Global industrialization was developed in response to both consumers and manufacturers demand for lower product prices and availability of goods and services. As a result, products are transported greater distances. Shipping constitutes the majority of costs in the export/import supply chain. Shippers and buyers commonly attempt to offset these costs by maximizing the capacity of ocean freight containers (cube or weight). Boxes (usually constructed of corrugated fiberboard) containing consumer grade products are commonly floor loaded into containers to maximize capacity. Boxes that are not floor loaded are likely to be unitized on pallets in containers. Beyond maximizing a container with cargo, a defined decision to determine which method of loading is most efficient in regard to cost and time does not exist. For this research, field studies were conducted and questionnaires were distributed to identify the variables that influence efficiency. A method to make an efficient decision was developed by incorporating the variables into a model. The model compares the overall export/import supply chain efficiency for boxes that are floor loaded to boxes that are unitized on pallets in containers. The recommended decision is determined by comparing the shipping and handling costs and the receiving dock door capability for the two loading methods. The results of this research reveal that floor loading boxes can provide a higher value per container due to increased capacity. Increased capacity by floor loading often reduces the number of containers needed to meet daily demand. However, since manual labor is utilized for the loading/unloading process, more time is required, which results in higher labor costs and restricted product throughput. Unitized boxes loaded in containers on pallets can limit container capacity, but allows for faster loading/unloading times (if no incompatibilities between product and pallet or pallet and/or material handling equipment exist), reduced labor costs, and the potential for increased product throughput. Importing boxes unitized on pallets commonly requires more containers to meet demand, but fewer receiving dock doors. Utilizing fewer dock doors allows otherwise occupied doors to be available to receive additional product. The decision to floor load or unitize exports/imports needs to be made on a SKU basis meeting daily demand, not only per container capacity. Labor cost, pallet cost, the magnitude of box variation between loading methods, and the ability of the receiver to process containers are all influencing factors in determining which loading method is most overall efficient. Given the current cost for containerized shipments and considering all costs, most consumer goods are more efficiently shipped floor loaded. When additional containers would be needed to meet demand for product unitized on pallets, floor loading will be more efficient. When there is only a small difference in box count between floor loading and palletizing, palletizing product will be more efficient. This will often occur when loads will meet container weight capacity before it reaches volume capacity. If the product is too heavy to move manually it will be palletized. / Ph. D.

PostNord TPL ser en utmaning med ineffektiva fyllnadsgrader i sina transporter till deras slutkund, från PostNord TPL:s nya distributionslager Malmölandet i Norrköping. På grund av detta vill PostNord TPL förbättra sina utleveransprocesser för att höja fyllnadsgraden, vilket de vill möjliggöra genom att identifiera olika åtgärder. Vidare, vill företaget även identifiera vilken effekt dessa åtgärder kan medföra på verksamhetens kostnader och klimatpåverkan. Syftet med studien är därför att kartlägga PostNord TPL:s utleveransprocesser för att identifiera förbättringsområden och åtgärder med mål att öka fyllnadsgraden i transporter till slutkundens butiker, samt kartlägga vilka potentiella effekter en ökad fyllnadsgrad har med avseende på kostnader samt klimatpåverkan. I studien kartlades PostNord TPL:s utleveransprocess för att identifiera problem och förbättringsområden. Detta genomfördes genom att analysera intervjusvar från operativ personal hos PostNord TPL, tillsammans med egna observationer av utleveransprocessen. I studien granskades produktflöden mellan Malmölandet och fyra utvalda butiker. De fyra butikerna valdes eftersom dessa flöden ansågs representativa mot resterande flöden sett till transportsträckor och transporterade volymer. Studiens resultat visade att de viktigaste identifierade förbättringsområdena var slutkundens orderläggnings-struktur, bristande systemstöd i PostNord TPL:s arbetsprocesser, transportfrekvens, samt