Industry · FMCG
FMCG logistics: what a control tower should watch.
FMCG moves many SKUs through plants, RDCs, C&F agents and distributors, with festive peaks, short shelf lives and retailers that measure OTIF strictly.
What makes fmcg logistics different
- Many SKUs and frequent, smaller orders, so part loads and consolidation matter.
- A layered network: plant, RDC, C&F agent, distributor and retailer.
- Shelf life on many products, so near-expiry stock turns into write-offs.
- Festive and seasonal peaks that strain trucks and RDC capacity.
- Modern trade customers who measure OTIF and fill rate and penalise misses.
What the control tower watches for fmcg
| Signal | Why it matters | Who acts |
|---|---|---|
| Late trucks with RDC cover | Prevents stock-outs at the shelf | Logistics, RDC |
| Batch shelf life vs demand | Prevents write-offs | Planning |
| Placement SLA | Peak-season capacity | Logistics, carrier |
| Secondary delivery to distributor | End of the chain is visible | Sales ops |
| OTIF by customer | Penalties and relationships | Customer service |
KPIs to agree on first
- OTIF with one definition
- Fill rate
- Near-expiry stock value
- Placement SLA
- Damage rate
Write each KPI down once, with its target, and compute it the same way for the plant, the 3PL and the carrier. See the logistics KPI dictionary.
How SCM for Manufacturers applies
SCM for Manufacturers runs the same record from indent to settlement for every industry: indent and placement SLA, eight gate stamps per truck, load plans by weight, height and crush rules, ETA and live temperature in transit, RDC intimation, batch-level stock with FEFO, secondary delivery, damage claims with photo proof and carrier scorecards. Read OTIF vs fill rate and FEFO vs FIFO; distributors can run on Distributor Management.
Questions
What should an FMCG control tower show first?
Late trucks ranked by the stock cover at the receiving RDC, so logistics acts before the shelf empties.
How do FMCG companies reduce near-expiry write-offs?
By applying FEFO across the network: ranking batches by shelf life against local demand and transferring them before they expire.
See it on your own data. SCM for Manufacturers puts the plant gate, carriers, RDC stock, cold chain and OTIF on one control tower. Book a 30-minute working session with an engineer.