Warehousing

LOGISTIC & WAREHOUSING

WarehousingPart 1: Introduction

Warehouse

• part of a firm’s logistics system that stores products (raw material, parts, goods-in-process, finished goods) at and between point of origin and point of consumption and provides information to management on the status, condition and disposition of items being stored.

• The term distribution center (DC) is sometimes used, but the terms are not identical. Warehouse is the more generic term.

WarehouseWarehouse DCsDCs

• store all productsstore all products

• Handle product in 4 cycles (receive, Handle product in 4 cycles (receive, store, pick and ship)store, pick and ship)

• Perform a min value-added activityPerform a min value-added activity

• Collect data in batchesCollect data in batches• Focus on minimizing the operating Focus on minimizing the operating

cost to meet shipping requirementscost to meet shipping requirements

• hold minimum inventories and hold minimum inventories and predominantly high demand items.predominantly high demand items.

• Handle product in 2 (receive and Handle product in 2 (receive and ship)ship)

• Perform a high % of value adding, Perform a high % of value adding, including possible final assemblyincluding possible final assembly

• Collect data in real-timeCollect data in real-time• Focus on maximizing the profit Focus on maximizing the profit

impact of meeting customer delivery impact of meeting customer delivery requirementrequirement

The differences between Warehouse and DCs

Warehousing decisions may be strategic or operational

Strategic decision deal with the allocation of logistic resources over an extended time in a manner consistent and supportive of overall enterprise policies and objectives.

• Should warehousing be owned, leased, rented or some combination of these?

• Should the warehousing functions be contracted out to a third party provider?

• Should the company install new materials handling equipment or continue to hire more labor?

Operational decisions are used to manage or control logistics performance. For example, a warehouse manager would be concerned with how the best utilize labor in the shipping department.

Strategic versus Operational Warehousing Decisions

Warehousing has traditionally provided storage of products (referred to as inventory) during all phase of the logistics process. Two basic type of inventories can be place into storage:

1. raw materials and component parts (physical supply);

2. Good in process and finished goods (physical distribution).

Why do companies hold inventories in storage?

a) Achieve transportation economies

b) Achieve production economies

c) Maintain a source of supply

d) Take advantages of quantity purchase discount and forward buys

e) Meet changing market condition

Nature and Importance of Warehousing

Several Uses of Warehousing in physical supply and distribution

Supplier A

Supplier B

Supplier C

Supplier D

Warehouse Plant

Plant A

Plant B

Plant C

Mixing warehouse

Customer 1

Customer 2

Customer 3

Customer 4

Plant A

Plant B

Plant C

Consolidation warehouse

Customer 1

Customer 2

Customer 3

Breakbulk Warehouse

Customer 1

Customer 2

Customer 3

Plant

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

A B C

A B C

A B C

BA

CL, TL or LTL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL, TL or LTL

CL, TL or LTL

CL, TL or LTL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

CL or TL

LTL

LTL

LTL

A. Manufacturing support

B. Product - Mixing

C. Consolidation

D. Breakbulk

Manufacturing support

• A firm order raw materials, parts, components or supplier from various suppliers, who ship truckload (TL) or carload (CL) quantities to a warehouse

• Items are transferred from the warehouse to the manufacturing plant

Product Mixing

• Often involves multiple plant location (e.g. plant A, B and C) to a central warehouse.• Shipment are usually make in large quantities (TL or CL) to the central warehouse,

where customer orders for multiple product are combined or mixed for shipment

Outbound Consolidation

• TL and CL shipments are made to a central facility from a number of manufacturing locations

• The warehouse consolidates or combines product from the various plants into a single higher volume shipment to the customer

Break-bulk Warehouse

• Facilities that receive large shipments of product manufacturing plants• Several customer orders are combined into a single shipment from the plants to the

break-bulk warehouse.• When the shipment is received at the warehouse, it is broken down into smaller LTL

shipments which are sent to customers.