tidsbrist för PostNord TPL:s personal. Sju åtgärdsförslag presenterades till dessa förbättringsområden, där två av åtgärdsförslagen kopplas till orderläggning, ett åtgärdsförslag kan kopplas till transportfrekvens, ett till tidsbrist och tre kan kopplas till bristande systemstöd. Studiens resultat visade även att högre fyllnadsgrader främst påverkar butiker med höga transporterade volymer. Beräkningarna visade att transportbehovet minskar vid högre fyllnadsgrader och på så vis minskar även transportkostnader och CO2e-utsläpp som följd. Vidare, visar resultaten att det finns stora ekonomiska och miljömässiga fördelar med att sänka transportfrekvensen i det fall att slutkunden kan acceptera ändrade leveranskrav. De butiker med lägst transporterad volym påverkas mest av att sänka transportfrekvensen. Önskar slutkunden en högre fyllnadsgrad och mer hållbara transporter behöver de därför göra en avvägning av vad som är viktigast mellan en hög bibehållen leveransservice eller minskad leveransservice med ökade fyllnadsgrader och dess positiva effekter. Resultaten från beräkningarna visade också att om efterfrågan på gods är låg och/eller att fyllnadsgraden höjs men inte är tillräckligt stor för att minska transportbehovet, blir klimatpåverkan och transportkostnaderna oförändrade. Slutligen visade även studiens resultat att det är skillnad om beräkningarna utförs på veckovis eller månadsvis flödesdata. De månadsvisa beräkningarna ger upphov till ett större antal eliminerade transporter, vilket beror på att flödesvolymerna är större. / PostNord TPL sees a challenge with inefficient fill rates in their transports to their end customer, from PostNord TPL's new distribution center Malmölandet in Norrköping. Because of this, PostNord TPL wants to improve their delivery processes to increase the fill rate, which they want to enable by identifying different measures. Furthermore, the company also wants to identify what effect these measures can have on the costs and climate impact of the business. The purpose of the study is therefore to map PostNord TPL's delivery processes to identify areas for improvement and measures aimed at increasing the fill rate in transports to the end customers' stores, as well as to identify the potential effects of an increased fill rate with regard to costs and climate impact. The study mapped PostNord TPL's delivery process to identify problems and areas for improvement. This was done by analysing interview responses from operational staff at PostNord TPL, together with the authors' own observations of the delivery process. The study examined product flows between Malmölandet and four selected customer stores. The four stores were chosen because these flows were considered representative of the rest of the flows in terms of transport distances and transported volumes.  The results of the study showed that the most important identified areas for improvement were the end customers' order placement structure, lack of system support in PostNord TPL's work processes, transport frequency, and lack of time for PostNord TPL's staff. Seven proposals for action were presented for these areas of improvement, where two of the proposals for action are linked to order placement, one proposal for action can be linked to transport frequency, one to lack of time and three proposals can be linked to lack of system support. The results of the study also showed that higher fill rates mainly affect stores with high transported volumes. The calculations showed that the need for transport is reduced at higher fill rates and thus also reduces transportation costs and CO2e emissions as a result. Furthermore, the results show that there are significant economic and environmental benefits of reducing the transport frequency in case the end customer can accept changed delivery requirements. The stores with the lowest transported volume are most affected by lowering the transport frequency. Therefore, if the end customer wants a higher load factor and more sustainable transport, they need to make a trade-off between maintaining a high delivery service or reducing the delivery service with an increased fill rate and its positive effects. The results of the calculations also showed that if the demand for goods is low and/or the fill rate is increased but not enough to reduce the transport demand, the climate impact and transport costs remain unchanged. Finally, the results of the study also showed that there is a difference if the calculations are performed on weekly or monthly flow data. The monthly calculations results in a larger number of eliminated transports, which is due to larger transportation volumes.

