporT 63
MIKE KELLY