Total Logistics Costs Tradeoff
Total logistics costs consider the whole range of costs associated with logistics, which includes transport and warehousing costs, but also inventory carrying, administration and order processing costs. Administration and order processing costs are relative to the total volume being handled. However, for the same volume being handled transport and warehousing costs will vary according to the distribution strategies being adopted. The above graph portrays a simple relationship between total logistics costs and two important cost components; transport and warehousing. Based upon the growth in the shipment size (economies of scale) or the number of warehouses (lower distances) a balancing act takes place between transport costs and warehousing (inventory carrying) costs. There is a cutting point representing the lowest total logistics costs, implying an optimal shipment size or number of warehouses for a a specific freight distribution system. Finding such a balance is a common goal in logistical operations and will depend on numerous factors such as if the good is perishable, the required lead time and the market density.
Source: adapted from McKinnon, A. "The Effects of Transport Investment on Logistical Efficiency", Logistics Research Centre, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMSsh, Inc. / HWD & Grubb & Ellis Global Logistics.THE GEOGRAPHY OF TRANSPORT SYSTEMS
Freight forwarding operations do not involve only the transportation of goods from one place to another but many other things like customs clearance, short-term storage, and management of products.
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