<p><strong>Master’s thesis in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Title:  Logistics Management in Retail Industry: a case study 7-Eleven in</strong><strong> Thailand</strong></p><p><strong>Author:  Latika Supasansanee and Patthaveekarn Kasiphongphaisan</strong></p><p><strong>Tutor:     Susanne Hertz</strong><strong> and Benedikte Borgström</strong></p><p><strong>Date:      June 1, 2009</strong></p><p><strong>Keywords: 7-Eleven Thailand, Logistics, Retail     Convenience, Distribution Center and Warehouse, IT-Apply in retail store, and Competitive advantage</strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Introduction: </strong>In today’s challenging competition in the consumer goods, the manufacturers strive for their products to reach final customers before they turn their heads to the rival’s ones. This research attempts to understand and investigate how 7-Eleven company manages its logistics activities, distribution and applying information technology to achieve competitive advantages.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Purpose: </strong>The purpose of thesis is, in retailing industry and retailing convenience store’s perspective, to identify and describe the way 7-Eleven manages and operates its retail convenience business focusing on several aspects; strategic fits, distribution and IT, which support 7-Eleven’s activities and how they contribute to competitive advantages for the firm.<strong> </strong></p><p><strong> </strong></p><p><strong>Frame of reference: </strong>Based on various sources of literature concerning competitive advantage and strategic fits, distribution related to marketing and retail, distribution centers and warehousing, and information system apply in retail store.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Method: </strong>The study is considered as qualitative single-case study. Data is collected from the interviews with several parties involve with retail convenience industry in Thailand. Secondary data is retrieved from the information system, research and reports, publication sources as well as internet sources.  Lastly, data analysis is followed by the literature chapter.<strong> </strong></p><p> </p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>By applying the synchronized strategies between supply chain members to adjust and modify the capabilities of firms, leads to supply chain benefits and competitive advantage for retail firm. The applications of IT and Distribution Centers enhance supply chain capabilities, reliability, and dependability which result in better service and market performance. They are also the keys that facilitate the operations of supply chain and retail store.</p><p> </p><p> </p><p> </p>

Submitted by JOSIANE SANTOS DE OLIVEIRA (josianeso) on 2017-11-29T16:00:55Z No. of bitstreams: 1 André da Silva Davi_.pdf: 2370087 bytes, checksum: dcaf9c82247a500748da7c104102054b (MD5) / Made available in DSpace on 2017-11-29T16:00:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 André da Silva Davi_.pdf: 2370087 bytes, checksum: dcaf9c82247a500748da7c104102054b (MD5) Previous issue date: 2017-09-12 / Nenhuma / Neste trabalho foi desenvolvido um modelo computacional para a otimização de layout de um Armazém. Além da abordagem do Problema de Layout de Armazém, também é abordado o Problema de Família de Partes. Para o desenvolvimento do modelo foi aplicada a metaheurística Algoritmo Genético. O objetivo do estudo é projetar a configuração de um armazém que otimize a alocação de mercadorias nas prateleiras tal que proporcione a minimização da movimentação das mesmas durante a seleção de pedidos, pois a operação e a gerência são partes essenciais das operações e serviços realizados. Para isto, as variáveis de decisão são: a distância absoluta da localização da mercadoria e o número de pedidos por dia. O resultado deste trabalho é a geração de um layout capaz de comportar as mercadorias de acordo com as necessidades de alocação, realizando uma otimização de aproximadamente 15%. / In this work a computational model was developed for a warehouse layout optimization. In addition to the Warehouse Layout Problem approach, the Part Family Problem is also addressed. For the development of the model was applied the metaheuristic Genetic Algorithm. The objective of the study is to design the configuration of a warehouse that optimizes an allocation of goods on the shelves that provides a minimization of the warehouse's movement during order selection, operation and management with essential uses of the operations and services performed. The decision variables are: the absolute distance of the location of the merchandise and the number of requests per day. The result is a set of new layouts, according to the conditions of service and the realization of an optimization of approximately 15%.

