Reference no: EM132784884

FASH1139 - Logistics Newsletter

Starting a new business or expanding an existing one in today's highly competitive and cost- conscious marketplace is a complex and risky endeavour. Many business details are logistics- related, as a business does not exist without logistics- which can make the difference between being profitable or not. The goal of this paper is to gain an understanding of the role of logistics and supply chain management decisions in improving the operation and profitability of a company by directly applying contemporary logistics principles covered in the course to a business.

For this assignment, you are the new Vice-President of Logistics for a small-medium sized company based in Canada. The company can be involved in any aspect of the fashion industry: manufacturing, wholesale/distribution, retail etc. The company is experiencing issues in their existing logistics system and you have been tasked with identifying strategies critical to the improving the company's logistics system and reducing the company's carbon footprint.

Write a Newsletter that will be distributed to company employees and select customers. In the Newsletter (parts 2 & 3), you will write two main articles that describe the issues and subsequent improvements you have made in the logistics/supply chain management for your company. Your goal is to improve the efficiency within the chosen logistical activities to increase profits and customer responsiveness while reducing costs and the company's carbon footprint. You must be as detailed as possible. Research is required.

You will describe your product and how you will apply the chosen strategy to make your company as profitable as possible, while still retaining your company goals (e.g., style, environmentally friendly, targeting a specific age group, price point etc.) and your competitive strategy (focus, differentiation, or cost leadership). Remember to focus on logistics. You will have to be detailed, especially regarding factors that involve numbers, such as time and cost. The strategy must be applicable to your product and company goals (in other words, do not say you will purchase a $2 million transportation software program if you are selling inexpensive t- shirts in one location only).

The company is fictional, but the logistical issues and appropriate solutions covered in your proposed strategy must be realistic and applicable to the apparel industry. Research is required.

You may choose to use a software application to improve the logistical activity of the company. If you do, the software application must be related to a logistics process, such as transportation, warehousing, inventory etc. - i.e. the topics covered in this course. It cannot be related to other areas, for example, retail- do not write about an application in price optimization, product development or other non-logistics areas. And write about implementing Microsoft Office software such as Word, Excel, or Access for example. Also, general technology such as RFID does not count. The software application must be from a real software provider- you cannot make up the software. Research is required. You will describe how implementing the specific software has improved the logistical activity in your company.

The paper is worth 30% of your final grade and will be submitted in three sections throughout the semester, on the dates indicated. All parts will be graded as indicated below.

A brief description of:

• Your company (size, location, number of employees, target market/customer profile, general competitive strategy etc.)
• The company's supply chain showing the main partners as well as lead times
• Your product- price point, special features if applicable etc. Why you choose that product.
• Describe your supply chain (direct, extended, or ultimate), identifying key partners, and the logical flow of product across the supply chain with lead times.
• Describe the competitive strategy (cost leadership, differentiation, or focus/niche) being implemented to achieve the desired level of responsiveness and efficiency.
• Describe the issues company is experiencing with its current logistics system
• Explain the role of logistics in your company's ability to achieve its overall competitive strategy
• Support your choices with relevant data and appropriate logistical principles and concepts