---
title: Seven Rules to Supply Chain Success
description: Customodal helps U.S. manufacturers succeed with logistics solutions as domestic manufacturing grows, driven by innovation and shorter supply chains.
image: https://blog.customodal.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tips-for-supply-chain-management-1-e1692987768818-1.jpg
---

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# Seven Rules to Supply Chain Success

TAGS:

- [Blog](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/blog)
- [3pl](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/3pl)
- [Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/logistics)
- [Freight Brokerage](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-brokerage)
- [Inbound Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inbound-freight)
- [Digital Freight Management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/digital-freight-management)
- [Shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping)
- [supply chain](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/supply-chain)
- [Freight Costs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-costs)
- [Outbound Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/outbound-freight)
- [Specialized Freight Management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/specialized-freight-management)
- [Technology](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/technology)
- [Freight Forwarding](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-forwarding)
- [TMS](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/tms)
- [LTL](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ltl)
- [freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight)
- [Featured](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/featured)
- [Freight Savings](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-savings)
- [Logistics Planning](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/logistics-planning)
- [Controlling Costs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/controlling-costs)
- [Digital Freight Brokering](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/digital-freight-brokering)
- [supply chain challenges](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/supply-chain-challenges)
- [avoid extra fees](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/avoid-extra-fees)
- [Inbound-Outbound Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inbound-outbound-freight)
- [Strategic Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/strategic-logistics)
- [manufacturing](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/manufacturing)
- [outbound](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/outbound)
- [Critical Infrastructure](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/critical-infrastructure)
- [FLEX Outbound Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/flex-outbound-freight)
- [Tracking](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/tracking)
- [import](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/import)
- [sustainability](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/sustainability)
- [visibility](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/visibility)
- [API](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/api)
- [Compliance](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/compliance)
- [EXACT Inbound](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/exact-inbound)
- [EXACT Inbound Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/exact-inbound-freight)
- [Freight Cost Tracking](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-cost-tracking)
- [Outbound Freight Savings](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/outbound-freight-savings)
- [Precision ROI](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/precision-roi)
- [Project-based Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/project-based-logistics)
- [Vendor Performance](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/vendor-performance)
- [documentation](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/documentation)
- [export](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/export)
- [freight claim](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-claim)
- [freight management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-management)
- [inbound freight costs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inbound-freight-costs)
- [incoterms](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/incoterms)
- [meet the team](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/meet-the-team)
- [ocean freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ocean-freight)
- [parcel](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/parcel)
- [save money](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/save-money)
- [supplychain](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/supplychain)
- [Carrier Selection](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/carrier-selection)
- [Critical Freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/critical-freight)
- [Data Driven](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/data-driven)
- [Freight Claims](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-claims)
- [Risk Mitigation](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/risk-mitigation)
- [Turnaround Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/turnaround-logistics)
- [Uptime](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/uptime)
- [current events](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/current-events)
- [inbound](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inbound)
- [priority1](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/priority1)
- [recession](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/recession)
- [shipping delay](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-delay)
- [4pl](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/4pl)
- [Analytics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/analytics)
- [Customs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/customs)
- [Dock Management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/dock-management)
- [Downtime](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/downtime)
- [FLEX Freight Control](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/flex-freight-control)
- [Heavy Haul](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/heavy-haul)
- [International](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/international)
- [SDK](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/sdk)
- [Strategic Outsourcing](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/strategic-outsourcing)
- [book review](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/book-review)
- [canada](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/canada)
- [covid 19](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/covid-19)
- [customodal way](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/customodal-way)
- [delivery](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/delivery)
- [digital freight broking](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/digital-freight-broking)
- [exports](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/exports)
- [freight broker](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-broker)
- [ftl](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ftl)
- [holidays](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/holidays)
- [in the news](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/in-the-news)
- [logisitics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/logisitics)
- [mike eberl](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/mike-eberl)
- [news](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/news)
- [oceanfreight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/oceanfreight)
- [packaging](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/packaging)
- [rates](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/rates)
- [save on freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/save-on-freight)
- [save on shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/save-on-shipping)
- [shipping news](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-news)
- [shipping solutions](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-solutions)
- [small parcel audit](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/small-parcel-audit)
- [small parcel refunds](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/small-parcel-refunds)
- [truckload](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/truckload)
- [update](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/update)
- [2022](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/2022)
- [2022 shipping expectations](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/2022-shipping-expectations)
- [Alaska](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/alaska)
- [Carbon Accounting](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/carbon-accounting)
- [Cold Chain](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/cold-chain)
