Archive for the ‘Logistics’ Category:
13 Amazing Logistics Stories
Traditionally, Logistics Management has been defined as an efficient flow and storage of goods from their point of origin to the point of consumption. The process covers a diverse number of functional areas such as transportation, traffic, shipping, storage, receiving and import/export operations. But over the years, Logistics management has become much more – it is now an important way for companies to reduce their costs and to improve their overall customer service.
A recent US study found that logistics costs account for almost 10% of the gross domestic product. Be it national defense, a manufacturing firm, a terrorist outfit, a space project, a courier company – how efficiently logistics are managed can make the difference between success and failure for them. So how exactly has Logistics evolved over the years?
1. Glass Recycling Logistics:
A process as complex as glass recycling (that involves collecting and sorting broken glass pieces of
every conceivable type and color; mixed with metal, ceramic, and other materials) would simply not be doable without detailed attention to the minutest aspect of logistics management. The state of the art glass recycling facility at ‘Visy Recycling Glass’ in Laverton is a classic example of success based on logistics management. It is the only facility of its kind within Australia that allows mixed and broken glass to be sorted into different colors, whilst removing high levels of contamination during the process.
The automated glass facility is fully computerized - each step of the process is accessible and adjustable through a computer monitored system. Using optical sorting, the automated glass facility identifies and separates the different types or colors of glass by taking individual snapshots of each piece of glass at high speed. Air jets are then used to shoot different types of glass into individual color streams.
The cameras used in the automated optical sort can sort up to a million individual pieces of glass per minute and can detect up to 16 million different colors in total.
“The facility was upgraded in 2005 and has driven glass recycling rates from 65,000 tonne to up to 120,000 tonne per annum or just under a 50% improvement in recovery rates since its completion.” (Powder and Bulk blog)
2. Largest Earth Mover in the World:
The bulldozing industry has tried to tackle the creation of a bigger and better earth mover for
decades. But because of the logistical problems inherent in the creating equipment of that size, it could not be done. That is, until the German company, Krupp; overcame the logistical problems to create the largest earth mover in the world.
Specifications: (courtesy American Top Ten blog)
- The mover stands 311 feet tall and 705 feet long.
- It weighs over 45,500 tons
- Cost $100 million to build
- Took 5 years to design and manufacture
- 5 years to assemble.
- Requires 5 people to operate it.
- The Bucket Wheel is over 70 feet in diameter with 20 buckets,each of which can hold over 530 cubic feet of material.
- A 6-foot man can stand up inside one of the buckets.
- It moves on 12 crawlers (each is 12 feet wide, 8′ high and 46 feet long).There are 8 crawlers in front and 4 in back.
- It has a maximum speed of 1 mile in 3 hours (1/3 mile/hour).
- It can remove over 76,455 cubic meters each day.(100,000 large dump trucks at 40yds. each)
3. Wartime Logistics – When Medics Had to Fight:
Military logistics management can spell the difference between defeat and victory for a nation. 
During the counterattack in the spring of 1951 against Chinese forces in Korea, the rapid advance of United Nations forces cut off many enemy units behind their lines. The Medical Company of the 21st Regiment, 24th Infantry Division (68 men), set up its tents near a rice paddy on the night of 26 May. 1LT John Atkins, the company administrative assistant, ordered that the guard be doubled that evening from four to eight personnel due to the rumors of enemy troops. It was a wise precaution. A surprise attack that night meant that some men who had never ever fired a weapon before had to hold their own until daylight – which they did!
“Any unit, CS or CSS, can find itself under attack in the "rear" areas no matter how secure it thinks it is. Sensible guard measures and quick reaction teams to cope with varying levels of threat are critical. If appropriate plans are taken, the mission can continue even during such an attack.” (Fighting Medics)
4. Improvising: Making Do with What You Have:
Here are some amazing pictures of ordinary people finding cost-efficient methods to do what needs to be done. (Warning: Use your discretion while viewing some of these pictures – they may be perceived as offensive by some people – especially by animal lovers/vegetarians.)
(Lords of the logistics – Part I)
(Lords of the logistics – Part II)
Subscribe to the comments for this postInfrastructure Required for Logistics solutions
If you want to provide logistics solution to the enterprises, you will have to go through several steps. However, you must understand the process well before providing logistics solutions. Do you know what are the pre-requisite infrastructures required to provide logistics solutions? The following are the pre-requisite infrastructure required to provide logistics solutions:
• Land and Building (Warehouse)
• Trained Manpower
• Material Handling Equipments
• Hardware and Software
• Transport Network
• Vendors
• Consultants
To know about the ground realities of logistics firms, read my post titled “Logistics Firms Falter in Supply Chain Service“.
GIM to Hold Logistics Conference
Goa Institute of Management (GIM) in India is organizing Coferencia Logistica on September 2 and 3, 2006. The two-day Logistics Conference will be held at Hotel Ramada Beach Resort, Goa. The main objective of this conference is to discuss the current scenario of logistics and issues related to its optimization. The conference will also promote discussions on the best practices related to logistics of various industries and technology initiatives such as GPS and RFID. It will also provide the delegates with an opportunity to think on those lines.
Read our post titled “Logistics in Military” to know how logistics is being applied in military.
