Syfte – Syftet är att undersöka om en merge-in-transit-lösning kan användas vid distributionen av prover inom ett klädföretag för att säkerställa låga kostnader, korta ledtider och kontroll. Metod – En fallstudie har gjorts i samarbete med Didriksons för att uppnå studiens syfte. Datainsamlingsmetoder såsom intervjuer och dokumentstudier har legat till grund för insamlandet av empiri, som kontinuerligt har analyserats mot studiens teoretiska ramverk. Därigenom har studiens resultat utformats. Resultat - Resultatet visar på att en merge-in-transit (MIT)-lösning skulle vara att föredra inom klädbranschen på grund av de tidskrav som finns på snabba leveranser. Vidare framgår det att det är av största vikt att få kommunikationen mellan aktörerna i försörjningskedjan att integrera om en MIT-lösning ska användas. En MIT-lösning kan sänka de direkta transportkostnaderna med 69 procent, samtidigt som studien tyder på att kapitalbindningen och tullkostnaderna minskas. Ökade lagerhållningskostnader kommer att uppstå på grund av inhyrandet i en terminal med MIT-tjänsten som tillkommer. Vad gäller ledtiden kommer den totala ledtiden att reduceras med 15 procent, vilket innebär att leverantörerna fårlängre tid på sig att producera och kan minska antalet delleveranser. Genom att leverantörerna producerar mer till första delleveransen får försäljarna mer i sin första leverans, och därigenom genereras en bättre hel­hets­förståelse över kollektionen som i sin tur leder till bättre beställnings­underlag och mer intäkter. Gällande kontrollaspekten kan den likställas med den konroll som finns i dagsläget. Implikationer ­- Studiens resultat har tagits fram utan att ta hänsyn till prototypstadiet, vilket gör att den komplexitet som råder inom klädbranschen har utelämnats. Resultatet kan ändå vara till hjälp för företag som funderar på att förändra sin distributionskanal, men innan förändringen bör noggrannare kvantitativa kostnadsberäkningar utföras än de som gjorts i denna studie. Vidare rekommenderas det att utvärdera flertalet tredjeparts­logistiker om huruvida de kan vara aktuella partners vid en MIT-lösning, samt hur förutsättningarna för integrationen mellan aktörernas informationssystem ser ut. / Purpose - The purpose is to investigate if a merge-in-transit-solution can be used in the distribution of cloth samples within a cloth company to reduce costs, shorten lead time and maintain control. Method - A case study was conducted in cooperation with Didriksons to achieve the purpose of the study. Methods such as interviews and documentation studies were the basis for the collection of empirical data, which has continuously been analyzed against the study's theoretical framework. Thereby the study findings were generated. Findings - The findings show that a merge-in-transit (MIT) solution would be preferable in the clothing industry due to the time constraints available for fast delivery. Furthermore, it appears that it is vital to get the communication between actors in the supply chain to integrate if an MIT solution should be used. A MIT solution can reduce the direct transport costs by 69 percent, while the study shows that the capital and tariff costs are reduced. Increased inventory costs will be incurred due to hiring a terminal with the MIT service that will be added. As far as lead time, the total lead time is reduced by 15 percent, meaning that suppliers have more time to produce and can reduce the number of deliveries. If the suppliers produce more to the first delivery, it will generate that the salesman can get a better overview of the collection, which make the purchasing process easier and results in higher revenue. When it comes to the control, it can be equated with the control in the current situation. Implications - The study findings has been made regardless to the prototype stage, which means that the complexity of  the clothing industry has been omitted. The result can still be helpful for companies that are searching for a solution to transform their distribution channel. Thus more quantitative calculations need to be conducted before any implementations. Furthermore, it is recommended to evaluate the majority of third party logistics providers to whether they can be relevant partners for a MIT solution.

<p>In a fast moving environment and in a globalized market, companies are searching efficient distribution methods that enable broad product assortment, lower level of inventories, shorter customer order fulfilment, lower transportation costs in order to achieve a more efficient procurement process and a improved customer service. This paper will focus on a new solution in supply chain design to solve these trade-offs between management cost cutting and higher customer level within markets characterized by an increasing globalisation. Merge in transit (MIT) distribution method allows companies to reduce inventory and transportation costs while guaranteeing a high customer perceived service level. It is a new technique in which goods shipped from several supply locations are consolidated into one final customer delivery. The company needs to coordinate shipments so that they arrive simultaneously and goods can be bundled and shipped immediately to the final customer for arrival on due date. Economical benefits and drawbacks will be investigated from a supply chain prospective.</p>

In a fast moving environment and in a globalized market, companies are searching efficient distribution methods that enable broad product assortment, lower level of inventories, shorter customer order fulfilment, lower transportation costs in order to achieve a more efficient procurement process and a improved customer service. This paper will focus on a new solution in supply chain design to solve these trade-offs between management cost cutting and higher customer level within markets characterized by an increasing globalisation. Merge in transit (MIT) distribution method allows companies to reduce inventory and transportation costs while guaranteeing a high customer perceived service level. It is a new technique in which goods shipped from several supply locations are consolidated into one final customer delivery. The company needs to coordinate shipments so that they arrive simultaneously and goods can be bundled and shipped immediately to the final customer for arrival on due date. Economical benefits and drawbacks will be investigated from a supply chain prospective.