- [Customs Broker](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/customs-broker)
- [EXACT](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/exact)
- [Electrical Utilities](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/electrical-utilities)
- [Freight Control](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-control)
- [Green Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/green-logistics)
- [Hawaii](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/hawaii)
- [Hazmat](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/hazmat)
- [In-House Fleet vs Virtual Fleet](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/in-house-fleet-vs-virtual-fleet)
- [Inbound Shipping Skills](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inbound-shipping-skills)
- [Inventory Management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inventory-management)
- [JIT](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/jit)
- [Jones Act](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/jones-act)
- [LCL](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/lcl)
- [Maintenance Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/maintenance-logistics)
- [Midwest](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/midwest)
- [Oversized](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/oversized)
- [Puerto Rico](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/puerto-rico)
- [Reverse Logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/reverse-logistics)
- [air freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/air-freight)
- [all risk shippers protection](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/all-risk-shippers-protection)
- [asset based](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/asset-based)
- [automated audits](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/automated-audits)
- [automated refunds](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/automated-refunds)
- [benjamin lorr](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/benjamin-lorr)
- [broker](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/broker)
- [bullwhip](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/bullwhip)
- [carmack](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/carmack)
- [central wisconsin manufacturing](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/central-wisconsin-manufacturing)
- [cheap logistics](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/cheap-logistics)
- [china](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/china)
- [choose local](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/choose-local)
- [cip](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/cip)
- [coronavirus](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/coronavirus)
- [covid19](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/covid19)
- [cpt](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/cpt)
- [ctb](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ctb)
- [cybersecurity](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/cybersecurity)
- [dan hendrickson](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/dan-hendrickson)
- [dap](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/dap)
- [dayton freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/dayton-freight)
- [ddu](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ddu)
- [diy shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/diy-shipping)
- [double brokering](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/double-brokering)
- [e-commerce](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/e-commerce)
- [ebol](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ebol)
- [exporting](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/exporting)
- [factoring](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/factoring)
- [freight damage](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-damage)
- [freight jobs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freight-jobs)
- [freightforwarding](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/freightforwarding)
- [from the forest](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/from-the-forest)
- [fuel surcharge](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/fuel-surcharge)
- [fulltruckload](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/fulltruckload)
- [glossary](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/glossary)
- [holiday shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/holiday-shipping)
- [how to switch ltl](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/how-to-switch-ltl)
- [importing](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/importing)
- [inboundfreight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/inboundfreight)
- [industry 4.0](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/industry-4-0)
- [insurance](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/insurance)
- [insurance claim](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/insurance-claim)
- [last mile](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/last-mile)
- [location](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/location)
- [logistics coordinator](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/logistics-coordinator)
- [low cost shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/low-cost-shipping)
- [maritimeshipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/maritimeshipping)
- [michael standley](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/michael-standley)
- [mycarrier](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/mycarrier)
- [newsletter](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/newsletter)
- [non-performance refunds](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/non-performance-refunds)
- [ocean shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ocean-shipping)
- [onboarding](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/onboarding)
- [our values](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/our-values)
- [outboundfreight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/outboundfreight)
- [outsource](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/outsource)
- [overview](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/overview)
- [pallet](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/pallet)
- [pandemic](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/pandemic)
- [parcel audit](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/parcel-audit)
- [parcel refunds](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/parcel-refunds)
- [parcel shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/parcel-shipping)
- [partnership](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/partnership)
- [permits](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/permits)
- [predications](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/predications)
- [purchasing management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/purchasing-management)
- [questions](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/questions)
- [reshoring](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/reshoring)
- [risk management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/risk-management)
- [rose george](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/rose-george)
- [routing guide](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/routing-guide)
- [save time](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/save-time)
- [sea freight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/sea-freight)
- [seafreight](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/seafreight)
- [shipment](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipment)
- [shipping 101](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-101)
- [shipping clerk](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-clerk)
- [shipping costs](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/shipping-costs)
- [skid](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/skid)
- [staff](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/staff)
- [standley](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/standley)
- [supply chain resilience](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/supply-chain-resilience)
- [team](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/team)
- [testimonial](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/testimonial)
- [trade show shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/trade-show-shipping)
- [transportation](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/transportation)
- [transportation management](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/transportation-management)
- [truck broker](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/truck-broker)
- [truckload specialist](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/truckload-specialist)
- [ups shipping](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/ups-shipping)
- [yellow](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/yellow)

