Business

Navigating global trade and supply chain challenges

Published

1 year ago

2025/04/1

An extreme weather event; a flooded Sri Lankan paddy field.

This article aims to provide a comprehensive understanding of a major challenge to the smooth flow of the supply chain, “The stockouts”, their causes and most importantly, effective strategies to prevent them.

I strongly feel this topic is quite appropriate at a time where most of the companies struggle to eliminate bottlenecks in their supply chains.

In today’s fast-paced business environment, maintaining optimal inventory levels is crucial for success. As businesses strive to meet ever-changing consumer demands, the challenge of preventing stockouts becomes increasingly complex and a robust supply chain planning process with long, medium and short term strategies are key to the success of the supply chain.

Stockouts occur when a business runs out of inventory for a particular product, leaving them unable to fulfill customer requirements.

Let us understand common causes of stockouts. Inaccurate demand forecasting is a major cause as our markets depend on a demand-driven forecast. Poor inventory management is seen in many organizations with inefficient tracking systems or human errors in inventory counts, misleading stock levels, lead time. and sales/ stock miscalculations. Such supply chain disruptions interrupt the flow of goods.

In an increasingly unpredictable world, supply chain (S.C.) disruptions are no longer an exception but the rule. Factors such as natural disasters, geopolitical tensions, extreme weather events, pandemics, labour and raw material shortages, infrastructure challenges, logistical issues, seasonal fluctuations and long lead times due to unexpected conditions and holidays in supplier country have made supply chain professionals a more complex situation. Hence, the supply chain professionals at the customer end should be very knowledgeable in respect of the above conditions when forecasting and final planning as per correct demand.

Stockouts can have far-reaching consequences that extend beyond the immediate loss of sale and revenue. Other such consequences are decreased customer satisfaction, potentially damaging long-term loyalty, reduced brand reputation as frequent stockouts erode trust in your brand and increased operational costs rushing to restock items as a preventive measure.

(Agile supply chains at a higher cost of material and shipping) and market-share loss.

By recognizing these consequences, businesses should focus on implementing robust stockout prevention strategies and investing in effective inventory management solutions.

Let us now discuss as to how we should avoid stockouts and what the key strategies are?

Maintaining accurate inventory records is fundamental to preventing stockouts. Effective inventory management strategies and tools should provide real-time visibility into stock levels. For this, advanced inventory management software systems must be utilized for automated reordering and calculating re-order points.

However, inventory professionals should obtain information (data) with specific, timely, and a very accurate manner. This is why the organizations fail today in computing the correct re-order levels/points.

What to order, when to order, and how much to order depend on the accuracy of such data. If it fails, the entire supply chain will face lots of disruptions.

Further, regular cycle counts, ABC analysis based on consumption values and, VED/SDE/HML stock analysis are vital tools to avoid stockouts and excess stocks.

VED- Vital, Essential, Desired

SDE- Scarce, Difficult to obtain, Easy to obtain as per lead times.

HML -High, Medium, Lowpriced items

I would recommend staff training, utilizing barcode systems, and streamline receiving and issuing processes too to uplift the inventory management system.

Therefore, I wish to reiterate, that accurate Inventory data forms the foundation for effective demand forecasting & inventory optimization strategies.

Determining appropriate stock levels is one of the most challenging tasks faced by inventory managers. To mitigate the risk of stock outs due to uncertainties in supply or demand, Safety stock (or buffer stock) is maintained by stock controllers, which intends to cover any shortfall in cycle stock (moving stock) during the lead time period. It is an important element of the re-order point formula.

Reorder Point (ROP) = (Average consumption × Lead time) + Safety Stock

However, the stock should be balanced between overstock and stock-out situations. There are many methods of calculating the safety stock, such as fixed safety stock, time-based safety stock, and average/max calculations.

(Max. sales × Max. lead time) – (Average sales × Average lead time) = Projected Safety Stock

There are statistical calculations as well.

The performance of the supply chain should be monitored and reviewed. Supply chain manager should “keep an eye’ on the progress on an ongoing basis and gather formal and informal control information. KPI, balance score card, bench-marking( best in class strategy) ,TQM (continuous improvement) are some of the tools to assess the performance of the organization.

Digital transformation revolutionizing inventory management practices within supply chain is offering unprecedented opportunities and challenges for business worldwide. The digital technologies significantly enhance inventory visibility, improved accuracy, advanced demand forecasting and streamlined supply chain collaboration. Despite these benefits, challenges such as system integration complexities, high implementation costs data quality management, cyber security risks and regulatory compliance issues are prevalent.

In today’s world of pandemics, geopolitical shocks and extreme weather events,

efficiency alone is a fragile strategy, The goal is no longer, just resilience, it is ANTIFRAGILITY which means getting stronger from shocks rather than just surviving them.

(The writer is an experienced lecturer and consultant on Supply Chain Management)

E mail- suveentrading@yahoo.com

By Denver Brian Coorey

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Business

Cross-border supply chains seen as key to new business opportunities

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

Dignitaries at the launching of the new dhal processing factory.

By Ifham Nizam

Australian High Commissioner to Sri Lanka Matthew Duckworth described Omega Traders’ latest investment in a modern dhal-processing facility as a strong example of how cross-border supply chains can translate into productive investment, local value addition and new business opportunities in Sri Lanka.

The investment, which adds a 150-metric-tonne-per-eight-hour-day processing capacity to Omega Traders’ operations, marks a significant expansion of the company’s manufacturing footprint as it celebrates 45 years in Sri Lanka’s food commodity industry.