Several Uses of Warehousing in physical supply and distribution

Push Systems

1.The traditional method of distribution

2.Productions plans are based on capabilities and capacities of the plant

3.The product is produced in the expectation that it will sell

4.When it is produced faster than it can be sold, it is stockpiled at the plant

warehouse

5.If sales cannot be accelerated, then the plant will be slowed down until supply

moves into balance with demand.

6.Warehouse serves to absorb excess production

Pull Systems

1.Depends on information

2.It is based on a constant monitoring of demand

3.There is no need for a reservoir

4.The warehouse serves as a flow-through center offering improved service by

positioning inventory closer to the customer

Pull versus Push Systems in Warehousing

Transportation economies are possible for both the physical supply and physical distribution systems.

• Physical supply, the warehouse is located near the sources of supply so that the LTL

rates apply only to a short haul the volume rate is used for the long haul from the warehouse to the

plant.

• Physical distribution; Shipments from plants to field warehouses are frequently made by

rail in full carload quantities of the product manufactured at each plant.

The use of field warehouses result in lower transportation costs than direct shipments to customer

Relationship between Warehouse and Transportation

• Short production runs minimize the amount of inventory held throughout the logistic system by producing quantities near to current demand

• Long production runs lead to larger inventories and increased warehouse requirements.

• Warehousing was necessary if the company was to take advantage of quantity purchase discounts on raw materials or other products. Not only is the per unit price lower as a result of the discount, but if the company pays the freight, transportation costs will be less on a volume purchase because of the transportation economies.

• Increasingly, companies operating with a JIT manufacturing philosophy are negotiating with their suppliers to receive cumulative quantity discounts. Thus, they receive the lower rate base on total yearly order volume rather than individual order size.

Relationships between Warehousing and Production

Warehouse and Customer Service

• Customer service policies, such as a 24-hour delivery standard, may require a number of field warehouses in order to minimize total costs while achieving the standard.

• Changing the market condition may make it necessary to warehouse product in the field, primarily because companies are unable to accurately predict consumer demand and the time of retailer or wholesaler order. By keeping some excess inventory in field warehouse location, companies can response quickly to meet unexpected demand.

• Excess inventory allows manufacturers to fill customer order when shipments to restock the field a warehouse arrive late

Relationships between Warehousing and Customer Service

i. Cross-docking

• the warehouses serve primarily as “distribution mixing centers.”

• Product arrive in bulk and is immediately broken down and mixed in the proper range and quantity of product for customer shipment.

• In essence, the product never enters the warehouse.

• Cross-docking is becoming popular among retailers, who can order TL, then remix and immediately ship to individual store locations.

When a firm decides to store product in the field, it faces two warehousingoptions: rented facilities, called public warehousing, or owned or leased facilities, called private warehousing

Types of Warehousing

Cross-docking warehouse

Contract Warehousing

• “…a long-term mutually beneficial arrangement which provides unique and specially tailored warehousing and logistics service exclusively to one client, where vendor and client share the risks associate with the operation. (There is a) focus on productivity, service and efficiency, not the fee and rate structure itself”.

Types Customer service Financial Considerations

Public • Operating costs tend to be higher because the warehouse attempt to operate at a profit

Contract • Provide higher service levels because of its more specialized facilities and equipment and its better familiarity with the firm’s product, customers and markets

ii. Private Warehouse

Types of Warehousing

iii. Public Warehouses

1. General Merchandise Warehouse• The most common form storing almost any kind of

product

2. Refrigerated Warehouse• Provide a temperature controlled storage environment• Used for preserving perishable items such as fruits and

vegetables

3. Bonded Warehouse• These warehouses undertake surety bonds and place their

premises under the custody of an agent of the Treasury.• Goods such as imported tobacco and alcoholic beverages

are stored in this type of warehouse, although the government retains control of the goods until they are distributed to the market.

