Transportation, Distribution, Storage, and Warehousing Technologies: Problems and Solutions

Part I: 

Transportation Regulations and Policies 

Goal 

The primary objective is to incorporate the firm’s transportation policy and regulation with EU and China in order to expand the business globally and distribute the commodities from future EU and Chinese regions. The company will be able to lower cost of steady oversea transportations and at the same time help in fast delivery time and customer satisfaction. The aim of the EU policy is to develop common marketplaces for competitive pricing commodity delivery. 

Explain the relevance 

Based on the fact that the EU is established as a typical marketplace, transportation policies make it significantly easier to shift commodities across the union. Based on this plan, the union members have jointly determined to deregulate the costs and methods of transportation. 

National security 

China is one of the most stable states with existing regulations while the EU is working in collaboration with other corporations to enhance both public and domestic safety. Additionally, regulation exists with standard safeguards for the products that are imported from nations beyond the EU ( Dobruszkes, 2011). 

Public Safety 

It has been shown that the EU will have both safety and security standards that will facilitate business operation in the country. Further, they will also fund some of the new projects which strictly follow the established standards ( Dobruszkes, 2011). 

Environment 

Within the EU, the commodities imported into the nation have to meet their environmental regulations with the aim of protecting the consumers and the environment ( Dobruszkes, 2011). They are currently working towards various types of mobility that will significantly allow for efficiency, sustainable and respectful way to consumers and the environment. Additionally, measures are in place to combine different transportation modes within the similar chain that would be less polluting and highly efficient particularly for long distance transportation. 

Unrestrained competition 

Research has it that this might cause significant irregularities in both freight and customers and the process makes the entire marketplace less stable for the company. Therefore, to alleviate these issues, the railroad companies started to work together through setting the fares and at the same time agreeing on the prices jointly. 

Part II: 

Transportation Methodologies 

Locomotive transport 

In the year 1830, Peter Cooper developed the first ever Steam powered locomotive. The primary aim was to transport freight and passengers. During this time, individuals were much overwhelmed with its highest velocity of approximately ( Dobruszkes, 2011 ). Around 1935, road network was constructed regionally for both freight and passengers. In the year 1950, the US developed more railway networks than any other state. The railroad industries substantially transformed how individuals moved and transported products in the US. 

Economic viability 

The rail network linked major metropolis and countries hence allowing both goods and individuals to move quickly. It helped in cutting down the time required to travel to a few days. Arguably, the train considered as a boost to various emerging cities since it enabled individuals to travel to socialize and workplace in other major towns. Studies have shown that the easiness of travelling allowed better freight and goods distribution. The producers were able to access raw materials much quickly and cheaply than by water. 

Practical use 

The New railroad was also a massive supplier of employment opportunities for many people. Research has it that railway was highly fundamental throughout the Civil War. The Confederate armies and Union utilized trains for logistics. The train thus impacted the society and the economy most positively through stimulating economic growth, creation of employment and at the improved the modes of traveling ( Dobruszkes, 2011). 

Applications in domestic and global markets 

In the contemporary world, the trains are used for transportation both in the global and domestic markets. They are used for transportation of people and freights throughout America. The transportation of freight by train has been associated with different benefits including, their logistical costs are much cheaper ( Dobruszkes, 2011). Secondly, the train is suitable for transportation because it can carry a large amount of freights uses less gas compared to fleets of trucks. The level of pollution concerning oil spillage and noise pollution is much lower for the trains compared to a fleet of trucks. 

Part III:

Warehousing and Distribution 

Principles 

Studies have shown that the industry and the market for warehousing are rapidly widening with increased consumer demand for the electronic gadgets like laptops and mobile phones. It is evident that international warehousing will facilitate expansion of business leading to competitive advantage ( Qualities to look for in a Warehouse Management System, 2017). The improved supply chain in addition to increased competition has further created more demand for logistical concepts from the industry’s leaders. Evidently, outsourcing has substantially altered the manner in which businesses are carried out in the US. As a result of this, it has complicated the way in which supply chain management conducts business in support of such changes. The channels of distributions comprise of diverse levels like the manufacturer to consumers, manufacturer to the retailers or even manufacturers to the intermediaries of large corporations. 