[pt] O tema armazenagem tem se tornado cada vez mais relevante na logística, tanto na academia, quanto nas empresas que dependem de centros de distribuição (CD). Esta dissertação tem como objetivo analisar a operação de um CD de uma empresa de cosméticos com base em seus processos e em seus perfis de atividades e, ainda, propor melhorias na operação visando ganhos de produtividade e acuracidade. No caso estudado, o comitê gerencial da empresa identificou a necessidade de promover ganhos de produtividade e acuracidade da operação bem como levantar oportunidades de melhorias, o que motivaram esta pesquisa. Para atingir esses objetivos, o estudo do caso foi estruturado em 3 fases: contextualização; diagnóstico e; elaboração de propostas de melhorias, plano de ação e implementação. O método de pesquisa utilizado na fase 1 consistiu em contínuas visitas in loco, pesquisa bibliográfica de artigos e livros nacionais e internacionais, na coleta e análise de dados extraídos dos sistemas de informação da empresa, realização de entrevistas semiestruturadas bem como entrevistas de validação, para então elaboração de diagnósticos e análises na fase 2. Como resultado dos diagnósticos da estrutura e processos do CD da empresa Alfa, são apresentados na fase 3 propostas de melhorias, planos de ação e oportunidades de ganhos logísticos para implementação. Nesta fase 3, as maiores oportunidades de ganhos foram identificadas nos processos de estoque e picking (preparação) sendo este último fundamentado no estudo dos perfis de atividades de armazenagem. Dentre as propostas implementadas, destaca-se a reestruturação da atividade de picking que atingiu bons resultados com uma correta reorganização e redimensionamento das posições de bases dos SKUs sem necessidade de adoção de nenhuma nova tecnologia. / [en] The theme storage has become increasingly important in logistics, both in academia, as in companies that rely on distribution centers (DC). This thesis aims to analyze the operation of a CD of a cosmetics company based on its processes and activities in their profiles, and also propose improvements in the operation aimed at boosting productivity and accuracy. In the case studied, the management committee of the company identified the need to promote productivity gains and accuracy of the transaction and raise opportunities for improvement, which motivated this research. To achieve these objectives, the case study was structured in three phases: context, diagnosis and, development of proposals for improvements, plan of action and implementation. The research method used in Phase 1 consisted of continuous on-site visits, literature search of articles and books, national and international, in the collection and analysis of data extracted from the company s information systems, semi structured interviews and validation interviews to then development of diagnostics and analysis in phase 2. As a result of the diagnosis of the structure and processes of the company Alfa CD, are shown in phase 3 improvement proposals, action plans and opportunities for implementation of logistics gains. In phase 3, the biggest profit opportunities were identified in the process of stock picking and (preparation) the latter being based on the study of profiles storage activities. Among the proposals implemented, there is the restructuring of picking activities that achieved good results with a proper reorganization and downsizing of positions of bases of SKUs without the adoption of any new technology.

Master’s thesis in International Logistics and Supply Chain Management Title:  Logistics Management in Retail Industry: a case study 7-Eleven in Thailand Author:  Latika Supasansanee and Patthaveekarn Kasiphongphaisan Tutor:     Susanne Hertz and Benedikte Borgström Date:      June 1, 2009 Keywords: 7-Eleven Thailand, Logistics, Retail     Convenience, Distribution Center and Warehouse, IT-Apply in retail store, and Competitive advantage Introduction: In today’s challenging competition in the consumer goods, the manufacturers strive for their products to reach final customers before they turn their heads to the rival’s ones. This research attempts to understand and investigate how 7-Eleven company manages its logistics activities, distribution and applying information technology to achieve competitive advantages. Purpose: The purpose of thesis is, in retailing industry and retailing convenience store’s perspective, to identify and describe the way 7-Eleven manages and operates its retail convenience business focusing on several aspects; strategic fits, distribution and IT, which support 7-Eleven’s activities and how they contribute to competitive advantages for the firm. Frame of reference: Based on various sources of literature concerning competitive advantage and strategic fits, distribution related to marketing and retail, distribution centers and warehousing, and information system apply in retail store.   Method: The study is considered as qualitative single-case study. Data is collected from the interviews with several parties involve with retail convenience industry in Thailand. Secondary data is retrieved from the information system, research and reports, publication sources as well as internet sources.  Lastly, data analysis is followed by the literature chapter.   Conclusion: By applying the synchronized strategies between supply chain members to adjust and modify the capabilities of firms, leads to supply chain benefits and competitive advantage for retail firm. The applications of IT and Distribution Centers enhance supply chain capabilities, reliability, and dependability which result in better service and market performance. They are also the keys that facilitate the operations of supply chain and retail store.

