Logistics and Supply Chain Guide
Logistics and Supply Chain Guide
Warehousing
A warehouse is a commercial building where goods are temporarily stored or re-
routed to other businesses. They also carry outinboundfunctions that prepare items for
storage, for example packing and labelling, and even some minor production work such
as assembling component parts. The outboundfunctions are the shipping of goods to
the final destination. You need to also bear in mind that warehousing not only embraces
selling to the end consumer, but also stores goods that are needed by producers, for
example raw materials and component parts. Here there is an inboundfunction because
the producer's warehouse is receiving goods and materials.
Warehousing is an important part of distribution particularly because it bridges the
time gap between when goods are available and when they are actually needed. For
example, seasonalgoodsare produced at one time and sold at another. Warehousing
in this sense provides temporary storage and enables production, marketing and sales
177
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
To get on with their important roles. For example, holding production materials in store
means they are readily available when required, enabling production and supply to
continue without hold-ups.
Similarly, perishable goods can be held in suitable storerooms (cool or freezer) in
anticipation of sales, thus extending their life cycle and protecting price stability. In
turn, this enables stocks to be drawn on at the time they are needed, therby protecting
supply by ensuring stocks are continuously available. Warehousing also helps to
maintain price stability and prevent the violent fluctuations that can occur if such
a stock is not accumulated. Fluctuations in price can occur when demand for goods
exceeds the supply available.
Insurance
There are many risks involved in the chain of distribution. For example, loss of power
supply to a warehouse with specialist storage rooms (such as, cool or freezer storage)
will result in considerable financial loss. There are also risks of stealing or damage to
goods in transit (between destinations). Insurance plays an important part in the chain
of distribution in providing compensation should such an event occur.
Like all businesses, those engaged in distribution will insure:
their employees
motor vehicles
against fire, and other perils such as storms and floods
against theft and vandalism, especially where stock is of high value
goods in transit, and many other risks.
Information flow
We have seen the different channels that goods can flow through to reach their
destination, and we have noted the need to insure against risks that can occur. During
this process there is also a flow of information between the sender (the consignor) and
receiver of the goods (the consignee), but also between the sender and those engaged
during the course of the journey where the people with responsibility for the onwards
movement or storage of the goods or materials might change. With today's instant
electronic information transfer systems, the flow of information is immediate. The main
elements of communication involved in a transaction between a seller and a buyer can
be summarised as follows:
... . **************************"*****************'*************************i****"*****.
*****"
******""******************"********'***"****
Remittance advice
.
Buyer to seller, regarding payment for collection of invoices
******""*************************************"*****i
***** *********
********
Delivery note Sent with the goods via the van driver when using the senderrs
Own transport vehicle, buyer signs to confirm delivery executed
***********************************************"*******
*******'******** ******.
Consignment note Similar to delivery note, sent via hired transporter * * * * "
***************************"********* ******************"*********'****************
.. *********
Later in this chapter you will learn more about documentation related to transportation.
17
13 Logistics and supply chain
installers. And sometimes the producer might use an agent to organise distribution. See
Figure 13.2 for the main distribution channels that are used.
179
LOGISTICS
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND
e * * *
Consumer
Consumer
Channel 2 Producer Retailer
Retailer Consumer
Wholesaler
Channel 3 Producer Agent
Channel 4Pro lucer Consumer
in distribution channels
A Figure 13.2 Variations
Businesses have a choice of the modes of transportation they can use to get products
from factories or warehouses to their destinations. They will want to use the method
most appropriate for their products and will at times be under pressure to move the
goods before any deterioration or depreciation in value occurs. However, at the same
time they will want to minimise transportation costs.
The following are the main factors that influence the form of transport used
a the nature of the goods-fragile or perishable goods need special consideration
how urgently delivery is required
the value of each item and insurance costs
athe cost of the transportation
handling and warehouse costs
t h e distance the consignment must be transported
the size and weight of the load
the convenient postion of terminals, for example docks and airport
athe possibility of combining loads to reduce costs
t h e reputation of the carrier.
Methods of transportation
Air transport
Air transport is the most expensive form of transport and it is constantly expanding in
the volume of passengers and freight it handles. It is by tar the most important method
TOr the movement of people into and out of a cOuntry, especialy tourists and business
persons. But air transport also makes a major contribution to the carrying of goods.
