Development of Distribution Logistics for Fast Moving Consumer Goods in Poland

This work analyzes the current situation of distribution logistics in Poland and tries to anticipate future developments in this area. It demonstrates, how the current economic growth and EU membership of Poland since 2004 influences these developments. The focus is on availability of infrastructure, cost of operations, the European distribution structure and distribution channel structures. The research shows that conditions for distribution operations in Poland are on the one hand good, because operation costs are low and warehouse space is cheap and sufficient in supply. On the other hand, the slow development of the road infrastructure and other issues cause major problems. However, the growing Polish market, as well as the central location within Europe, shows that demand for distribution capacities in Poland exists. The work further shows the changes in the distribution channel. While the traditional outlets from independent retailers is slowly loosing importance, the group of modern outlets, consisting of hypermarkets, supermarkets and discount stores, is growing rapidly. Here the dominant companies are foreign investors. These changes in the retail market influence the distribution strategies of manufacturers. They for example try to avoid wholesalers by selling directly to retailers. Furthermore, outsourcing of distribution operations to 3PL providers is practiced more and more. (author's abstract)Series: Schriftenreihe des Instituts für Transportwirtschaft und Logistik - Logisti

A Theoretical Model of Lean warehousing

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Adding value to fresh and processed produce through product certification

The current trend in world trade of agro-food, and the change in consumer demand patterns for food and agricultural products, has led to a fast growth of multi-national chains of retail stores in major cities in developing countries and growth in domestic retail store chains. Their presence opens a new market for high quality agro-food. While many products come from overseas, many can also be supplied locally by farmers or farmers’ co-operatives or associations provided that they meet the quality and supply standards required by the store. To study and identify specific benefits from this global economic trend that can be tapped by secondary crops farmers, specifically those living in medium altitude areas, two studies were conducted in two member countries of CAPSA-ESCAP, i.e., Indonesia and the Philippines, with assistance provided by the government of France. Product certification requirements by the retailers, and best practices on product certification by the various producers and processors from farms to retailers, were studied, analysed, and collated.AGRICULTURAL PRODUCTS, PRODUCT CERTIFICATION, FARMERS ASSOCIATIONS, Agricultural and Food Policy, Farm Management, Food Security and Poverty,

Fresh fruit and vegetables: a world of multiple interactions : the case of the Buenos Aires Central Wholesale Market (BACWM)

This research explores ethnographically the everyday social interactions between the ‘users’ of a particular marketplace, the Buenos Aires Central Wholesale Market (BACWM). The ‘users’ of this marketplace are the social actors who work there everyday, and who bring and buy fresh produce. These ´users´ are the ´makers´ of the BACWM since, through their everyday practices, interactions and interpretations and knowledge, they socially construct this hub of distribution

Facility Location Planning in Relief Logistics: Decision Support for German Authorities

Disasters have devastating impacts on societies, affecting millions of people and businesses each year. The delivery of essential goods to beneficiaries in the aftermath of a disaster is one of the main objectives of relief logistics. In this context, selecting suitable locations for three different types of essential facilities is central: warehouses, distribution centers, and points of distribution. The present dissertation aims to improve relief logistics by advancing the location selection process and its core components. Five studies published as companion articles address substantial aspects of relief logistics. Despite the case studies\u27 geographical focus on Germany, valuable insights for relief logistics are derived that could also be applied to other countries. Study A addresses the importance of public-private collaboration in disasters and highlights the significance of considering differences in resources, capabilities, and strategies when using logistical models. Moreover, power differences, information sharing, and partner selection also play an important role. Study B elaborates on the challenges to identify candidate locations for warehouses, which are jointly used by public and private actors, and suggests a methodology to approach the collaborative warehouse selection process. Study C investigates the distribution center selection process and highlights that including decision-makers\u27 preferences in the objective function of location selection models helps to raise awareness of the implications of location decisions and increases transparency for decision-makers and the general population. Study D analyzes the urban water supply in disasters using a combination of emergency wells and mobile water treatment systems. Selected locations of mobile systems change significantly if vulnerable parts of the population are prioritized. Study E highlights the importance of accurate information in disasters and introduces a framework that allows determining the value of accurate information and the planning error due to inaccurate information. In addition to the detailed results of the case studies, four general recommendations for authorities are derived: First, it is essential to collect information before the start of the disaster. Second, training exercises or role-playing simulations with companies will help to ensure that planned collaboration processes can be implemented in practice. Third, targeted adjustments to the German disaster management system can strengthen the country\u27s resilience. Fourth, initiating public debates on strategies to prioritize parts of the population might increase the acceptance of the related decision and the stockpiling of goods for the people who know in advance that they will likely not receive support. The present dissertation provides valuable insights into disaster relief. Therefore, it offers the potential to significantly improve the distribution of goods in the aftermath of future disasters and increase disaster resilience

Warehousing: a comparative methodology approach

The aim of this study is to find ways to increase an agile flow of materials in a warehouse while comparing different methodologies. In order to achieve this goal, an analysis of the current status of a warehouse of raw material and packaging is carried out and some situations that lack improvements are highlighted. Afterwards enhancements are suggested in several dimensions: the analysis of the capacity, the allocation method and the layout. To analyse the current situation, two different tools are created in Excel, all from the beginning, taking into consideration the company’s point of view and the new one, proposed by the author. Regarding the capacity, a volume approach is suggested so as to understand the warehouse capacity. Thus, a change in the storage assignment policy is proposed which results in a different layout. Evidence leads to the conclusion that with the proposed methodology it is possible to see a warehouse with a more balanced occupation, a decrease in costs, in material damages, and in the travelling distance and time (29,96 km/year, approximately 32,52 hours). An increase in the warehouse capacity (9,77%) and in terms of safety can also be identified, leading to the conclusion that the suggested methodology could be implemented.O objetivo da presente dissertação é encontrar formas de fomentar um fluxo ágil de materiais num armazém, comparando diferentes metodologias. Para atingir este objetivo, é feita uma análise do estado atual de um armazém de matérias primas e produtos de embalagem. Após investigar e compreender o funcionamento do mesmo, algumas situações que carecem de melhoria são destacadas. Posteriormente, são sugeridos alguns aprimoramentos em várias dimensões: na análise da capacidade, no método de alocação e no layout. Para examinar a situação atual, são criadas duas ferramentas distintas em Excel, tendo em consideração o ponto de vista da empresa e o da nova proposta apresentada pela autora. Relativamente à capacidade, é sugerida uma abordagem que tem em consideração o volume por forma a identificar a verdadeira capacidade do armazém. Assim, é apresentada a possibilidade de uma mudança na política de armazenamento, que resulta num layout diferente. Os resultados levam à conclusão de que, com a metodologia da autora, é possível observar um armazém com ocupação mais balanceada, uma diminuição nos custos, nos danos dos materiais, na distância e no tempo de deslocação (29,96 km/ano, aproximadamente 32,52 horas). Também se consegue identificar um aumento de 9,77% na capacidade do armazém e um acréscimo de segurança, levando à conclusão de que a metodologia sugerida poderia ser implementada