Leading supply chain and logistics provider Hala Supply Chain Services (Hala SCS) will release the pioneering Saudi Arabian Supply Chain Intelligence Report (SCIR) next month.

SCIR is an international, independent study of the supply chain management and logistics practices in Saudi Arabia and other emerging economies commissioned by Halal SCS.

The aim of the research was to provide insight into many forces that are driving change in supply chain management in Saudi Arabia and to demonstrate how the most successful companies are dealing with these new and evolving challenges, said a senior Hala executive.

'All supply chain and logistics managers, and chief executives keen to improve their service levels, competitive advantage and profitability should certainly not miss the opportunity to attend one of three launches taking place in the cities of Khobar, Riyadh and Jeddah,' said Hala SCS managing director Husam S. Al-Saleh.

Several astonishing insights into the operation and methodologies of the supply chain and logistics industry in Saudi Arabia were gained through the research, such as the heavy reliance on DIY strategies which not only goes against the international trend, and also appears to be negatively impacting on service levels, competitive advantage and profitability, he added.

Adding to the specialist knowledge that will be shared at the SCIR 2008 launches will be the presentation of a case study by Hala SCS on their revolutionary Route Optimisation software.

This unrivalled software system has yielded groundbreaking results when compared to any other route optimisation system previously used by companies in the Kingdom.

Custom designed to suit unique transport requirements in the region, Hala SCS will provide evidence on  how this system can increase the number of deliveries that can be achieved per vehicle per day by up to 20 per cent, as well as reduce the total distance travelled by a fleet by up to 50 per cent.

'Hala SCS firmly believes in the importance and value of sharing the full SCIR findings with the supply chain and logistics industry in Saudi Arabia, as well as some of the opportunities available to companies to reduce costs, improves productivity and the bottom line,' he noted.

Ultimately the study clearly indicates what companies should and need to be doing in order to improve services levels, gain competitive advantage and increase profitability.

By taking the recommended actions there would be positive implications not only for Saudi Arabia’s local operations, but also in improving the region’s global standing in the industry. We would therefore like to encourage supply chain and logistics managers, and chief executive officers from all industries in Saudi Arabia to join us for the launch of the full results and learn how to take their companies to the next level,” he added.

Hala SCS has commissioned a second study into the supply chain and logistics industry in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, SCIR 2009/2010. This study will also be launched to delegates at each of the three seminars, he said.-TradeArabia News Service