Road transport
Road transport is the most commonly used form of transport in most countries and
Is the most flexible (see Figure 13.5). Road transport includes carrying passengers and
reignt such as raw materials from producers to manufacturers, as well as between
the other elements of the distribution chain. The majority of road haulage tends
to be carried out by relatively large trucks, but smaller delivery vans also play
an
important part, for example e-commerce has seen a large increase in the use of courier
service vehicles.
Alarge proportion of the spending by governments of all countries is on provision of
and maintenance of the road networks.
Advantages
** www.w
of road transport
wm
Disadvantages of road transport
Door-to-door service provides I t is expensive to operate in large,
maximum flexibility congested cities
It is fast over short distances I t is subject to mechanical breakdowns
The risk of damage is reduced by less It is prone to accidents
need for transhipment
I t causes and is affected
It can reach places inaccessible to
by congestion
other forms of transport Loads are limited in size and weight
A good road network speeds up Some roads are
unsuitable for very
Road transport movement and reduces congestion large vehicles
is the mostt It is less tied to a rigid timetable than is slowerthan rail transport over
flexible method rail transport long distances
of transport I t is suitable for speedy delivery of I t is wasteful of resources when trucks
perishable goods return empty
Other forms of transport rely on road The tax on vehicles and fuel costs
transport to connect with terminals must be added to charges
Figure 13.5 Road transport can be flexible such as airporsStalions and docks I t causes considerable pollution
. ****************************"************************** *** * * *******************
Fleet ownership
Relatively small businesses may have little choice about the form of road transport
they use. They are not bIg enougn to own their own fleet of trucks and so they are
obliged to use the transpOrtracilities ot other companies. However, large concerns can
decide whether to operate their own tleets or use those of other providers. There is
no simple answer to this dlemma, and businesses will make a decision based on their
circumstances, taking into account the following:
13 Logistics and supply chain
Oil tanker
Grain camer Fishing boat
'.1
Ferry
Cargoiship
ercraf
13.6
Commercial shipping
A Figure
183
PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
UNIT 2
and unloading
a bulk carriers: for grain and ore
atankers: for oil or other bulk liquids
ferries: roll-on/roll-off ships that can carry vehicles
in bulk; in some parts of the world
hovercrafts have particularly successful in this role.
proved
used for daily fishing, deep- inshore while
Fishing boats are purpose-built vessels harvest from a
sea ships will go out for many days
into international waters seeking
wider area.
Disadvantages
Disadv of seatransport
*
Advantages of sea transport
*** t can carry cargo only as far as the ports
T h e way' is free and gives access to most parts of the world
t is reliant on other forms of transport to deliverits
Alarge ship can be propelled with a relatively small amount of power cargo to and from ports
enables ships to carry very heavy
The natural buoyancy of the water I t is a relatively slow method of moving freight
economies of scale
Loads, which gives Ship maintenance costs are high
It aidsinternationaltrade I t is particularly affected by climatic conditions
It is relatively safe as accidents are rare
*******
Pipeline
Transporting commodities
via PIpeline removes the need to use vehicles. Goods
include oil, gas and water, usually over long distances.
transported by this method
as well as overland.
Pipelines run under the oceans
Eneges of pipelines Disadyamages afgrg
moved
Products are conveyed Products that can be
Digital delivery
Digital delivery refers to the electronic delivery or distribution of data and media
Content such as audio, video and software games via a variety of devices such as the
web and mobile phone. It also applies to the practice of completing and submitting
forms online and making immediate payments to purchase items such as passports,
Activity
tarlier you were given the main factors that influence the mode of transport used. You have
now also become familiar with each of the modes of transport and the functions, costs and
advantages and disadvantages of each method. Now consider the suitability of each method
Tor specitic goods. Create a table with the modes of transport on the left, and to the right of
each form of transport list products that each is suitable to transport. Hint: you would not
permission to bring certain commodities into the country, for example where a
government restricts the amount of a particular product that can enter a countiy
(quota) or hazardous products.
Export licence -this sometimesis needed before certain goods can be exported, for
example works of art or of historical value.
a Bill o f lading - this is a title of ownership document. It is given to the consignor by
the shipping company (or its agent) as a receipt for the consignment loaded on the
ship for passage (see Figure 13.8)
A i r waybil! -this is issued by the carrier airline to the consignor as a contract of
carriage. The air waybill is not a document of title (see Figure 13.9)
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UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
Page 1 of 1
Date BLL OF SHORT FORM NOT NEGOTIABLE
LADING
-
Number:
SHIP FROM Bill of Lading
IName BAR CODE SPACE
Street Address]
City, ST ZIP Code]
SID No.:
Carrier Name:
SHIP TO Trailer number:
Name
Street Address] Serial number(s)
[City, ST ZIP Code]
CID No.:
N
N
Grand Total
CARRIER INFORMATION
LTL Only
Handling9 Package
unit Description NMFC Class
Qty Type Qty ype Weight| HM Commodity
Commodities requiring special or additional care or attention in handling or
stowing must be so marked and packaged as to ensure safe transportation with No.
