Strategic Global Connections (SGC) was established to provide a solution to a complex problem - unsaleable products in the food and over-the-counter drug supply chain.  Reclamation processing (the return of damaged and unsaleable products) is a controversial issue between retailers and manufacturers that results in high costs, reduced profits and consumer dissatisfaction.  There is tremendous opportunity in the marketplace for an independent benchmark that can be used to remove costs from the total supply chain, not merely shift costs from one trading partner to the other.

The grocery and drug supply chains have changed significantly since the implementation of the first Adjustable Rate Policy (ARP) in 1996. Consumer buying habits, channel competition and brand promotion have resulted in a substantial increase in SKU's.  This has also resulted in an increase in manufacturer sponsored item discontinuances and retailer sponsored item discontinuances.  This activity has caused trading partners to re-examine the original ARP protocols, which were designed to measure supply chain damage and out-of-date supply chain issues.

SGC has developed the first independent benchmark that measures product performance within the supply chain so that retailers and manufacturers can more accurately assign the expense of the unsaleable product and ultimately work as partners to fix the problems and eliminate the expense.

The first benchmark offered for sale/subscription is Policy Comparison Index (PCI).  In addition to measuring damaged and out-of-date product, this benchmark will also highlight discontinued products, offering trading partners the ability to better manage unsaleables, thereby reducing costs for both parties.