dabbawala case study

1. Dabbawala-The SCM of Lunchboxes
The dabbawalaSCMis one of the bestSCM inthe world.Itgot itsname from the people
(dabbawalas) tosupplyMumbai office goersdabbas (lunchboxes) containinghome cookedatlunch
time. Dailythe dabbawalascollectfreshlycookedfoodpackedinlunchboxesfromthe homesof
theiroffice goersclients andsupplythe boxesto theirofficesatlunch time. The lunch over, empty
lunchboxesare collectedfromthe officesandreturnedtothe homesfromwhere theyare collected
fewhoursago. Insome cases, the lunchbox packingisdone bythe caterers.
The dabbawalasupplychainisrun bybarelyliterate serviceproviderswhotransportlunchboxes
usingtrains, cyclesand handcarts. The Mumbai dabbawalamove over2, 00,000 lunchboxesdaily
witha very,very highrate of accuracy. That is whythe dabbawalasupplychainisconsideredone of
the most reliable supplychaininthe world. Ithasbeenawardedsix sigma. Six sigmaoperationstand
for 99.9999% accuracy, registeringonly3.44errors inone milliontransactions.The dabbawala
succeededinachievingsix sigmaaccuracydue to their well-designedandwell executedSCM.
The dabbawalaSCM flowhas beendesignedforcollectionof the lunchboxes, theirtransportation
and delivery destinationofficesandforthe reverse flow of emptyboxes.The lunchboxesare
markedwiththe codeswhichhelpdeliveryboysknow relevantoffice andhome addresses.the lunch
boxesare collectedfromthe housesorcaterersscatteredoveralarge area and taken to the nearest
collectionpoint. The lunchboxesare thendividedintogroupsbasedonthe local trainstation i.e.
nearesttothe destinationoffice.The groupedlunchboxesare transportedtothe destinationstation
throughlocal trains.At each station, the groupsof lunchboxestotheirdestinationofficesusing
bicycle orhandcart or throughwalking.The reverse flow of emptylunchboxespassesthroughthe
same network.The highlyefficientdabbawalasupplychainnetworkprovidesaservice of veryhigh
qualityata verylowcostof operationsresultingintodelightedcustomersandhappyemployees.

2. Question
1. Discuss the product flowin the dabbawala supplychain network.
Answer–
 8.30-9.00 am
Reportfor workat Kurla(stationof origin).
 9.00-10.00 am
Pick-updabbasfromhomes.
 10.00-10.30 am
Both groupscongregate at Kurlawithdabbasand sortbasedon destination station.
 10.30 - 10.45 am
Board trainswithdabbaseitherinwoodencratesorin hand.
 10.45-11.30 am
Travel by trainsto Chhatrapati Shivaji Terminus(CST;erstwhile VictoriaTerminus) station
 11.30-12.00 pm
Thisstage,the unloadingtakesplace atthe destinationstation Rearrangementof tiffins
takesplace as perthe destinationareaand destinationbuilding.
 12.00-1.00 pm
DeliverytoofficesatandaroundBallardEstate.!
 1.00-1.30 pm
Lunch time forthe dabbawalas.
 1.30-2.30 pm
Here on beginsthe collectionprocesswhere the dabbawalashave topickupthe tiffinsfrom
the officeswhere theyhaddeliveredalmostanhourago.
RETURN JOURNEY
 2.40-3.30 pm
Train ride backto stationof origin(Kurla).
 3.30-4:00 pm
Sort the dabbasat the stationof origin(Kurla).
 4.00-5.00 pm
Returnthe dabbas tohomes
Product flow
pick up
dabba from
caterer
journey in
local train
unloading
and sorting
deliveryto
customer
collection of
empty
dabba
sorting
returning
dabba to
caterer

3. 2. What are the transport means usedfor product supplyby the dabbawalas?
Answer–
Transport meansusedforproductsupplybythe dabbawalasare-
a) Train
b) Bicycle
c) Handcart
FACTS OF DABBA WALA LUNCH BOX CASE –
 Food is taken from home or mess and is
delivered at office.
 Zero % fuel.
 Zero % modern technology.
 Zero % investment.
 Zero % disputes.
 99.9999% performance.
 100 % customer satisfaction.