Speaking at the inauguration of the new Lentil and Orid Dhal Processing Factory in Wattala, last Friday, H.C. Duckworth said the facility represented more than an increase in production capacity, pointing to the wider economic value created when Australian agricultural production is connected with Sri Lankan processing and distribution.

‘This facility is not operating on its own. It is part of a long supply chain and a trade partnership between Sri Lanka and Australia, Duckworth said.

His comments placed the Omega Traders’ investment within a broader commercial context: Australia brings agricultural production and established export capabilities, while Sri Lanka provides processing capacity, labour, market access and opportunities for further value addition.

The investment comes as Sri Lanka continues to look towards greater domestic processing and value-added manufacturing rather than relying solely on the import and distribution of finished commodities.

Dr. (Mrs.) Siddhika G. Senaratne, Director General/CEO of the Sri Lanka Standards Institution (SLSI), who attended the inauguration as Guest of Honour, highlighted the importance of quality assurance in food processing and the role of standards in maintaining confidence across the supply chain.

The facility is equipped with new-generation cleaning, processing, sorting and quality-control machinery, including advanced colour-sorting technology, automated systems and an in-house quality-control laboratory.

The additional capacity will support Omega Traders’ three principal Mysoor Dhal brands — Rainbow Jumbo Dhal, Komas Dhal and Rozanna Dhal — which serve different segments of the Sri Lankan market.

But the investment also has a distinctly local agricultural dimension.

Through its Orid Dhal operation, Omega Traders plans to source locally grown black matpe from Sri Lankan farmers and process it at the new facility.

That creates a domestic value chain linking farmers to industrial processing and consumers, while potentially increasing demand for locally produced agricultural commodities.

Duckworth said this type of business partnership could generate benefits for both countries.

‘Australia produces some of the world’s best agricultural products and we are very efficient and very capable at trading them. But that alone is not going to bring success to Australia. Just as building a factory like this is not going to bring success to Sri Lanka, he said.

‘It’s when we bring these entities together that our products produced in Australia can be processed in excellence here in Sri Lanka that enables this to be a success, the H.C. explained.

The investment therefore combines two complementary supply streams: imported agricultural commodities, including Australian-origin products, and locally produced black matpe for the Orid Dhal operation.

For Sri Lanka, the business significance extends beyond Omega Traders itself. Increased processing capacity creates demand for logistics, packaging, distribution, services and agricultural inputs, while supporting employment within the food-processing ecosystem.

Business

Ideal Motors makes history with multiple workplace excellence accolades

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

Representatives from Ideal Motors (Pvt) Ltd receive top organizational culture and workplace accolades at the Great Place to Work® 2026 awards ceremony.

HR-led transformation places people, culture and business performance at the heart of the organisation

Ideal Motors (Pvt) Ltd,has achieved a significant milestone by securing multiple prestigious workplace and organisational culture accolades in 2026, reinforcing its position as an employer of choice in Sri Lanka’s automotive sector.

Among its latest achievements, Ideal Motors has been recognised as one of the 20 Great Workplaces for Young Talent in Sri Lanka 2026, ranked No. 1 and awarded the Gold Medal in the Small and Medium category of Best Workplaces™ in Sri Lanka 2026, and ranked No. 18 among Best Workplaces™ in Asia in the Medium Scale category—the highest-ranked Sri Lankan organisation in the category. The company also received Industry Excellence for Workplace Culture – Trading Industry.

The Young Talent recognition was presented at the Great Place To Work® CXO Forum 2026 held on 10 September 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo. The recognition followed an evaluation of more than 100 certified organisations and highlights workplaces that create meaningful opportunities for employees under 35 to develop, contribute and grow.

At the Best Workplaces™ in Sri Lanka Awards Gala 2026, held on 11 September 2026 at Cinnamon Life, Colombo, Ideal Motors achieved another historic milestone by entering the Best Workplaces Sri Lanka list for the first time and securing the No. 1 Gold Medal in the Small and Medium category. The company also achieved No. 18 in Best Workplaces™ in Asia, reflecting the strength of its workplace culture beyond Sri Lanka.

These achievements represent more than a collection of awards. They reflect the transformation taking place within Ideal Motors, where people, culture and business performance are increasingly viewed as interconnected drivers of sustainable growth.

Over the past few years, the organisation’s HR function has evolved from a predominantly administrative role into a strategic business partner, with greater emphasis on employee experience, capability development, engagement, performance, communication, wellbeing, diversity and inclusion, and data-driven HR practices.

Business

AAC takes seat belt safety message to Colombo motorists

Published

16 hours ago

2026/09/22

Sahan Weerasooriya

AAC staff distribute seat belt safety material to motorists on Galle Face Centre Road, Colombo.

The Automobile Association of Ceylon (AAC) conducted a seat belt safety awareness programme in front of its headquarters and along Galle Face Centre Road, encouraging motorists and passengers to make seat belt use a habit on every journey.

AAC staff, working alongside officers of the Sri Lanka Police Traffic Division, distributed specially designed hanging tags and stickers to drivers. The material carries a clear reminder that seat belts protect drivers as well as passengers in both the front and rear seats.

The public awareness drive was held ahead of the requirement taking effect on 20 September 2026, under which seat belt use becomes mandatory for every occupant of a vehicle travelling on an expressway.

AAC emphasized that the regulation should be understood as a life-saving measure rather than only a legal obligation. Wearing a seat belt can help prevent occupants from being thrown inside or from a vehicle during a collision and can lessen the severity of injuries.

The Association said road safety legislation must be supported by sustained public education, visible enforcement and responsible behaviour by all road users. The participation of the Traffic Police helped the campaign reach motorists directly in a busy part of central Colombo.