Chapter 10

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 1. If the flow of materials is properly co-coordinated there is no need for stock and, therefore, no need for warehouses. When do you think that warehouses will disappear from the supply chain? 2. Warehouses used to be places where goods were stored, often for long periods, until they were needed. A more recent view has warehouses as places where loads are reorganized on their journey through the supply chain. Do you think this is a real difference? If it is, what effect does this have on warehouse operations?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 3. Many organizations are using specialist third party suppliers for warehousing. What are the benefits of this? What are the different types of arrangement for third party warehousing? 4. Why is the layout of warehouses important? Supermarkets are really one type of warehouse, so the same factors will be important in each. Is this true?

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS 5. Automation is bound to give the most efficient warehouses, so everyone should move in this direction. Will all warehouses eventually be automated? 6. We are often told that packaging is a major problem for waste disposal. Why is there so much packaging, and how can the amount be reduced?