Master of Agribusiness / Department of Agricultural Economics / Vincent Amanor-Boadu / Order picking errors have an adverse effect on performance because they contribute to lost time, resources and customer loyalty. Therefore, it is imperative that organizations reduce errors as much as possible. However, organizations cannot effectively reduce errors until they understand the factors that determine and influence them and can isolate the sources of those errors. Product distribution at Frito Lay is very critical in the supply chain activities of the company and understanding and managing the level of errors that occur at the distribution phase of operations is critical for the firm’s long term sustained competitiveness. This study examines Frito Lay’s order filling processes and how order volumes affect the level of errors. The company uses two types of order picking technologies: prepick and bulk order, conventionally also known as pick-to-light and voice-pick technology respectively. The main objectives of the study are: (a) to examine the impact of size of volume processed at the distribution center on errors recorded for each order pick technology and (b) the impact of regional and seasonal differences across Frito Lay’s distribution network. The data pertaining to pre-pick volume, pre-pick error, bulk volume and bulk error were collected for ten consecutive quarters time period ranging from first quarter of 2009 to the second quarter of 2011 and across 16 divisional distribution centers in four regions of the U.S. The data were organized into a panel for analyses using Stata® 12.1. With no a priori foundation for choosing any particular structural equation form, a number of structural equations were estimated and compared to consistency with economic theory and internal consistency. Two different sets of models were estimated: one for each technology. The regression results from the analysis from the pre-pick order picking technology models showed the quadratic model was the “best” model, whereas the linear model turned out to be the “best” structural form for bulk order picking system. This research provides valuable information to management in attempt to address errors in the order fulfillment system. Because errors may be human, and these human errors may emanate from lack of knowledge or poor skills, they can be addressed with training and education. The human errors may also be a result of processes in the plant. These could be addressed by the reconfiguration of processes and educating people about those processes. Finally, the errors may be motivational, leading to poor focus in executing responsibilities. To address these types of errors, management may choose to implement both positive and negative incentives. Positive incentives will provide rewards to employees who meet error reduction targets that are established at the beginning of certain periods. Negative incentives may include penalties for exceeding pre-specified error thresholds. The Frito Lay system would benefit more from this research if the data had included human resource demographic data as well as economic information. It would have allowed the research to estimate the effect of errors on the economic performance of the different distribution centers and help determine the economically optimal level of errors at the different centers.

Made available in DSpace on 2016-06-02T19:51:55Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 4396.pdf: 3518581 bytes, checksum: 4b5341cc7f669d73522102d6416dc1e0 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2012-03-13 / The companies included in a globalized environment, so as to ensure their competitiveness and profitability, are seeking to implement operational excellence programs that aim at customer satisfaction (service level achieved at a fair price) and its employees. The lean philosophy has been pervasive in all sectors, and in the entire chain of value stream, as a means of getting to win this excellence and differentiate themselves in the international market. The distribution centers, and specifically the activity of picking, present themselves as a key point in this chain when considering improvements, since depending on the type of distribution center, the cost of labor associated with picking coul be significative. Coupled with the cost, the time of this activity substantially affects the cycle time of application, ie, the time between receiving a customer order and correct delivery of products. This study therefore aims to contribute to the understanding of the gains that can be obtained with the use of tools and concepts of "Lean thinking" implemented in picking procedure in a distribution center. To this are presented two proposals to do the picking process. The proposals built based on concepts of lean tools are simulated using the Simio, simulation software , and compared with the current process. The analysis of simulation results helped to find out what the procedure for picking has the best performance and satisfies customer requirements. / As empresas inseridas em um ambiente globalizado, visando garantir sua competitividade e lucratividade, buscam implementar programas de excelência operacional que tenham como objetivo a satisfação do cliente (nível de serviço alcançado a um preço justo) e de seus colaboradores. A filosofia Lean tem sido difundida em todos os setores e em toda cadeia de fluxo de valor, como meio de conseguir ganhar esta excelência e diferenciar-se no mercado internacional. Os centros de distribuição, e especificamente a atividade de picking, se apresentam como um ponto-chave desta cadeia quando se pensa em melhoria. Pois, dependendo do tipo de centro de distribuição, o custo de mão-de-obra associado à atividade de picking é significativo. Aliado ao custo, o tempo dessa atividade influi de maneira substancial no tempo de ciclo de pedido, ou seja, o tempo entre o recebimento de um pedido do cliente e a entrega correta dos produtos. Este estudo pretende, portanto, contribuir para a compreensão dos ganhos que podem ser obtidos com a utilização de conceitos e ferramentas do pensamento Lean implementados em procedimentos de picking de um centro de distribuição. Para isto são apresentadas duas propostas para realizar o processo de picking. As propostas construídas baseadas em conceitos de ferramentas Lean, são simuladas com o software de simulação Simio e comparadas com o processo atual. A análise dos resultados da simulação contribuíram para encontrar qual o procedimento de picking apresenta melhor desempenho e satisfaz os requerimentos dos clientes.

