When Is It Time to Rethink Your Logistics Model?

Logistics often hums in the background — until it doesn’t. When your supply chain starts draining cash, losing visibility, or disrupting operations, it’s not just a logistics issue. It’s a business risk.

At Sengers LCA, we work with South African businesses to audit and overhaul their logistics operations when they’ve hit breaking points. Here are the clearest triggers that it’s time to rethink your logistics model — and what you can do about it.

Sudden Cost Spikes

Red flag: Delivery, warehousing, or transport costs increase significantly — without any major change in demand.

What it means:

• Poor route optimisation
• Inefficient load planning
• Supplier contract mismanagement
• Fuel cost volatility not being managed properly

What to do:
A logistics cost audit can reveal quick wins. We often find 15–30% savings hidden in transport duplication, underused vehicles, or poor cost-to-serve tracking.

High Staff Turnover in Your Logistics Team

Red flag: Frequent resignations or burnout in your logistics, dispatch, or warehouse teams.

What it means:

• Overreliance on individuals instead of systems
• Lack of automation or modern tools
• Poor processes causing operational chaos

What to do:
Outsourcing certain logistics functions or introducing process automation can stabilise operations and retain top talent.

Repeated Tech Failures or Outdated Systems

Red flag: WMS, ERP, or tracking systems keep failing, or you’re running logistics on spreadsheets and WhatsApp.

What it means:

• Lack of integration across logistics, inventory, and finance
• Manual errors and poor data visibility
• No scalability as your business grows

What to do:
Evaluate your tech stack and consider logistics platforms or a 3PL partner with advanced systems. We help clients modernise without overspending.

Stockouts and Overstocks Keep Happening

Red flag: You’re constantly firefighting late deliveries, missing items, or overstocking to "play it safe."

What it means:

• Poor demand forecasting
• Ineffective inventory management
• Uncoordinated supplier logistics

What to do:
Implement dynamic inventory management with better visibility across your supply chain. We help businesses integrate logistics with planning to reduce working capital tied up in stock.

Customer Complaints Around Delivery Experience

Red flag: Customers are increasingly complaining about late deliveries, wrong orders, or unprofessional drivers.

What it means:

• Poor delivery execution
• Lack of last-mile visibility
• Weak SLA tracking with logistics providers

What to do:
Set and enforce SLA benchmarks with internal or third-party logistics teams. You need a model where delivery KPIs are tracked and improved — not ignored.

You’ve Had a Compliance Scare or Logistics-Related Fine

Red flag: You’re unsure about transport permits, safety protocols, or customs documentation — and recently paid the price.

What it means:

• Compliance processes are reactive, not built-in
• Risk exposure across your logistics chain
• Inadequate staff training

What to do:
We build compliance-by-design into your logistics model, so permits, safety, and customs become predictable — not painful.

What a Modern Logistics Model Looks Like

Today’s best logistics operations are:

• Scalable: Can grow without adding chaos
• Visible: You know what’s happening across your supply chain
• Cost-smart: Waste is eliminated and margins are protected
• Reliable: Deliveries happen on time, without drama
• Compliant: Regulatory risks are proactively managed

At Sengers LCA, we help you shift from reactive to resilient logistics — through audits, consulting, and fully outsourced logistics management.

Is It Time for a Logistics Rethink?

If any of these red flags sound familiar, it’s not too late — but doing nothing costs more every month.

Schedule a complimentary logistics audit with Sengers LCA. We will evaluate your current position, identify any deficiencies, and provide swift solutions. Contact us to learn more.