Lean Distribution: Applying Lean Manufacturing to Distribution, Logistics, and Supply Chain shows lean companies how to link their lean initiative to their distribution planning. It shows how lean distribution practices simplify the distribution process and can generate big savings in costs.

Table of Contents

Preface. Acknowledgments. Chapter 1: Taking the Lean Approach. The Lean Change in Distribution. The RFID Change Dilemma. The Forecast Barrier. The Balancing Act. Business and Operational Plans. Forecast Accuracy. Another Approach. The Traffic Analogy. Improving Distribution Operations. Lean Paradigm Shifts. Book Approach and Contents. Lean Distribution Framework. Lean Distribution Transformation. Role of Information Technology. Applications for Lean Distribution. Summary. Chapter 2: Distribution Challenges. Customer Directions. Global Sourcing. Cost Reduction. Lean Streamlining. New Challenges? Functional Silos. Summary. Chapter 3: Optimizing Distribution. Distribution Sports Franchise Analogy. Optimizing Distribution. Technology Infrastructure. Lowering Production/Sourcing Costs. Improving Inventory Management. Maximizing Asset Utilization. Technology Directions. Summary. Chapter 4: IT Transforms Distribution Processes. Distribution Business Processes. ERP Transformation. Summary. Chapter 5: Lean Operating Capabilities. The Lean Approach. Managing Uncertainty with Lean. Lean and DRP: Collaboration. Lean-Enabled Collaboration. Summary. Chapter 6: Customer Service Policy. Customer Service Policy. Segmentation. Service Strategies. Summary. Chapter 7: Buffer Strategy. Buffer Strategy. Determine Service Strategies. Service Distinctions. Summary. Chapter 8: Replenishment Cycles. The Pipeline Approach. Replenishment Time. Delivered Cost. Summary. Chapter 9: Pull Approach. Pull Trigger. Replenishment Orders. Inventory Targets. Buffer Management. Summary. Chapter 10: Conclusion. The Simplicity Challenge. Planning Transformation. Lean Distribution Benefits. Selling the Lean Distribution Vision. Implementing Lean Distribution. Index.

About the Author

KIRK D. ZYLSTRA is an independent consultant specializing in supply chain and manufacturing operations transformation. He teaches operations management and supply chain part-time at the University of Washington Business School in Seattle, Washington. He is a retired partner of a major international consulting firm, where he served major manufacturing, distribution, and retail companies during his more than twenty years with the firm. He has been a featured speaker at the Institute of Industrial Engineers (IIE) and other conferences on supply chain and Lean manufacturing. For more information about Zylstra and Lean transformation, visit www.profit-chain.com.

Reviews

"...arguement it advances is that traditional forecast-driven approaches to supply chain management are inappropriate in today's turbulent markets." (Supply Management,, March 2006) "... would recommend it ...to understand ... fundamentals of making the transformation from a production "push" to a demand "pull" supply chain." (Supply Management, April 2006)