[pt] Nos dias de hoje, com o ambiente empresarial cada vez mais competitivo, a tecnologia de informação, quando bem utilizada, torna-se um importante diferencial entre as empresas na busca pela excelência no atendimento ao cliente. Desta forma, cada vez mais as empresas procuram alternativas para facilitar o gerenciamento de suas atividades, visando aumentar o controle, reduzir os custos e obter informações precisas que possam de fato agilizar a tomada de decisões e consequentemente melhorar o ní­vel do serviço prestado. O Sistema de Gestão de Armazéns (Warehouse Management System - WMS) vem sendo implementado principalmente pelos grandes operadores logí­sticos. A pesquisa realizada pela Booz Allen & Hamilton em parceria com o Centro de Estudos em Logí­stica em 2001 (CEL-Coppead) constatou que até 50% dos operadores logí­sticos pesquisados já utilizavam esta tecnologia (Costa et al., 2001). Dado o crescimento do uso do WMS, e a possibilidade por parte da autora de participar da implementação desta tecnologia em uma empresa durante o desenvolvimento de sua pesquisa de mestrado, os objetivos desta dissertação são: mapear a operação do Centro de Distribuição (CD) da Empresa Alfa antes da implementação do WMS; e analisar o processo de implementação de um WMS em um CD em operação. Como a autora fizera parte da equipe de implementação do WMS na Empresa Alfa, a metodologia utilizada para a elaboração desse trabalho incluiu: pesquisa bibliográfica, visitas in loco e entrevistas não estruturadas junto aos envolvidos na operação. O resultado desta dissertação é uma análise da operação antes e durante a implementação do WMS, aliado aos principais resultados extraí­dos pelas simulações, dado que até o presente momento o WMS ainda não se tornou uma realidade junto a Empresa Alfa devido a mudanças estratégicas no cronograma de implementação. / [en] Nowadays, in a competitive business environment, when the information of technology is well used it becomes of a great value among companies that search for excellence in customer relationship attendance. Therefore, more and more often, the companies are searching for alternatives to ease the management of activities, increasing control, reducing costs and getting important information that can result in quicker decisions and consequently improve the level of the service. Recently, the WMS is being implemented in general by the biggest logistics operators. A Booz Allen & Hamilton´s research in partnership with the Center of Studies in Logistic in 2001 (CEL-Coppead) evidenced that up to 50% of the logistic operators have already been using this technology (Costa et al., 2001). Due to the growth of WMS use and the possibility for the author to participate in an implementation of this technology in a company during her Master Research, the objectives of this work are: to map the operation of the Alpha Company´s Distribution Center (DC) before WMS implementation; and analyze the WMS implementation process in a DC that is in operation. Since the author was part of the team in the implementation of WMS in the Alpha Company, the methodology used for the elaboration of this work included: bibliographical research, visits in loco to the Alpha Company´s DC and non structuralized interviews with the involved parts in the operation. As a result of this work, we have an analysis of the operation before and during the implementation of the WMS in line with the main results of the simulations, given that until the present moment, due to strategic changes in implementation chronogram the WMS still has not become a reality in the Alpha Company.

This thesis analyzes the impact of processes associated with order execution on customer satisfaction. The theoretical part should introduce readers to current and relatively comprehensive e-commerce market. The objective is to formulate and highlight information and concepts, which are important for understanding the subsequent practical applications. The thesis is focused on logistics processes that affect customer satisfaction, e.g. receiving, assembling and shipping. The practical part should analyze the processes using the example of an online store Mall.cz. The main interest of the thesis emphasis on the functioning of the distribution center, identification of bottlenecks and the implementation of measures for the efficient order execution. In the final part the author analyzes three major competitors and their offers of the delivery of goods. The output of that part is a SWOT analysis. The main objective of the thesis is to identify the key factors of logistics processes and evaluate their impact on customer satisfaction. A specific feature and benefit of this work is the interconnection of marketing and logistics perspective.