• The importers must pay customs duties

Types of Public Warehouses

4. Household Goods Warehouse• Used for storage of personal property rather than merchandise

5. Special Commodity Warehouse• Used for particular agricultural such as wool, grains and cotton.• Ordinarily, handles one kind of product and offers special

services specific to that product

6. Bulk Storage Warehouses• Provide tank storage of liquids and open or sheltered storage

of dry products such as coal, sand and chemicals.• Provide services such as filling drums from bulk or mixing

various types of chemical with others to produce new compound or mixtures.

Types of Public Warehouses

General Merchandise Warehouse

Refrigerated Warehouse

Bonded Warehouse

Household Goods Warehouse

Special Commodity Warehouse

Bulk Storage Warehouses

•3 basic functions:1) Movement2) Storage3) Information transfer

Reserve storage and

pallet picking

Case picking

Broken case

picking

Accumulation, sortation, packing and utilization

ShippingCross-docking

Replenishment Replenishment

Direct-putaway to primary

Direct-putaway to reserve

Receiving

Typical warehouse functions and flows

Part 2: Warehousing Operations: Three Functions

a) Receiving - unloading of products from the transportation carrier, the updating of warehouse inventory records, inspection of damage and verification of the merchandise count against order and shipping records

b) Transfer or put-away – the physical movement of the product into the warehouse for storage, movement to areas for specialized services such as consolidation and movement to outbound shipment.

c) Order picking / selection – is the major movement activity and involves regrouping products into the assortments customers desire. Packing slip are made up at this point.

d) Cross docking – bypasses the storage activity by transferring items directly from the receiving dock to the shipping dock.

e) Shipping – consists of product staging and physically moving the assembled orders onto carrier equipment, adjusting inventory and checking orders to be shipped.

MovementDivided into several activities:

Can be performed on a temporary or a semi-permanent basis

a) Temporary storage

Emphasizes the movement function of the warehouse and includes only the storage of product necessary for basic inventory replenishment.

b) Semi-permanent storage

Is the storage of inventory in excess of that required for normal replenishment -> this inventory referred as buffer of safety stock

The most conditions leading to semi-permanent storage;1) Seasonal demand2) Erratic demand3) Speculation or forward buying4) Special deals such as quantity discount

Storage

Occurs simultaneously with the movement and storage function

Management needs timely and accurate information as it attempts to administer the warehouse activity.

Examples of information that is vital to the successful operation of a warehouse; Inventory levels Throughput levels (i.e., the amount of product moving

through the warehouse) Stock keeping locations Inbound and outbound shipment Customer data Facility space utilization

Organizations are relying on computerized information transfer utilizing electronic data interchange (EDI) and bar coding to improve both the speed and accuracy of information transfer.

•Information Transfer

Advantages and Disadvantages of Public Warehousing

The benefits of uses public warehouses rather than private warehousing

1.Conservation of capital

• Require no capital investment from the user• The user avoids the investment in buildings, land and material

handling equipment

2.The ability to increase warehouse space to cover peak requirement

• If a firm’s operations are subjected to seasonality, the public warehouse allows the user to rent as much storage space as needed to meet peak requirement

Part 3: Public (rented) versus Private Warehousing (owned or leased)

3.Reduced risk

• The user firm can switch to another facility in a short period of time, often within 30 days.

4.Economies of scale

• Can offer a number of specialized services more economically than a private warehouse; Packaging of manufacturers product for shipping Consolidation of damaged and recalled product for

shipment to the manufacturer in CL or TL quantities. Can performed the reworking of damaged product.

5. Greater Flexibility

• Require only a short term contract and short term commitments.

• Short term contract make it is easy for firms to change warehouse locations

• A firm that uses public warehouses does not have to hire or lay off employees as the volume of business changes

6. Tax advantages

• If the company does not currently own property in a state, it may find it advantageous to use a public warehouse

• Since it doesn’t own property, it is not subjected to taxes, which is quite substantial

7. Knows Exact Warehousing Costs

• know the exact storage and handling costs because we receives a bill each month

• The user can forecast costs for different levels of activity because the costs are known in advance.