OH Logistics Launched New Facility in Winchester
Ozburn-Hessey Logistics announced the addition of another multi-client facility to its 21 million square foot network. The new facility is located in Winchester, Virginia. OH Logistics sources said that its space requirement and geographic needs are constantly changing. The company helps its clients adapt to those changes by providing flexible distribution centers. OH Logistics began the site selection process with its internal partner, ProVenture Commercial real Estate in early 2005. Now the company has established its strong foothold in many parts of the United States.
Read our previous post titled “Logistics in Hospitals” to know the importance of logistics in hospitals.
Logistics in Hospitals
Logistics in hospitals help the medical staff in delivering the right services with exceptional levels of customer service. If we talk about personal experiences of the medical supply chain, then we will find that it is being repeated all over the world in hundreds of thousands of locations to millions of recipients. It proves that supply chain management principles apply in many different situations.
The goal of a hospital logistics system is to deliver medical supplies and pharmaceutical products to the final consumer, the patient. In hospitals, logistics does not just support services such as purchasing, stores and the pharmacy, but also health-care services such as patient-care units and operating rooms. Many activities that could be carried out by conventional logistics personnel are performed by health care staff. Logistics is important for the hospitals. However, there must be a clear understanding of all the processes associated with logistics and supply chain.
Read this interesting post titled “All About Logistics” to get a clear idea about logistics.
International Transport Unions Target TNT Logistics
Recently, I had written a post titled “TNT Logistics Opens Regional Distribution Center” that focused on the new regional distribution center opened by TNT Logistics. Now the company has been involved in a major controversy. Transport unions from the UK and Australia are starting a campaign aimed at customers of TNT Logistics before its sale by Dutch parent TNT NV. The Transport Workers Union (TWU) of Australia is supported by Britain’s Transport and General Workers Union (TGWU).
According to them, TNT is refusing to meet with them for a discussion about the company’s future. The company has refused to consult with its unions in the UK and elsewhere about the sale of Logistics Operations and the impact it could have on safe operating systems and job security as well as on pay, pensions and other key conditions of employment.
Logistics in Military
Traditionally, military logistics have been measured in two ways. One way has been to investigate the supply system that has been used. The other way has been concentrated around transport and the remedies used to transport larger amounts of supplies faster and faster. The development may be described as a continuing process without splitting it up into periods.
Logistics has been given many different meanings and views. In military terms, the most used definition says that logistics is everything but fighting itself. That means, no war can be fought without logistics support. Logistics in military includes determination of requirements, production, storage, training, transportation, supply, distribution, maintenance and disposal. Logistics determines the movement and supply of troops in the field. If you look at the World Wars I and II, the Korean War, Gulf War and the Iraq War, logistics played all-important role in determining the course of the wars.
Mumbai Blast Terrorists got Logistics Support from Saudi Arabia
In our material handling blog site, we always discuss the products, services and management issues related to supply chain, RFID, logistics etc. When we choose the logistics category, we provide news items that are helpful to your logistics department. However, for the first time, we are going to share some sensational information with you. We all know about the serial bomb blasts occurred in Mumbai on 7/11 that left over 200 people dead. Now it has been reported that terrorists involved in the blast, used perfect logistics management to conduct these blasts.
Recent interrogation by the Anti Terrorist Squad (ATS) indicates that the train-blast conspiracy was hatched in Saudi Arabia. Terrorists received all logistics support from their associates in that country. Terrorists took a cue from the logistics management system practiced in the industry. They cooperated with each other to manage their logistics support system without being caught. All the financial and logistics support were provided to the terrorists in India secretly that kept the Indian security agencies in the dark. The logistics support used by the terrorists included money, arms, ammunitions and other materials used in the blasts. It is really disturbing terrorists have now become more sophisticated and execute their plans in an efficient manner.
Logistics Firms Falter in Supply Chain Service
According to a survey conducted by the supply chain and logistics consultancy SCALA, there is a serious disparity between logistics customers’ expectations and the reality of the services they receive. The survey also revealed that majority of logistics contractors believe that they offer a fully integrated supply chain service. However, customers who receive the service think otherwise. All logistics companies claim that they have adopted a proactive approach within a contract. However, most customers say they never receive the service as claimed by the companies.
SupplyManagement.com reports -
SCALA managing director John Perry, said: “Logistics companies see benefits in growth through being able to provide a wider range of services; a more integrated service with further benefits from increased synergy; and operational cost benefits.
TNT Logistics Opens Regional Distribution Center
TNT Logistics North America has opened a regional distribution center (RDC) for Otis Elevator Company. The new RDC is located in Orlando, Florida. It will serve Otis’ customers in Florida and the neighboring states. TNT has been providing a variety of distribution support services to Otis. That includes receiving elevator components from Otis Manufacturing plants and its suppliers. These components will be consolidated by TNT and will be delivered directly to job sites. These components will be used in commercial and retail construction. Otis Elevator Company is the world’s largest manufacturer and maintainer of elevators, escalators and moving walkways.
TNT Logistics North America is a business unit of TNT Logistics, a global logistics company. It designs, implements and operates supply chain solutions on a national, regional or global scale for medium to large enterprises. TNT Logistics employs 36,000 people in 28 countries, managing more than 79 million square feet of warehouse space. For 2005, TNT Logistics reported sales of $4.22 billion.