Have you ever wondered about supply chain logistics? You can get a good understanding of it by looking closely at a factory assembly line. Because through that manufacturing line, supply chain logistics are applied in a manner and method that keeps the line functioning and working.
The overriding demand for a cohesive supply chain plan begins when the line is started and ends when the product being manufactured is finally delivered into the hands of a satisfied customer.
Logistics, and more specifically, logistics management play a very important role.Along the way, logistics plays a crucial role. Before an assembly line is fired up, you have to determine what the specific parts of a product will be that will be integrated together. This typically is determined ahead of time by a design team. In fact, the very construction of any manufacturing efforts depends on how those different pieces will be put together and in what order.
Part of the supply chain management process even speaks to this: Will the creation of your product be automated or done by hand. Will it be manufactured by hand? Or will it a be a combination of both?
Applying supply chain logistics to this aspect of the assembly line means recruiting, hiring and scheduling a work force. Typically this becomes the duty of the human resources department. Although they may not like to refer to their personnel staff as supply, they are in essence a crucial element of the overall supply chain.
While a staff is being assembled, the logistics of the delivery of the various items needed to be worked out. These particular items could be coming from many different sources, which, for example, is the case of automobile manufacturing.
Inventory levels need to be at the correct stock levels to finish all the orders.If one piece of the puzzle is missing, the fulfillment line comes to a grinding halt. Part of working out supply chain management requirements is to insure enough inventory to complete a particular order. This should also include “back-up” parts in case there is a failure of any piece. Now that the parts are ready and the staff is in place, the assembly line can begin. But supply chain logistics are still an active part of this line.
What happens when the product is built?
It needs to be appropriate fulfillment management, according to the orders. There will also need to be a “shadow crew” of maintenance workers standing by in the event that some part of the assembly line breaks down. Planning for this well in advance of it happening is crucial to the proper execution of supply chain logistics.
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