#### Recent Articles

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[ When Should Manufacturers Rebid Freight Contracts? ](https://blog.customodal.com/when-should-manufacturers-rebid-freight-contracts)

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[** PREVIOUS ARTICLE ](https://blog.customodal.com/what-is-industry-4-0)

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[Customodaladmin](https://blog.customodal.com/author/customodaladmin) May 10, 2021

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![Seven Rules to Supply Chain Success](https://blog.customodal.com/hubfs/Imported_Blog_Media/tips-for-supply-chain-management-1-e1692987768818-1.jpg)

## Customodal Can Help Achieve Supply Chain Success

The United States is experiencing a manufacturing renaissance. Customodal can help your manufacturing company gain a competitive edge in supply chain logistics. Since 2008, U.S. manufacturing has rebounded significantly with help from rising overseas wages, improved domestic productivity, innovation, and the desire for shorter supply chains. Workers are in-demand, wages are rising, and vocational schools are attractive again.

While manufacturing once consisted primarily of large, vertically integrated-company with significant volumes, it has transformed into smaller companies with very different problems. Customodal has put together seven rules for supply chain success for small to medium size manufacturers:

**Rule #1 – Diversify Customer Base**

Complex supply chains tend to drive higher degrees of customization and sophistication between manufacturing partners.  
 The higher degree of interdependence brings the risk of over-reliance on one or two very large customers for small to medium manufacturers.  To avoid over-dependence on a few customers, manufacturers need to increase their customer base, capabilities and service offerings.

**Rule #2 – Be Lean**

Lean manufacturing must be part of every manufacturer’s DNA. Part of the culture – not just a program. In the past, lean was a great way to save money and improve quality. Today, lean and continuous improvements are the price of admission for any manufacturer. If you don’t have a lean expert, consider hiring an outside company that will help you develop the right culture and processes.

**Rule #3 – Automate Business Processes**

Technology enables process improvement, but requires continuous investment. The investment is worth it, however, and guaranteed work and/or partnerships with customers can help mitigate the risk.

**Rule #4 – Invest Smart**

To stay competitive, manufacturers must invest in new technology (IT, CAD, automation, robotics, new tooling). The increasingly shorter lifecycle for products and technology, means the investments can be risky. To mitigate the risk of big investments, find customers who will guarantee work and or help with investment costs. Build relationships with companies that view your company as a strategic partner.

**Rule #5 – Hire a Logistics Partner**

Small to medium manufacturers with less sophisticated logistics strategy and execution than their network partners risk competitive disadvantage. Logistics is too important to ignore, yet most manufacturers today cannot afford to develop a world class shipping function. The investment in technology, know how and processes is too high. Better to outsource the function to a 3rd party logistics provider (3PL) that already has the technology, people, global networks and expertise. By hiring the right 3PL, manufacturers will save money and also gain an expert team that becomes a value-added extension of their team.

**Rule #6 – Recruit, Train and Retain Top Talent**

Changing demographics means fewer and fewer qualified workers to fill more technically demanding jobs. Traditionally, the manufacturing sector employed large numbers of unskilled employees. The sector has become more automated and fewer unskilled workers are needed.Increasingly, manufacturing requires skilled labor with expertise in controls, automation, controls, engineering, design and analysis.

**Rule #7 – Develop a Supply Chain**

Small to medium manufacturers can improve their service offerings and competitiveness by partnering with universities, technology and engineering companies. A great way to expand your capabilities and focus on what you do best is by outsourcing. Logistics, packaging, engineering, manufacturing and other operational specialities can be outsourced, often with cost savings.

To learn more, [contact Customodal](https://customodal.com/contact-customodal/) today!

[Blog](https://blog.customodal.com/tag/blog)

## Related Articles

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## [Manufacturing Growth Continues in 2022](https://blog.customodal.com/manufacturing-growth-continues-in-2022)

 Manufacturing growth continues in 2022. Economic activity in the manufacturing sector continued to grow in May 2022, with the overall manufacturing...

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## [How to Strengthen Your Supply Chain](https://blog.customodal.com/how-to-strengthen-your-supply-chain)

 We’ve been hearing a lot about supply chains in the last couple of years. Now is the time to strengthen your supply chain! If your manufacturing...

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