ordinary care. See Section 2(e) or NMFCitem 360
Note: Liability limitation for loss or damage in this shipment may be applicable. See 49 UsC 14706(()MA) and (B).
and
that have
Received, subject to individually determined rates
or contracts
been agreed upon in writing between the carrier and shipper, if applicabie, The carrier shail not make delivery of this shipment without payment of charges ai
other lawful fees.
and rules that have been estabisned
otherwise to the rates, classifications, on request, and
to an
Shipper Signature
by the carrier and are available to the shipper,
applicable state and federal regulations. Carrier Signature/Pickup Date
Trailer Freight Counted:
Shipper Signature/Date Loaded:
By shipper Carrier acknowledges receipt of packages
and
require
This is to certify that the above named
materials are O By shipper By driver/pallets said to placards. Carrier certifies emergency response intormduo
and labelled, contain was made available and/or carrier has the DOT emergery
properly classitied, packaged, marked, O By driver
and are in proper condition for transportation a By driver/pieces guidebook or equivalent
responseProperty
documentation
inu
DOT. venicle. described above is received in gooa o
according to the applicable regulations of the
except as noted.
TFC20246899
Shipper's Name and Address Not Negotiable
ABC EXPORTER SND BND HOUSE AIR WAYBILL
KWANG 264, PADUNGAN ROAD,
issued By
COMPANY LTD
MY FREIGHT FORWARDING
myfreight
KUCHING
NALAYSIA
By First Carrier CUR CHGS WTNAL Other Declared Value for Carriage Declared value for Customs
Routing and Destination too by y
CodepPD COL
N V D NCV
FRA
Alrport of Destination REquess FIgnt/ lerms INSURANCE - If carrier offers insurance and such insurance is requested
Amount of Insurence
in accordance with the conditions hereof, indicate amount to be
PRANKFURT INTERNATIONAL NIL
insure in box marked Amount of Insurance
Handling information
AS AGREED
13 147
AS AGREED
Total otherChargesDueAgent
Valuation CnarQes Shippercertifies that the particarsone ae hereof arecoretand that insofar as any part of the consignment contains dangerous
is properly described by narne and is in proper condition for carriage by air according to
applicable Dangerous oo
Regulation
(FOR CARRIER)
A Figure 13.9 Air waybill
10/7
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
n this chapter that the type of transport used will be influenced by factors such as
tne nature ofthe goods being transported, their value, the urgency of need and the
destination. We have also recognised that international trade invariably involves more
than one form of transport.
(Employment opportunities
The supply chain encompasses almost unlimited opportunities for employment. Just
to
think of the links in the supply chain and you will understand why it is impossible
investigate them all-but here is a sample of the possibilities: production, transport,
packaging. purchasing, warehousing, marketing, advertising, wholesaling, retailing
and
and much, much also opportunities for self-employment
more. There are
E-tailing retailing (e-tailing) is the selling of retail goods on the internet. E-tailing
Electronic
the a personal feel of
requires strong branding and service displays, giving shopper
shopping without being present in a store.
Consumers who are pressed
E-tailing benefits both consumers and marketers.
for time save time and energy because they can browse online, compare
with
other traders, select and pay online and receive a speedy delivery. Marketers do not
A successful
benefit to the same as consumers, but they do gain.
degree
necessarily
electronic campaign not only increases revenue but also raises brand awareness and
systems that e-tailing demanids. There is also a need for increased packaging and
despatch workers.
E-tailing has led to an increase in the need for many smaller courier services,
This has occurred
including opportunities for self-employment and entrepreneurship.
due to the increase in online shopping, package tracking and"'next day' or committed
dated delivery.
E-tailing is an element of the wider electronic-commerce (e-commerce). In addition
to e-tailing, e-commerce encompasses many other onlinë facilities such as electronic
funds transfer and online transaction processing. Both e-commerce and e-tailing have
grown enormously.
Similar to the way that the internet has developed into the most popular mediumfor
marketing, advertising and purchasing of goods and services, e-commerce has grown
to
Counterfeiting
Counterfeiting has been going on for thousands of years and it is not restricted to
currency. Product counterfeiting has also been around for a very long time. Product
counterfeiting means imitating something illegally and it is increasing in scope, scale
and threat.
