Modernizing Supply Chain Practices at Bengal Group of Industries

Abstract

As an executive of the Supply Chain Management (SCM) department for Bengal Polymer Wares Ltd. (BPWL), which is the most important unit of Bengal Group of Industries (BGI), I ensure smooth procurement of crucial raw materials like PP, recycled PP, HDPE, PET, color masterbatch, resin, and packaging materials, including cartons, poly, stickers, barcodes, and spares for generators and compressors. This report explores challenges that BGI faces with respect to procurement and presents strategies for updating the way the company conducts SCM to improve efficiency. At present, BGI operates in the plastics, textiles, and energy sectors, with a supply chain that facilitates procurement, inventory, and production cycles. For example, there are inefficiencies in areas like supplier evaluation, centralized data management, and manual processes in bill and inventory management. While the company made use of the Far Vision ERP system, processes like decision-making as well as data management were still deliberated and taken manually, resulting in delays and inaccuracies. The report notes that for the BGI supply chain to become enhanced, global trends such as digital transformation, sustainability, and resiliency should be adopted. Advanced technologies like AI, predictive analytics, and IoT will make procurement operations intensive and streamlined with real-time information so that better decisions can be taken. It improves one’s supply chain visibility and efficiency through enhanced supplier relationships and collaboration based on data-driven evaluation and automated inventory control. Proposed strategies are to upgrade the ERP system, develop KPIs of supplier performance and modernize inventory management with real-time monitoring. In addition to a phased implementation plan starting with short-term ERP platform upgrades on current ERP platforms, moving to fully automating and integrating with AI in the next 3–5 years. Modernizing BGI's supply chain will allow for better capacity utilization, lower operations costs, higher supplier collaboration, and sustainability. Besides designing the best procurement processes, these improvements will help BGI attain global standards and remain competitive in the market.