There are about 200,000 middle market companies with annual sales of $10 million to $1 billion in the U.S. With this outsized presence in the marketplace, and their ability to quickly adapt to economic challenges, middle market firms are the “perfect link” in the supply chains for companies, both large and small.
But size alone doesn’t guarantee success. That’s why new research from the National Center for the Middle Market (NCMM) at The Ohio State University’s Fisher College of Business has determined the traits and behaviors that describe “perfect link” supply chain characteristics. By emulating the best practices of the most successful middle market supply chain firms, manufacturers can find ways to effectively manage their supply relationships and ultimately fuel their growth.
The NCMM, in collaboration with the Council of Supply Chain Management Professionals (CSCMP), surveyed 400 middle market executives throughout the U.S., who primarily manage the supply function and work directly with other manufacturers or those who perform additional manufacturing processes. Some results were expected; others were not:
Understanding internal performance against the best-in-class companies is a start. But there are practical steps smart middle market manufacturers can take to improve their standing as a “perfect link:”
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