The following information is intended to give you a good idea of some of the changes taking place in global logistics planning and the facilities required. Read the articles below as a good start for completing the assignments within this module.
Read the following article concerning some of the things taking place on the borders of the US with regards to logistics:
Border activities get a boost since NAFTA Logistics Management (2002); Highland Ranch; Nov 2002; William Atkinson.
Abstract: There has always been trade between the US and its next-door neighbors, Canada and Mexico. Since the North American Free Trade Agreement (NAFTA) came along in 1992, though, trade volumes between the three NAFTA countries have soared. With increased trade comes increased demand for services such as freight transportation, warehousing, customs brokerage, freight forwarding, and assembly. Many of these services are located along the borders, saving time and cutting costs for all parties in the supply chain. This article looks at some of those border services and their benefits for shippers.
This article should be very useful for the case assignment:
The 21st century freight yard: BNSF's Logistics Park near Chicago
Trains; Milwaukee; Jan 2003; Michael W Blaszak
Abstract: Burlington Northern Santa Fe's new intermodal terminal, Logistics Park-Chicago, combines intermodal, vehicle and carload services with transloading and warehousing. The facility is 1.5 miles long and a mile wide, encompassing 380 acres.
Anonymous, 1999 The Importance of Aviation and Intermodal Transportation Issues in Site Selection, Medical Device & Diagnostic Industry Magazine, September, accessed February 29, 2008, at http://www.devicelink.com/mddi/archive/99/09/005.html
For this case please read the background articles and do some additional research to discuss in a 3-4 page paper the following:
How important is intermodal transportation with respect to global logistics? How do supply chains get more complicated when firms are doing business across borders versus domestically?