In today’s supply chain environment, disruption has become a constant. As a result, many organizations have turned to supplier diversification as a way to manage risk, but diversification alone does not guarantee resilience. More than 40% of companies still lack basic Tier-1 supplier visibility, limiting decision-making, increasing risk, and undermining long-term value creation.
In a recent Let’s Talk Supply Chain LinkedIn Live, Mary Casillo, our VP of Business Development, shared how teams can move beyond transactional procurement and build stronger, more collaborative supplier relationships that deliver measurable operational and financial outcomes.
From Price to Performance
Traditional procurement often focuses on unit cost rather than overall operational performance, leading to bottlenecks, quality issues, and inconsistent supply. Short-term savings frequently lead to hidden costs such as damage, downtime, and lost revenue.
Evaluating Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) provides a clearer picture of overall value, factoring in quality, freight, recovery, and production impact. Organizations that prioritize performance over price achieve fewer disruptions and more substantial long-term savings.
Collaboration as a Strategy, Not a Buzzword
Resilient supply chains rely on transparency and shared goals. When suppliers are engaged early and given visibility into site conditions, constraints, and objectives, continuity improves, and challenges are resolved faster. This level of collaboration also strengthens long-term stability, as suppliers naturally prioritize customers who involve them in the process.
Engaged partnerships also foster innovation. With access to more than 3,500 manufacturers across the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, we connect each client site with the right suppliers in the right regions to meet specific specifications and volume needs.
Two proven ways we strengthen performance include:
- Repair & Return Programs: Extend pallet life, cut waste, and reduce net cost through controlled recovery.
- IntelliPallet IoT Tracking: Embedded GPS/telemetry reveals loss, failure points, and redesign opportunities.
Data That Drives Smarter Decisions
Accurate, connected data enables better risk management and more informed decisions across every site. We provide clear visibility into spend, volume, quality, CO₂ impact, recovery performance, and pallet movement through IntelliPallet tracking, creating a single source of truth shared by both buyers and suppliers.
Sustainability and Shared Value
Wood pallets remain the most sustainable mainstream packaging option as they are recyclable, repairable, and ideal for circular programs. Effective recovery strategies extend asset life, reduce waste, and support carbon reduction goals. Even at the end of life, wood materials can be repurposed into mulch, animal bedding, and other productive uses.
Collaboration Creates Competitive Advantage
The organizations that succeed are those that combine collaboration, data, and innovation, not simply lower unit prices. Pallet Alliance helps leading manufacturers and distributors convert supplier relationships into strategic advantages that deliver:
- Fewer disruptions and higher throughput
- Lower lifecycle costs and loss
- Measurable sustainability progress
- Network resilience across regions
What is your procurement strategy really costing you? Let’s talk. Contact us today!