8. Can Minimize Labor Disputes

• The court has ruled that a labor union does not have the right to picket a public warehouse when the union is involved in a labor dispute with one of the customers of that warehouse.

Public (rented) versus Private Warehousing (owned or leased)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Public Warehousing

The disadvantages of uses public warehouses

1. Communication Problems

Not all computer terminals and system are compatible A warehouse operator may hesitate to add another terminal

for only one customer

2. Lack of Specialized Services

Many public warehouse facilities provide only local service A manufacturer that wants to use public warehouses for

national distribution may find it necessary to deal with several different operators and monitors several contractual agreements

3. Space May Not Be Available

Public warehousing space may not be available when and where a firm wants it.

Shortage of space do occur periodically in selected markets, which can have an adverse affect on the

logistics and marketing strategies of a firm.

Public (rented) versus Private Warehousing (owned or leased)Advantages and Disadvantages of Public Warehousing

The Benefits of uses Private Warehousing

1. Degree of Control

The firm has direct control of and responsibility for the product until the customer takes possession or delivery

2. Flexibility

With warehouse control comes a greater degree of flexibility to design and operate the warehouse to fit the needs of customers and the characteristics of the product.

The warehouse can be modified through expansion or renovation to facilitate product changes or it can be converted to manufacturing plant or branch office location.

3. Less Costly Over the Long Term Private warehousing can be less costly over the long term

3. Better Use of Human Resources

• There is greater care in handling and storage when the firm’s own workforce operates the warehouse

4. Tax Benefits

• Depreciation allowances on buildings and equipment reduce taxes payable

5. Intangible Benefits

• When a firm distributes its product through a private warehouse, it can give the customer a sense of permanence and continuity of business operation

• The customers sees the company as a stable, dependable and lasting supplier of product

Public (rented) VS Private Warehousing (owned or leased)

Advantages and Disadvantages of Private Warehousing

The disadvantages of uses Private Warehousing

1. Lack of Flexibility

Many experts feel that the major drawback of private warehousing is the same as one its main advantages Flexibility

May be too costly because of its fixed size and costs In a short run, a private facility cannot expand and contract

to meet increases or decreases in demand

2. Financial Constraints

high costs involved, many firms are simply unable to build or buy a warehouse

The hiring and training employees, the purchase of material handling equipment makes start up a costly and time consuming process

A warehouse is a long-term, often risky investment which later may be difficult to sell because of its customized design

3. Rate of Return

At a minimum, the investment in a corporate warehouse should generate the same rate of returns as the firm’s other investments.

most companies find it advantageous to use a combination of public and private warehousing.

It is best to use private warehousing to handle the basic inventory levels

On the other hand, any extra volume can be stored in the public warehouse during peak periods where private warehouse is full.

1. Size and Number of Warehouse

• Size can be defined in terms of square footage or cubic space• Cubic space refer to the total volume of space available

within a facility• Greater space required when product are large, production

lead time is long, manual material handling are used and demand is erratic and unpredictable

• 4 factors are significantly in deciding the number of warehousing facilitiesa) Cost of Lost Sales ↑, no. warehouse ↓b) Inventory Costs ↑, no. warehouse ↑c) Warehousing Costs ↑, no. warehouse ↑d) Transportation Costs ↑, no. warehouse ↓

Part 4: Facility Development

Facility Development

2. Location Analysis

• Macro Approaches;

Market Positioned

Locates warehouses nearest to the final customer Maximize CSL and enables to utilize transportation

economies

Facility Development

Production Positioned

Locates warehouses in close proximity to sources of supply or production facilities

The factors influence the placement are perish ability of raw materials, no. of product in the firm’s mix, assortment of products ordered by customer and transportation consolidation rates

Intermediately Positioned

Strategy that places warehouses at a midpoint location between the final customer and the producer

If it must offer high customer service level and if it has a varied product offering manufactured at several plant location

Facility Development

• Micro Approaches;

