One result of the continuing current competitive environment in Australia is cost pressure on the supply of manufacturing commodities such as anhydrous sodium sulphate. Commodity suppliers do not have much scope for providing value-added services. Anhydrous sodium sulphate, for example, is mostly brought to the customer’s attention when negative service characteristics occur – stocks run lo…
Measuring logistics performance has traditionally focused on operational areas. For example in a warehouse pallets per hour is the typical measure for receiving and despatch; cartons per hour for picking, replenishment, put away and overall throughput; and service levels are calculated by dividing cartons requested by cartons shipped. A more sophisticated operation will generate additional meas…
Over the last decade or so a number of significant research studies have focused on the characteristics of an excellent supply chain. These studies have shifted the emphasis from operational to strategic considerations. The practice of supply chain management has also broadened to include both operational and strategic concerns. A framework was developed to evaluate both the operational and str…
The practice of logistics management has changed from an operational concern with the elemental activities to a strategic interest in how effective logistics management can help reach corporate objectives. Recent Australian government policy has emphasized world competitiveness and Australia′s place in the Asian trade bloc. Management rubric advocates strategic alliances with customers, suppl…
Describes the analysis of the logistics system of a supplier of anhydrous sodium sulphate to the Australian market. This examination considered the total cost and customer service implications of the present supply of this bulk product from one Canadian and US west coast source, its unloading at three Australian ports and subsequent distribution to customers in major Australian markets. Exami…