Facility Location Planning

Time Warner Books Creates a Showpiece for Distribution

January 1, 2004

Robert J. Bowman, Global Logistics & Supply Chain Strategies

Improvements in warehousing and transportation have created a profit center at the publisher's centralized distribution facility.

Levi Strauss Revamps Value-Channel Supply Chain to Keep Pace With Outlet Shoppers

August 1, 2001

Kurt C. Hoffman

As off-price stores moved upscale in recent years with the creation of attractive, shopper-friendly outlet malls, the demands of consumers and value retailers changed. Low prices were still expected, but shoppers also wanted a better selection of style and colors. To meet this need, Levi Strauss revamped its value-channel logistics.

Clarity Brought to Window Maker's Supply Chain

May 1, 2001

Kurt C. Hoffman

Unreliable advance planning in the building trades, multiple manufacturing sites and the fragile nature of its products were just some of the logistics challenges faced by Pella Corp. It needed a total set of logistics solutions throughout its widespread enterprise.

Hershey Kisses Its Supply-chain Inefficiency Good-bye

April 1, 2001

Kurt C. Hoffman

Rapid growth, acquisition of a company with different distribution characteristics and a troubled ERP implementation created supply-chain problems for Hershey Foods in the late 1990s. A new strategy that focused on fulfillment speed and agility helped turn things around.

Increased European Sales for Staples? Yeah, We've Got That

February 1, 2001

Robert J. Bowman

The pioneer of the office-products superstore has big plans to boost sales and market share in Europe by increasing stores, catalog orders, contract stationery business, and internet retailing. But it must balance growth with the challenge of a multi-channel supply chain.

Hitachi Data Moves to the Heartland for Faster Distribution

October 1, 2000

Kurt C. Hoffman

For 20 years, the high-end data storage system and server assembler had used DCs on each coast. But a self-imposed $1m penalty for unavailability of parts required a faster logistics network. Indianapolis was the answer.

Amazon.com Sees Supply-chain As Crucial To Its Future

September 1, 2000

Malcolm Wheatley

Key Amazon.com executives in Seattle and Europe - including founder Jeff Bezos - talk about how the company's supply-chain strategies and fledgling European operations are shaping its prospects.

Hamilton Beach Distribution Center Blends Great Location with High-tech Inventory Control

June 1, 1999

Kurt C. Hoffman

Working closely with consultant Kurt Salmon Associates, the appliance manufacturer decided that mixing its proprietary inventory management system with a new distribution center in Memphis was a recipe for success.

Frans Maas Keeps Parts Flowing to AutoEuropa

November 1, 1998

Robert J. Bowman

A thriving logistics partnership between Dutch frieght forwarder Frans Maas and a Portuguese auto plant is giving new meaning to the term "just in time."

Mikasa Redesigns Distribution To Match Retail Demands

September 1, 1998

Kurt C. Hoffman

To meet changing retailer requirements and sales growth demands, tableware designer Mikasa built a new, highly automated distribution center in Charleston, S.C., adopting an unusual design that conserves both energy and space.

Facility Location Planning

The latest news, analysis, services and systems for facility location planning and network design and their impact on global supply chains. Today’s companies are planning their location of facilities and the underlying transportation network in order to deliver goods in a more timely and efficient manner than ever before. New technologies are transforming the way companies search for and choose the right location for a facility in a region — allowing them to stay ahead of the competition in their industries. As these services continue to evolve, businesses are discovering new ways to increase efficiency and cut costs. Learn how companies are using facility location planning solutions to power their supply chains.