An overseas vendor knows what happens from the place of manufacture to various consolidation points and to the port, but may know little from there. And a company's corporate office may have a totally different perspective on what happens. |
Companies moving hazardous cargo or high-value merchandise have done the best job understanding and profiling their supply chains. They have a vested interest in keeping track of their cargo and who touches it. |
The manufacturing process, for example, doesn't always take place within four walls in a well-lit, well-insulated, guarded facility. Very often components are put together in various foreign locations. |