Themes: Inventory and Distribution Practices
Read:
Chapter 5 (Agile Supply Management) of the Bookboon.com ebook, and go to pages 70-82 of the ebook
http://www.zums.ac.ir/files/research/site/ebooks/management-organisation/fundamentals-of-supply-chain-management.pdf
Is Apple's Supply Chain Really No. 1
http://www.supplychain247.com/article/is_apples_supply_chain_really_the_no._1_a_case_study
The Unintended Consequences of Outsourcing
http://www.forbes.com/forbes/welcome/?toURL=http://www.forbes.com/sites/panosmourdoukoutas/2011/12/09/the-unintended-consequences-of-outsourcing/&refURL=&referrer=#6a9c36a920f8
Understanding the Supply Chain Operations Reference Model
http://www.almc.army.mil/alog/issues/mayjun08/ref_model_supplychain.html
View:
Integrated Planning for Improved Supply Chain Operations
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xN8YiHLfTrs
McLane Warehouse 3g in operation at McLane Global Distribution
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b9vXea1PRNs
Complete:
Submit final project presentation in discussion area: Topic of choice
Learning Activities
Beyond products alone, a Supply Chain must compete in terms of better inventory and distribution trade-off practices than its rivals. Done well, these LAs will help you with this Assignment project.
Learning Activity 4-1: K-Mart has been notorious for low or lack of inventory in its stores. From the readings and Instructor Insights; suggest to K-Mart's VP Supply Chain 3 ways she can improve their levels of inventory.
Learning Activity 4-2: Channel decisions are, in fact, trade-offs since most consumers will not drive up to your factory. They want it where they want it!
Many Supply Chain functions are behind the scenes in trucks and warehouses; FEDEX even has inventory in transit up in the air. Since FEDEX is multi-modal, they located their primary east-west air cargo transfer center in Memphis, TN.
Provide 2-3 distribution-related reasons behind why it made sense to locate there. It's OK to use the Internet and Instructor Insights on Distribution practices for this one.