E-Business Logistics and Operation ( Case study Analysis) Essay

E-Business Logistics and Operation ( Case study Analysis) - Essay Example the search for discovering advanced processes and techniques by which the total production process, starting from the collection of raw materials to the delivery of finished products, can be made cost–effective. To remain competitive and retain its market position in the competitive global scenario, the company is searching for suitable production processes which would enable them to offer cost-effective products to their customers. To achieve this end, the company is relentlessly making efforts to minimise the production costs, resulting from huge lead times, excess inventory or inability to strike a balance between supply and demand of the market. The company mainly serves three types of customers- the industrial sector, the DIY retailers and the timber merchants. The main objective of the present supply chain network was to minimise the lead times in the total production process thereby reducing the chances of producing waste products. This would help the company to control its production costs and minimise the costs incurred in eliminating production bottlenecks, which would indirectly facilitate the company to meet the customer demands on-time. Primary or the initial stage of manufacturing: The wood collected from these forests is then transported to sawmills situated in Finland. In these sawmills, the wood is processed into timber which is required for manufacturing their end products. Second stage of manufacturing (‘Secondary Manufacturing’): Timber is then transported to UK through sea route. In UK, this timber is then worked upon according to the client specifications and is converted into finished products (Chapman P., et.al, 2001). Warehouses or factory storage spaces: This is the place where the finished products are ultimately stored before being delivered to the retailers. The items are dispatched, according to the demand from the retailers. According to the survey conducted to get a clear picture about the lead time taken by a particular