Design 

A suitable and efficient warehouse and distribution layout centers will offer a smooth flow for commodities to enter into the store, move swiftly within and quickly be obtained during shipping out. It would be important that the layout is designed in such a way to accommodate the inventory size to be held within the lowest congestion amount with moving parts ( Qualities to look for in a Warehouse Management System, 2017). 

Storage and handling 

For an efficient storage and handling of commodities, it would be critical to ensure that the facility has enough size. It would help in facilitating the flow of products inside and outside the warehouse. Further, the warehouse’s size will vary depending on the concentration of activities and the available spaces for secure stock. Additionally, it would be critical to consider the financial forecasting to avoid potential changes to clients and to increase or decreasing inventory ( Qualities to look for in a Warehouse Management System, 2017). 

Information Systems and IT 

There is the need to adopt automated storage systems to offer an efficient customer services and enhance their supply chain. Mounting rivalry has further demanded some innovative logistical concepts from leaders in the industries ( Qualities to look for in a Warehouse Management System, 2017). The use of warehousing management system to lower loss and waste of commodities is critical since it will offer an oversight of the inventory management. The system will utilize a portable held device in tracking the product amount, shelf life, serial number and even place. It is clear that the system will offer precision and proficiency in increasing productivity in the workforce distribution. 

Third-Party Logistics Provider (3PL) 

With massive changes in the supply chain, the effect of the global market can significantly influence the international shipment ( Qualities to look for in a Warehouse Management System, 2017). Utilization of the 3PL for an additional service will help in warehousing commodities or even transportation usage for both domestic and international shipment. As a result of high fuel cost, there is the need to establish a transportation management system since the costs will depend on the warehouse funds. Moving commodities will add to the supply chain complexity from manufacturers’ warehouse retailers. The use of 3PL for additional revenues such as the intermodal transportations will lead into faster delivery at a lower cost to consumers. 

Part IV: 

Inventory Management 

Inventory function for intermediate and final product 

The company should focus on the inventory services for the middle and final product. It is also important that they receive products into their warehouse through RIFD scan guns. The products should be placed in a proper storage location until it the right time to send them to consumers ( Types of Packaging for Your Different Business Needs, 2017). Further, they should incorporate a system which will enable them to find their inventory much quicker upon picking. Using this system, the firm will make sure that their inventories are picked from the right location and put away in the most appropriate place. 

Packaging technique 

It is important to consider a type of packaging which will be used in shipping the commodities to the warehouses from the US. Crates and Pallets can also be adapted to function as an extra wrapping and aid in helping to keep the commodities safe throughout the transportation period, and the pallets will contribute to keeping the products off the floor of an actual shipping container ( Types of Packaging for Your Different Business Needs, 2017). A shrink wrap would also be critical as a packaging technique useful when shipping commodities. It would help to hold more than one product together to ensure that they are much easier to move. A vacuum packaging will also be important in keeping products sealed. Shock Mount wrapping will be suitable for fragile products to enhance safety since it has inbuilt shock absorption. 

Part V: Future Opportunities 

In the event the company considers utilizing the 3PL for the primary warehousing and distribution needs, then it would follow that the possibilities for them to expand to any other state in China and EU would be easily achieved. The warehousing and distribution method would allow the firm adequate time to be an established business in the nations. The company can further determine whether building the warehouse is cost effective. Time delivery to a warehouse on the inbound freight and timely delivery from the warehouse to customers will help in attracting new customers particularly in a situation where the current clients are happy and contribute to determining whether the use of 3PL would be successful. 

References 

Dobruszkes, F. (2011). High-speed rail and air transport competition in Western Europe: A supply-oriented perspective. Transport policy , 18 (6), 870-879. 

Types of Packaging for Your Different Business Needs. (2017). Retrieved from 

http://www.business2community.com/strategy/5-types-packaging-different-business- needs-0969922#4tF9YCGH2KKjQqa1.97 

Qualities To Look For in a Warehouse Management System. (2017). Retrieved from 

http://www.pathguide.com/Company/News/Press/TherightWMS.aspx