very little room for manoeuvre, especially when coupled with the dictates of lean operations and the variable quality of local transport infrastructure.

A worrying aspect of these longer chains is that research by Evolution Time Critical shows that they are often far from lean. Logistics specialists, concerned by the increased fragility of an extended supply chain into areas of relatively poor infrastructure, have been building in additional stock and extending delivery windows to a degree that has a significant impact on the savings achieved though lower production costs. The true benefits of manufacturing in these regions will only be felt when the supply-chain is leaned to world-class levels.
Sometimes the logistical issues maybe completely out of the control of the supplier; local closures, industrial action and natural disasters, among others, can all play a part in preventing consignments getting from A to B. This is where the local knowledge of an emergency logistics operator comes to the fore. Knowing what exists outside the 'normal' transport channels is a key factor that makes emergency logistics companies so important. Granted, many logistical activities can and do take advantage of scheduled transportation, but it is through the regional and chartered services that the clever stuff really takes place, combined with knowledge of how to avoid many of the pitfalls that can occur with scheduled transport.
In many cases, the emergency logistics firm will have to invent a route and timetable and then bring in the resources to help achieve the delivery schedules. Indeed chartered aircraft, on-board couriers and night deliveries are employed to this end

likely points of failure, defining minimumtransport times and researching possible transport modes provides data on where savings can be made, and where additional robustness is worth paying for. Then, if a problem does arise, there is confidence that the emergency logistics company (often involved in the planning) can get the goods to the factory on-time.
Evolution Time Critical has been called into action on countless occasions over the last few years to solve logistics problems. The issues can arise from a number complications but the basic premise is always to ensure that enough parts can be delivered to ensure seamless production but not through normal logistics channels. It is in these situations that emergency logistics firms such as Evolution Time Critical earn their justifiably exemplary reputation, namely their ability to help when things absolutely have to be in a certain place at a certain time.

Like all successful manufacturing methodologies, lean is here to stay, or at least until someone comes up with something better. And, like many other management principles it takes an almost ruthless degree of conformity to make it work. It is for this reason that it is also very sensitive to change and, by 'leaning' supply chains down to their bare minimum, any changes can have wide ranging repercussions. If everything always works perfectly, then there is no need for contingencies, but this is not a perfect world so they have to be in place, even if it is just to ensure peace of mind. Liken it to a car journey… would you set out with exactly the right amount of petrol to get you to your destination? Probably not. But if you did, would you keep a small extra tank in the boot… just in case?

quite regularly. It may sound simple, but it is not! It takes a great deal of understanding and an intimate knowledge of what is available before alternative logistical arrangement can often be made. Knowing the critical delivery modes available along all points of the route and then synchronising them to work in harmony takes years of experience and a lifetime of practice. But, get it all working together, and the production schedule is completely unaffected. Just as important, all parties have important peace of mind, thanks to real-time shipment status information received from the emergency logistics provider every step of the way.

Vehicle manufacturers are therefore increasingly integrating emergency logistics with their supply chain planning. Identifying