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Study: Apple, Nokia, Dell Tops Among Global SupplyChains

AMR Research's annual list of the top 25 supply chains puts Apple at the top for meeting

iPhone demand. Procter & Gamble, IBM, Wal-Mart, Toyota top list of global

manufacturers and retailers. Read who else is on the list.

By Thomas Wailgum

THU, MAY 29, 2008 — CIO — AMR Research released its fifth-annual "Supply Chain Top 25" list,and leading the supply chain pack this year is Apple. "Apple is No. 1 in 2008, signifying an epicshift away from the 20th-century production-efficiency mentality to a new era of value based onideas, design and content," notes the AMR Research report.

The iconic iPod and iPhone maker took the top spot due to "an intoxicating mix of brilliant

industrial design, transcendent software interfaces and consumable goods that are purely digital,"

write AMR's Tony Friscia, Kevin O’Marah, Debra Hofman and Joe Souza in the report. "The

mechanical and financial benefits of this approach include extremely high inventory turns, minimal

material or capacity limitations to growth, and excellent margins."

In addition, Apple’s "outstanding" financials proved impressive in all the categories AMR used to

calculate the Top 25 rankings. AMR determines the top supply chains by analyzing a combination

of corporate financial measures, inventory data, and peer company and AMR analyst opinion.

Historically, notes the AMR report, Apple had a reputation for poor supply chain performance. But

that has all changed.

"With its introduction of the iPhone, Apple could have stumbled meeting demand or failed onquality. It did neither," states the report. "Behind-the-scenes moves like tying up essential

components well in advance and upgrading basic information systems have enabled Apple to

handle the demands of its rabid fan base without having to fall back on their forgiveness for 

mistakes." The AMR list is interesting in part because supply chain management is tough to get

right in the global economy. (See Fraud and Theft Risks in Global Supply Chains Are

Everywhere, How ConAgra's Pot Pie Recall Bakes In Hard Lessons for Supply Chain

Management and The Supple Supply Chain for more on supply chain challenges.)

To create its list, AMR used publicly available, 2007 financial data along with analysis and opinion

from supply chain experts who are customers and suppliers, along with analysis by AMR

researchers. (The AMR report contains a full explanation of the process.)

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See "The AMR Research Supply Chain Top 25," below.

The AMR Research Supply Chain Top 25

These 25 companies demonstrate leadership in applying demand-driven principles to their global

supply chains.The Top 25 AMR Comment

1. Apple"Brilliant mix of design, software interfaces and consumable goods that arepurely digital."

2. Nokia“Leads the way in "supplier collaboration practices, design for supply chain andembedded innovation."

3. Dell "Outstanding inventory turns" and high marks from peers.

4. Procter & Gamble "demonstrated leadership, and an extension of the boundaries on innovation."

5. IBM I "Pioneer in supply chain management, with a track record of sharing itslearnings."

6. Wal-Mart Stores "Translates consumer needs into sophisticated segmentation strategies."

7. Toyota Motor "An icon among manufacturing aficionados."

8. Cisco Systems Noted for work with sales channel.

9. SamsungElectronics

Excels at "fine-tuning its supply-demand balancing decisions."

10. Anheuser-Busch Demonstrates "solid focus on delivery-to-schedule excellence in manufacturing."

11. PepsiCo "Sophisticated supply network planning, a focus on innovation, and anincreasingly diverse product portfolio."

12. Tesco"A major focus on streamlining supply chain operations at home, and aggressiveinternational growth strategy."

13. Coca-Cola"Relentless focus on supply chain operations and translating downstreamdemand insights into loyal customers."

14. Best Buy A leader in "home service and workforce management innovations."

15. Nike Noted for excellent blocking and tackling on its supply chain.

16. SonyEricsson "Excels in customer and channel demand management."

17. Walt DisneyHandles "a growing retail presence and a complex set of supply chain

challenges."

18. Hewlett-Packard Has "streamlined operations on a scale and at a speed that defy belief."

19. Johnson & Johnson

Strong results through big acquisition, high marks from peers.

20. Schlumberger An "almost-obsessive corporate focus on building supply chain talent."

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21. TexasInstruments

Recognized for its technology leadership and operational efficiency.

22. Lockheed MartinManages massive supply chain with emphasis on "next-generation lean thinkingand supplier and program management."

23. Johnson Controls "Track record for supply chain innovation in a notoriously tough industry."

24. Royal Ahold "Stellar" inventory turns and operational efficiency and productivity.

25. Publix SuperMarkets

"Known for its strong brand innovation and leadership in generic drug discountprograms."