CHAPEL HILL, N.C. – August 4, 2006 – Most manufacturing companies have already picked the low-hanging fruit in supply chain savings through economies of scale, consolidating source materials and other measures. But with increasing energy and commodity costs, supply chain organizations now have to think of different ways to drive down costs.

A new study by benchmarking leader Best Practices, LLC identifies how manufacturing companies are achieving productivity gains through system approaches and innovations that reduce raw material and packaging material costs.

The study “Driving Raw Material and Packaging Material Productivity Excellence” is available online with a complimentary excerpt at http://www.best-in-class.com/rr734.htm.

One key finding that emerged from the research is that leveraging supplier relationships, through collaboration with preferred suppliers and competitive supplier selection, is one of the most important new ways to achieve productivity gains. Many top manufacturers take a shared strategic approach bringing together suppliers and end users to examine areas where strategies blend and goals overlap to achieve greater cost savings for the entire supply chain.

This study focuses on the following areas central to driving raw material and packaging material productivity excellence:

· Leveraging supplier relationships;
· Balancing short-term and long-term productivity delivery demands;
· Maximizing internal relationships; and
· Utilizing technological innovations.

To purchase the full study and to download additional sample findings in the complimentary excerpt, visit us at http://www.best-in-class.com/rr734.htm.

Contact Jason Dean, research analyst at Best Practices, LLC, with any questions at (919) 767-9240 or jdean@best-in-class.com.

BEST PRACTICES, LLC is a research and advisory services firm that conducts work based on the principle that organizations can chart a course to superior economic performance by studying the best business practices, operating tactics and winning strategies of world-class companies. For more information, call (919) 403-0251 or visit www.best-in-class.com.