THE MAJORITY of corporate America’s chief financial officers view supply chains as crucial to achieving corporate objectives. However, only 33% say business and operational plans are well integrated and 62% say their companies seem capable of making only incremental improvements today. That’s according to a survey released by UPS Consulting, the strategic consulting arm of supply chain major UPS. The survey of 247 senior financial executives also found an increasing number of CFOs determined to make improvements. In fact, nearly half of CFOs anticipate playing a vital leadership role in supply chain decisions within their companies by 2005. Currently, that figure is 34%. “It makes sense for the person who handles a company’s overall financial strength to share in the authority to make quick, decisive supply chain changes,” said Gene Long, president of UPS Consulting. Companies are starting to recognise the value of a strong alliance between supply chain management, and financial experts.”
