Logistics
A wide range of well developed logistics mechanisms are necessary for the production and distribution of food products and pre-products. The supply of raw materials, primary products and packaging materials needs to be ensured while finished products need to be distributed via a number of different routes to manufacturers, retailers and end customers.
Individual producers tend to look at things from their own points of view and arrange their own logistics - here, this mainly takes the form of road haulage. By taking a step back and observing the situation, each company can be viewed as part of a network within the food industry. This is true for both the procurement side and the distribution side. For certain categories of goods, companies often have the same suppliers and they also deliver, at least in part, to the same customers (particularly retailers).
Combined Distribution Project
This is where the "combined distribution" project comes in. The project is being organized by foodRegio Lübeck, leading companies within foodRegio and the Lübeck University of Applied Sciences. Its aim is to determine the potential for combining distribution logistics among foodRegio companies and then to take the action necessary to initiate logistics cooperation schemes that will lead to cost reductions. Prof. Koch from the Lübeck University of Applied Sciences has already carried out an analysis for five participating companies within foodRegio and determined the potential for combined distribution among these companies. Prof. Koch presented the results of his analysis at the logistics forum "Best Practice in Logistics Networks" (Invitation) on 20 November in Lübeck.
1. Logistics Forum on 20 November 2006
On 20 November 2006, the Logistics Forum "Best Practice in Logistics Networks" (Invitation) gave companies and the academic world the chance to conduct a specialized dialogue. Presentations were made from the academic side and from the practical side, with information on current functioning examples of cooperation. Through five interesting and useful talks, the Logistics forum served as an effective platform for discussion about current and future developments in food industry logistics.
The five speakers were:
- Herr Prof. Dr. Uwe Koch von der Fachhochschule Lübeck,
- Herr Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claus C. Berg vom Institut für Logistik und Verkehrsmanagement aus Ruhr,
- Herr Gerhard Kamlage von der Overnight Tiefkühl-Service GmbH und der Konditorei Coppenrath und Wiese aus Osnabrück,
- Herr Martin Bocklage von Wetralog und der Westfleisch eG aus Münster sowie
- Herr Hans-Peter Meid von Pharmlog Phrama Logistik aus Bönen.
Speakers' presentation notes for these talks can be downloaded here:
- Prof. Dr. Uwe Koch: Potentiale einer gemeinsamen Distribution - Erste Ergebinsse einer aktuellen Untersuchung
- Univ.-Prof. Dr. Claus C. Berg: Chancen und Risiken von logistischen Kooperationen in der Lebensmittelbanche - Erfahrungen und Kooperationen im süddeustchen Bereich
- Herr Gerhard Kamlage: Organisation von Kooperationen
- Herr Hans-Peter Meid: Bündelung von Lagern und Distribution in der Branche - Kooperation trotz Wettbewerb - ein langfristiger Erfolg
- Herr Martin Bocklage: Qualität im Spannungsfeld zum Kostenmanagement in der Fleischlogistik am Beispiel der Wetralog GmbH (keine Verwendung von Präsentationsunterlagen)
