Inbound Logistics’ 2010 Summer Reading Guide

<em>Inbound Logistics’</em> 2010 Summer Reading Guide<br />

Grab one of these knowledge-boosting supply chain and logistics volumes as you head for the hammock. Then when colleagues ask how you spent your summer vacation, you can share your new insights.

Supply Chain Planning for the Process Industry

By Harpal Singh, PhD

Process manufacturing, in which formulas and recipes are turned into product, represents a different set of supply chain concerns than discrete manufacturing’s bills of materials and routing. This book outlines the key characteristics of process manufacturing, and the tools required to support demand and supply planning, material flow conservation, and scheduling. Examples provide an in-depth look at the chemical, food, and semiconductor industries.

Key Takeaways: Process manufacturing’s unique characteristics require specialized supply chain solutions that can cope with managing material delivery and capacity utilization simultaneously.


For Details: www.supplychain.com

Remanufacturing as a Supply Chain Strategy: Business Models and Case Studies

By Pinar Martin

Manufacturers are increasingly urged to reduce waste and establish sustainable manufacturing practices. Companies that manage their closed-loop supply chains by taking advantage of returned products have the potential to make waste reduction profitable. But as closed-loop supply chains evolved swiftly, and the value trapped in products increased dramatically, managers lacked the resources to create successful remanufacturing business models. To guide companies in planning closed-loop supply chains, the author provides a business model developed through extensive data analysis and scientific research. Business model examples from Fortune 100 companies offer real-world perspective.

Key Takeaways: Managers will find the relationship between brand capital, intellectual property and assets, and the decision to outsource intriguing. Case studies conducted at companies such as Bosch, Hewlett-Packard, and Xerox provide valuable learning opportunities.

For Details: www.vdm-publishing.com

Operations Rules: Delivering Customer Value Through Flexible Operations

By David Simchi-Levi

Companies tend to consider the value they provide to customers and operations strategies as two separate processes. Many real-world examples, however, illustrate the need to link the two, and failure to do so can be disastrous, claims Simchi-Levi, a professor of engineering systems at MIT. In Operations Rules, he gives business leaders the tools to understand how to improve operations via a new customer-value perspective.

Key Takeaways: Managers and executives can address strategy misalignments by making small-scale operations adjustments that can deliver big results. They must weigh their options, however, because operational and supply chain strategies, the market channel, and even the skill sets required to be successful, depend on the value a company intends to deliver.

For Details: mitpress.mit.edu

Green Logistics: Improving the Environmental Sustainability of Logistics

Edited By Alan McKinnon, Sharon Cullinane, Michael Browne, and Anthony Whiteing

Green Logistics analyzes the environmental consequences of logistics and how to address them. Written by a leading team of logistics academics, the book examines ways of reducing environmental impacts and achieving a more sustainable balance among economic, green, and social objectives. It examines key areas such as supply chain carbon auditing; transferring freight to greener transport modes; developing greener vehicles, aircraft, and ships; reducing warehousing’s environmental impact; and the government’s role in promoting sustainable logistics.

Key Takeaways: As concern for the environment grows, companies must pay more attention to the external costs of logistics associated with climate change, air pollution, noise, vibration, and accidents.

For Details: www.koganpageusa.com

The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management

By Alan Rushton, Phil Croucher, and Peter Baker

Now in its fourth edition, this comprehensive guide covers the full scope of logistics and distribution, providing a broad strategic framework for planning, as well as a clear and straightforward description of the basic functions and elements. This book will help any logistics manager’s quest to improve service and reduce cost, and keep them aware of the many different facets of logistics and the supply chain. It should be of interest to practicing managers and supervisors, to candidates taking tests for various professional institutes, and to students who are studying for degrees in logistics, distribution, and supply chain management.

Key Takeaways: This definitive handbook clearly explains the concepts of logistics and distribution; planning; procurement and inventory decisions; warehousing and storage; freight transport; and operational management.

For Details: www.koganpageusa.com

The New Supply Chain Agenda: The Five Steps That Drive Real Value

By Reuben E. Slone, J. Paul Dittmann, and John T. Mentzer

In most companies, the supply chain controls a majority of the inventory, manages 60 percent to 70 percent of the cost, is the foundation to generate revenue by providing outstanding product availability, and manages most of the firm’s physical assets. Then why is supply chain excellence the most underutilized competitive tool? The authors explain how organizations can turn their supply chains into competitive weapons.

Key Takeaways: By eliminating disruptions, ramping up efficiencies, and upgrading performance along the supply chain, companies can vastly improve economic profit and boost shareholder value.

For Details: www.hbr.org/books

Supply Chain Security: Management, Initiatives, and Technologies

By TT Club Mutual Insurance and the International Cargo Handling and Co-ordination Association

This publication defines security principles in the supply chain and guides supply chain operators on how to enhance value through effective security implementation. It provides an overview of current security initiatives and technologies, but is centered on the premise that the ISO 28000:2007 management standard offers a valuable framework for implementation.

Key Takeaways: Security need not be seen as an unnecessary drain on resources, and can actually provide a significant contribution to the bottom line.

For Details: www.ttclub.com or www.ichca.org

Global Logistics: New Directions in Supply Chain Management

Edited by Donald Waters

This established reference, completely rewritten for its sixth edition, has evolved to represent the current trends, best practices, and latest thinking in global logistics. Its contributors, a range of acknowledged sector specialists, discuss key logistics issues and share their authoritative views on topics such as logistics in China, and Central and Eastern Europe; communications and technology improvement; humanitarian supply chains; Internet trading; agile supply chains; and performance measurement.

Key Takeaways: Communications and information technology are offering new opportunities; world trade is growing; competition is forcing operations to adopt new practices and become more efficient; and there is increasing concern for the environment. Add to this the increased emphasis on customer satisfaction, flexible operations, and time compression, and it becomes clear why it is so important for organizations to do logistics right.

For Details: www.koganpageusa.com

The New Science of Retailing: How Analytics are Transforming the Supply Chain and Improving Performance

By Marshall Fisher and Ananth Raman

Harvard Business School professors Marshall Fisher and Ananth Raman explain how retailers can use analytics to better manage inventory for faster turns, fewer discounted offerings, and fatter profit margins. Featuring case studies of leading retail companies from around the world, this practical new book shows retailers how to build end-to-end agility into the supply chain and establish incentives that align supply chain partners behind shared objectives.

Key Takeaways: Retailers today are drowning in data but lacking in insight. They have huge volumes of information at their disposal, but they are unsure of how to sort through it and use it to make smart decisions. As a result, they are struggling with profit-sapping supply chain problems including stockouts, overstocks, and discounting. With the right tools, they can turn data into a wellspring of new profits and unprecedented efficiency.  

For Details: hbsp.harvard.edu

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