Degree

Master of Business Administration

Faculty / School

School of Business Studies (SBS)

Advisor

Mr. Faisal Jalal, Adjunct Faculty, Department of Marketing

Project Coordinator (Internal)

Sohail Majeed

Project Coordinator (External)

Tapal, Supply Chain Head

Client

Tapal

Committee Member 1

Dr. Rameez Khalid, Associate Professor, Department of Management.

Project Type

MBA Research Project

Keywords

Supply Chain Resilience, Supply Chain Visibility, In-Transit Theft, Risk Mitigation, SCRAM Framework, Tapal Tea, Transport Security

Abstract / Summary

This report investigates a critical challenge in Tapal Tea’s supply chain: the theft of raw tea shipments during road transit from the company’s Karachi facility to its Lahore plant. This recurring issue not only causes financial losses—estimated at over PKR 105 million annually—but also disrupts production schedules, increases insurance premiums, and threatens Tapal’s competitive position in the northern Pakistani tea market. To address this, the study applies an adapted Supply Chain Resilience Assessment and Management (SCRAM) framework. Using both qualitative interviews with Tapal’s supply chain leadership and a quantitative benchmarking questionnaire, the project evaluated Tapal’s resilience across seven key capabilities: visibility, dispersion, flexibility, recovery, adaptability, financial strength, and security. The findings revealed that Tapal demonstrates strong financial and adaptive capabilities, but significant gaps exist in visibility and security—areas critical to preventing theft and ensuring supply chain continuity. Tapal's current resilience posture places it in the “Zone of Balanced Resilience,” suggesting its capabilities are proportionate to its known vulnerabilities. However, comparative analysis with industry benchmarks revealed underperformance in key areas, especially in security (19% below benchmark) and visibility (11% below benchmark). To mitigate these vulnerabilities, the report proposes a targeted action plan centered around a low-cost, high-impact technology solution. Recommendations include covertly embedding Apple Air Tags in raw tea sacks, deploying magnetic door sensors, hidden Wi-Fi cameras for real-time monitoring, and using QR code labeling for inventory verification. These technologies would enhance Tapal’s ability to trace stolen goods, catch perpetrators, and deter future thefts. The total estimated cost for implementing these measures is PKR 21.4 million annually — 80% less than the annual financial loss from theft. This study not only provides a strategic roadmap for enhancing Tapal’s supply chain resilience but also demonstrates the applicability of SCRAM in tackling targeted vulnerabilities in FMCG logistics. While the study’s focus on a specific threat and limited sample size is acknowledged limitations, the proposed interventions offer practical steps to transform Tapal’s security and visibility posture while ensuring operational reliability. To facilitate successful implementation, a roadmap was recommended based on TAPA TSR standards with cross-functional teams (Logistics, IT, Fleet Security, HR, Strategy) claiming ownership. The report also overlays academic prisms like Contingency Theory, HRO Theory, Agency Theory, Systems Thinking, and Lee’s Visibility Framework to provide a multi-theory foundation. By framing Tapal’s interventions against global security standards like TAPA and ISO28000 the plan aligns business realities with academic rigor.

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Available for download on Friday, December 01, 2028

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