The global trade in counterfeit products has increased considerably and this is of
course a concern for genuine producers and the supply chain, but it is also becoming
dangerous. Counterfeiting has expanded from clothing and fashion accessories
into items such as medicines and pesticides that can have serious health and
safety implications.
Changing market conditions
Market conditionsare always changing, and businesses have to respond and manage
these changes - and they are happening faster than ever before. Managing these
changes is of course easier for large, global-scale businesses but more difficult for
smaller concerns. But they affect the supply chain also, and all businesses, irrespective of
their size, have to embrace the changes in their operations. And, as we observed earlier,
blunders by management can have severe consequences.
One of the distinct ways that market conditions have changed is that consumers,
even children and young adults, are more significant forces in the market. And they are
better educated overall and more concerned to tap into the expansion in the choice of
goods available to consumers.
Tbiokabouti
Canyou Think of any
Providing a cost advantage through partnering effectively with suppliers and
business customers to make activities and processes more efficient, thus resulting in
the put products on the market on time, in the best condition and at a
A
ompantes that are knokn ability to
Tor havinga good delivery competitive price.
service Haw doesthis qive
them anadvantage over Logistics can give a competitive advantage
er campetitors The
success of a business depends considerably on its ability to match or surpass the
services or products of its competitors. Competitive advantage refers to conditions
or circumstances that put a business in a more favourable, or superior, position, in
comparison with its competitors, It can gain this advantage through differentiation and
cost advantage.
First-party logistics (1PL)-these are logistics provjder firms that own their own
logistic activities and sometimes outsource some of their activities.
Second-party logistics (2PL) - these firms provide their own assets such as trucks
and drivers, warehouse
operators and so on td1PLs
Third-party logistics (3PL)-these firms perform logistics on behalf of another
company (1PL), providing the management skills along with the physical assets,
labour and technolo8y to provide logistics to part or all of the supply chain,
thereby relieving companies of performing these services themselves, for example
transportation, warehousing management consulting, freight forwarding, pool
distribution (delivery to numerous destinations) and more.
13 Logistics and supply chain
Fourth-party (4PL) - these are supply chain integrators. The 4PL assembles and
manages resources, capabilities and technology of an organisation's supply chain and
Its
and
many providers, that is it co-ordinates the activities of 3PLs: designing, building
running supply chain solutions for clients.
Other examples of outsourcing include payroll and accounting, operation of call centres,
Consultancy, using temporary employees from agencies, IT technicians and much more.
Benefits of outsourcing
I t can free up cash
flow, personnel and time resources for the company.
I t can result in cost
savings due to lower labour costs.
i t enables the
company to
focus on its 'core' business competencies.
It tends to be directed to organisations who are specialists in the required services.
Distribution problems
Problems encountered in distribution
Seaports and airports are vital for the health and wellbeing of a country's international
trade, and it is through these that a country participates in the global market. In
some countries there are many ports and
airports, but in others there may be only
one, and that one may have been
positioned a long time ago and cannot be changed.
The supporting infrastructure of effective transport links of road and rail to the ports
and airports is needed in order to make their contribution to the
economy effective.
While an exporter may be familiar with what exists in their own country in relation to
infrastructure, what exists in another country may be very different.
Even with the
appropriate infrastructure in the home country there can occur
factors that present problems for effective distribution, and
many of these affect home
distribution as well as exporting and importing. For example, shipment can experience a
number of difficulties including:
Delayed shipment- both ships and aircraft are affected by weather, so this could
be the cause, but inefficiency can also be the reason. Sometimes delay is caused by a
consignment being delayed during the transit from one form of transport to another.
Spoilage - in today's market conditions, customers want delivery as soon as possible,
and certainly to schedule. Plus, with an increased demand for fresh foodstuffs there
is a need for appropriate store and handling facilities. But even other kinds of'fragile
products need particular care.
Misdirection of goods-this is when goods are mistakenly sent to the wrong
destination (or the wrong goods are sent). For example, negligent packing or
inaccurate labelling or paperwork can cause a consignment to end up at the
wrong destination.
Inadequate warehousingfacilities - for example, for perishable or fragile goods.
Cooled storage areas are necessary for some products and loss of electricity can
cause big difficulties. And storage space is always limited.
Lack of adequate security measures -this can lead to stealing or insertion of llegal
substances into shipments, or even terrorist activities.
