How are containers used in multimodal shipping solutions and in what three types of transportation are containers used?
How can warehousing by a supplier reduce lead time in a customer’s supply chain?
Why might an American firm decide to be an exporter rather than globalizing? What tradeoff does exporting have that might lead the firm toward globalizing instead?
How does a lack of coordination among business partners and the bullwhip effect influence transportation costs?
What disruptions to a global supply chain does infrastructure have in developing countries?
What financial benefit could an American firm receive in the supply chain by sourcing materials and components from foreign suppliers?
FarmPro manufacturers agricultural machinery it sells throughout the world. Its machines begin at $200,000 and can go as high as $750,000. FarmPro has begun engaging overseas partners for collaboration across all its supply chain activities. In particular, FarmPro would like to find a European partner that could manufacture the machinery, but only if it could do so at a better value than FarmPro’s current costs. If FarmPro were revising its sourcing strategy, what benefit to its supply chain would FarmPro receive from design collaboration and coordination?
How does the physical environment factor into decisions by American companies regarding whether to locate facilities in foreign countries?
PartsPro sells tools and related items to auto parts retailers throughout the United States from a central distribution center in Iowa. PartsPro’s three largest customers, one located in Oregon, one located in Florida and one located in Texas, have each demanded shorter response time for orders. PartsPro cannot manufacture any more quickly than it already does; the only way it can shorten response time is by opening new distribution centers near its three largest customers. Under what circumstance should PartsPro add these new facilities?
What can be the impact on a manufacturer’s supply chain if another entity owns the distribution network?
Where does cycle stock exist in a firm’s supply chain?
Identify one effect building partnerships with suppliers has on value to customers beyond lower pricing resulting from savings along the supply chain.
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