ARTICLE TITLE

Bowersox, Donald J., Carter, Philip L., Monczka, Robert M., "Materials logistics management", International Journal of Physical Distribution and Logistics Management, Vol. 23, No. 5, 1993, pp. 46-51.

 

ABSTRACT

A practical approach to managing the interfaces between purchasing, manufacturing and distribution drawn on a computer-based management system is presented. The Materials Logistics Management (MLM) Program has been developed to meet industry's requirement in this regard. MLM seeks the balanced achievement of 5 target objectives: 1. controlled customer service performance, 2. inventory reduction, 3. minimum variance, 4. minimum total cost of operations and procurement, and 5. product quality control. The essential concepts involved in an MLM Program are demand management, scheduled distribution, and postponement. If manufacturing is going to fulfill its role in the MLM process, interface is critical and must be based on master schedule management, just-in-time scheduling, and flexibility. If companies are going to obtain competitive advantage, coordination and appropriate cost trade-off analysis must occur throughout all aspects of the supply, manufacturing and distribution network.