Bulmers' plans for the very worst crises with its risk management strategy

Drinks producer Bulmers Cider has introduced a risk management strategy to help cope with potential disruptions to its supply chain - however serious the crisis.

It has recently undertaken a series of hypothetical exercises to test the robustness of the plans it has put in place. Continuous testing is essential to ensure that its business recovery procedures will work if called upon, said the company.

Aidan Murphy, director of supply chain at C&C Group, which includes Bulmers Cider, will describe the measures that Bulmers has introduced as part of this strategy at a supply chain conference in Manchester. The event is being organised by The Manufacturing Institute on January 16 and 17.

At the same conference, Peter Scott, manufacturing change leader at the United Biscuits' Carlisle plant, will describe a project to reduce costs in the supply chain. This stemmed from a reorganisation of the plant which employs more than 1,000 workers.

"Improving supply chain efficiency can have a huge impact on profitability," said Julie Madigan, chief executive of The Manufacturing Institute. "It is estimated that supply chain costs in some industries can account for around three quarters of sales revenue, so the prize for getting it right is enormous.

"This conference will provide practical insights into how the world's best performers are re-engineering their supply chains to differentiate themselves from the competition."