World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling

Warehousing continues to play a critical role in assuring high levels of customer service and overall logistics performance. Efficient warehousing can minimize the effects of supply chain inefficiencies; can improve logistics accuracy and inventory management; and can allow for product accumulation, consolidation, and customization. The cost of warehousing should be commensurate with the contribution of warehousing to overall logistics performance--typically between 2% and 5% of corporate revenue. In world-class warehousing these costs are minimized while also improving customer service. The principles and systems described in this book are common denominators of world-class warehousing. The principles have been developed over a decade of logistics research, education and consulting project experience. World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling can be used to develop a warehouse master plan to support the corporation's overall logistics strategy. In the second book in the Logistics Management Library, World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling will address: customization and countrification; information technology in warehousing; warehouse performance analysis; the role of the warehouse in the supply chain; warehouse expansion and contraction planning. World-Class Warehousing and Material Handling will integrate both global and e-commerce issues and examples throughout the text. The author's consulting and teaching experience places him in the position to draw on his wide experience to present numerous case studies and best practices throughout the book. In the end, this book will help the reader to develop a comprehensive warehouse strategy to reduce costs and increase quality.