Time compression in the supply chain

Claims that time compression is a powerful source of competitive advantage that remains relatively underutilized in UK busineses. Details the research undertaken by the Warwick Manufacturing Group’s time compression programme (TCP) on the applications of time‐based approaches with a number of partner companies. Explores the nature of time compression in relation to the fundamental principles of the supply chain and the concept of “design for logistics”. The implication is that the complexity of these two areas of related scope can be clarified using a time‐based approach so that required management actions can be clearly identified. Highlights a new tool, time‐based process mapping, which forms part of the TCP’s standard approach to time compression, as a practical way of establishing the time‐based opportunities that exist in the business process.