Quality and variety of transportation carriers serving the site

Quality and quantity of available labor Labor rates Cost and quality of industrial land Potential for expansion Cost of construction Cost and availability of utilities Tax structure Nature of the community environment

Facility Development

3. Warehouse Layout and Design

• Good warehouse layout can:

1. Increase output

2. Improve product flow

3. Reduce costs

4. Improve service to customer

5. Provide better employee working conditions

Facility Development

3. Warehouse Layout and Design

• 2 example of how product can be located and arranged;

1. Randomized Storagea) Places items in the closets available slot, bin or rack

b) The items are retrieved on a first in, first out (FIFO) basis

c) Employ a computerized automatic storage and retrieval system (AS/RS)

d) Maximizes space utilization, minimizes labor and handling costs

Facility Development

3. Warehouse Layout and Design

2. Dedicated Storage (fixed-slot storage)

a) Products are stored in permanent locations within the warehouse

b) 3 methods to implement the dedicated storage;• Part number sequence• Usage rates• Activity levels (how fast products move in and out)

Facility Development

c) Product may be grouped according to;• Compatibility – refers to whether products can be

stored together harmoniously

• Complementarity – refers to how often products are ordered together and therefore stored together. Example: pens, pencils, desk and chairs

• Popularity – relates to the different inventory turnover rates or demand rates of product. Example: greatest demand stored closest to shipping and receiving docks, slow moving items stored elsewhere

1. Method-Related Programs

• Consider alternative processes for achieving desired result• Warehouse cube utilization, warehouse layout and design,

method and procedures analysis, batch picking of small order, wrap packaging and standardized packaging

2. Equipment-Related Programs

• The use of new technology such as optical scanners, automatic labeling devices, automated handling equipment, communication devices, computer and automated storage/ retrieval systems (AS/RS) and conveyors

Part 5: Improving Warehouse Productivity

3. Systems-Related Programs

• Include the use of router/location systems, geographic or zone picking and random location of products in the warehouse

4. Training/ Motivation-Related Programs

• Include employee training, management development programs, work teams, incentive systems and awards recognition

Part 5: Improving Warehouse Productivity

Question 1

Warehousing is an integral part of every logistics system. Warehouse activity is an important link between the producers and the customers.

a)Explain in your own word what is warehousing. (3 marks)

b) Discuss the four uses of Warehousing in physical supply and distribution. (8 marks)

c) If you plan to start a company, name the warehouse option that you might consider to use. Which type of warehouse that you will opt to use.(4 marks)

Question 2 Effective warehousing management involves a

thorough understanding of the functions of warehousing and the service aspects of warehousing decisions.

a)State the two basic types of inventories that can be place into storage. (2 marks)

b) Discuss why does company hold inventories in storage? (4 marks)

c) Briefly discuss the Pull versus Push system warehousing and the types of public warehouses. (9 marks)

Question 3 Warehousing serves an important role in firm’s

logistics system. In combination with other activities, it provides the firm’s customers with an acceptable level of service.

a)Briefly discuss in your own words the basic function for warehousing. (6 marks)

b) Briefly discuss the Pull versus Push System Warehousing? (6 marks)

c) State the examples of information that is vital to the successful operation of a warehouse.

(3 marks)

Question 4One of the most important warehousing decisions

a company make is whether to use public or private facilities.

a)Briefly discuss in your own words the advantages and disadvantages of Public and Private warehousing . (9 marks)

b) State the impact of having a good warehouse Layout and Design? (3 marks)

c) Which type of warehouse would you choose when you plan to set up a new manufacturing company. (3 marks)

Question 5One of the most important decisions a logistics

executive faces is how to develop an optimal warehousing network for the firm’s products and customers

a)Discuss the 4 factors are significantly in deciding the number of warehousing facilities (4 marks)

b) Briefly explain in your own words the warehouse location selection and discuss which macro approaches that you prefer. (7 marks)

c) Discuss the 4 ways to improve warehouse productivity. (4 marks)