ARTICLE TITLE

Bowersox, Donald J., Carter, Philip L., Monczka, Robert M., "Materials Logistics Management", International Journal of Physical Distribution and Materials Management, Vol. 15, No. 5, 1985, pp. 27-33.

 

ABSTRACT

In 1980, the Graduate School of Business Administration at Michigan State University developed the computer-based Materials Logistics Management Program (MLM) for managing the interfaces between physical distribution, manufacturing, and purchasing. MLM seeks the balanced achievement of 5 target objectives: 1. controlled customer service performance, 2. inventory reduction, 3. minimum variance, 4. minimum total cost, and 5. product quality control. The critical interfaces of physical distribution are those with customers and manufacturing. Three concepts are capable of contributing to MLM productivity: demand management, scheduled distribution, and postponement. For manufacturing, which interfaces between distribution and purchasing, the concepts of master schedule management, just-in-time scheduling, and flexibility are important. The concepts of supply management, schedule, and responsiveness are basic to integrating purchasing into the process. Increased use of computer-based information will be required to achieve the target objectives.