The document discusses factors that influence distribution network design for supply chains. It describes how distribution moves products from suppliers to customers and affects costs and customer experience. Distribution network performance is evaluated based on customer needs met and costs. The design must balance customer service metrics like response time, availability and order visibility with supply chain costs like inventory, transportation and facilities. Key distribution network options include direct shipping from manufacturers, distributor warehouses, and customer pickup locations. The choice of network has long-term consequences and is influenced by strategic, technological, economic and infrastructure considerations.

1. 1
Facility Decisions
Network Design in a Supply Chain

2. 2
The Role of Distribution
in the Supply Chain
Distribution: the steps taken to move and store a
product from the supplier stage to the customer
stage in a supply chain
Distribution directly affects cost and the customer
experience and therefore drives profitability
Choice of distribution network can achieve supply
chain objectives from low cost to high
responsiveness
Examples: Wal-Mart, Dell, Proctor & Gamble,
Grainger

3. 3
Factors Influencing
Distribution Network Design
Distribution network performance evaluated along
two dimensions at the highest level:
– Customer needs that are met
– Cost of meeting customer needs
Distribution network design options must
therefore be compared according to their impact
on customer service and the cost to provide this
level of service

4. 4
Factors Influencing
Distribution Network Design
Elements of customer service influenced by network
structure:
– Response time
– Product variety
– Product availability
– Customer experience
– Order visibility
– Returnability
Supply chain costs affected by network structure:
– Inventories
– Transportation
– Facilities and handling

5. 5
Service and Number of Facilities
(Fig. 4.1)
Number of
Facilities
Response Time

6. 6
Design Options for a
Distribution Network
Manufacturer Storage with Direct Shipping
Manufacturer Storage with Direct Shipping and
In-Transit Merge
Distributor Storage with Carrier Delivery
Distributor Storage with Last Mile Delivery
Manufacturer or Distributor Storage with
Consumer Pickup
Retail Storage with Consumer Pickup
Selecting a Distribution Network Design

7. 7
Manufacturer Storage with
Direct Shipping (Fig. 4.6)
Manufacturer
Retailer
Customers
Product Flow
Information Flow

8. 8
In-Transit Merge Network (Fig. 4.7)
Factories
Retailer
Product Flow
Information Flow
In-Transit Merge by
Carrier
Customers

9. 9
Distributor Storage with
Carrier Delivery (Fig. 4.8)
Factories
Customers
Product Flow
Information Flow
Warehouse Storage by
Distributor/Retailer

10. 10
Distributor Storage with
Last Mile Delivery (Fig. 4.9)
Factories
Customers
Product Flow
Information Flow
Distributor/Retailer
Warehouse

11. 11
Manufacturer or Distributor Storage with
Customer Pickup (Fig. 4.10)
Factories
Retailer
Pickup Sites
Product Flow
Information Flow
Cross Dock DC
Customer Flow
Customers

12. 12
Distribution Networks in Practice
The ownership structure of the distribution
network can have as big as an impact as the type
of distribution network
The choice of a distribution network has very
long-term consequences
Consider whether an exclusive distribution
strategy is advantageous
Product, price, commoditization, and criticality
have an impact on the type of distribution system
preferred by customers

13. 13
Network Design Decisions
Facility role
- flexibility of Toyota since 1997
Facility location
- Amazon.com : a single warehouse in Seattle
Capacity allocation
- Allocating too much  poor utilization
- Allocating too little  poor responsiveness, high cost
Market and supply allocation
- Amazon.com : built new warehouses due to grown markets

14. 14
Factors Influencing Network Design
Decisions
Strategic – Cost vs. Responsiveness
ex) Apparel producers, Convenience stores, Discount stores
Technological
– Economies of scale  few high-capacity locations
ex) Manufacturer of computer chips
– Lower fixed costs  many local facilities
ex) Bottling plants for Coca-Cola
Macroeconomic
– Tariffs, Tax incentives, Exchange rate and Demand risk
Political

15. 15
Factors Influencing Network Design
Decisions (continued)
Infrastructure
– availability of sites & labor
– proximity to transportation terminals, rail service, airports
and seaports
– highway access, congestion, local utilities
Competitive – Close vs. Far
ex) Retail stores in a mall, Supermarkets
Logistics and facility costs