Industrial unrest-for example, strikes by airport or port workers will cause
delavs in delivery, and inland labour disputes can also interfere with smooth and
prompt delivery.
ctive communication-delays or misinterpretation of instructions
related to
a consignment can result in
wrong g0ods being
sent, or sent to the wrong place. For
193
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
example, an order for goods may show an invoice address and a delivery address that
differ. It is an easy, butinefficient, mistake to send goods to the invoice address.
a Perishable goods require fast, direct distribution; size and weight has an influence,
as heavy, bulky products (for example, grain) is best transported by short and direct
distribution; high-unit value goods (for example, jewellery) require an especially
secure distribution channel
aUsing intermediaries such as agents, wholesalers and retailers may be used, while
at other times the best channel will be direct. Using an intermediary does not always
slow up the process -they can speed up the process and distribute goods quickly.
13 Logistics and supply chain
195
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND LOGISTICS
cameras
security
Employing a security company and using
technology that
records the activity of people
surveillance
cameras are video the cameras not only
Security points,
crime. Installed at strategic
to detect, deter and prevent can make thieves reconsider
of the c a m e r a s
monitor scenarios but the m e r e presence
their actions. Their overall presence
can be said to
prevent theft
protect facilities (areas and buildings)
prevent loss
deter vandalism
assure employee safety.
businesses that provide armed and unarmed security services
Security companies are value if look back at the
to understand their
we
to guard and patrol premises. It helps is the outcome of
and ask the question, What
above description of security c a m e r a s action.
evidence for subsequent
video surveillance? The answer is that it gathers
is immediate. Their guards are not
The surveillance that security companies provides
immediate action as
cameras are. They roam
the site and can take
fixed,as security
it happens.
Portnet
Portnet aims to help ports and the shipping community to increase productivity and
save costs through the greater use of information technology and the internet. It
empowers the shipping community to manage the complexity of cargo operations and
the entire shipping process by:
13 Logistics and supply chain
197
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND
LOGISTICS
Choallenge
Ihe table in 13.10 shows the volume of
inland passenger transport for the
Figure research every ten years.
imaginary country of Noland. Noland carries out transport
Answer the questions related to the data.
2011 2020
%
o
1537 84.54 1444 86.21
Road
Rail 176 9.68 79 4.72
44 2.42 57 3.40
Water: sea-going 0.61 7 0.42
Water: internal 11
2.75 88 3.23
Pipelines 50
1818L 100 .1675 100
Total
A Figure 13.10 goods transport of Noland
Domestic
NIHIU
Make a note of it
in your notebooks.
Copy and complete the following items
heard it before?
'logistics' to s o m e o n e who has
never
1 How would you explain the term
between supply chain and
2 Chad and Mary have a school assignment to distinguish
that they are the same
distribution channel. After reading the material, Mary says
whom do you agree?
thing. Chad says they are different things. With and 'reverse flow'.
forwards flow'
3 Explain the difference between the terms
4 Why is warehousing an important part of logistics?
functions.
5 Compare warehousing inbound and outbound
6 What role does insurance play in logistics?
7 Describe the information flow that takes place to aid flow of goods.
8 List the activities involved in supply chain operations.
9 Choose from the following words to fill in the blanks on the diagram below to show
materials reach the Words may be used more
just one way that raw can consumer.
than once.
Transport Retailer Manufacturer Wholesaler Consumer
Storage
Raw
materials
199
UNIT 2 PROMOTION AND
LOGISTICS
10
Define the term 'distribution chain.
distribution channel below.
nsert the missing words to complete the
Producer Consumer
Retailer
Consumer
Agent
Producer
in the supply chain.
12 Summarise the roles of the four main participants to their
by a Caribbean trader
customer.
13 The following are items being dispatched most likely used.
Use the diagram below to indicate
the form of transportation
Customer
Air
Sea
Rail
Road
Caribbean trader
PL
Contract Providers
PL
PL
Retailers or Manufacturers
PL
27 How can logistics help a business gain a competitive advantage?
28 Why is product differentiation important?
29 Define the term 'comparative cost advantage
30 What is outsourcing?
31 Explain the function of 1PLs, 2PLs, 3PLs, and 4PLs.
32 Summarise the benefits of outsourcing.
33 ldentify the problems likely to be encountered in distribution.
34 Outline the measures that help to mitigate the problems encOuntered in
distribution.
35 ldentify ways that information technology aids supply chain operations.
than the
10 Obtaining services from outside suppliers is called.
201