Wal-Mart Supply Chain
TLMT 352 Distribution Systems
Joshua Wells
Professor Craig Magee
Nov 12, 2015

Abstract

In this writing assignment you read about why Wal-Mart has become the leader in supply chain. It will let you know some of things that Wal-Mart has done to change distribution. Wal-Mart has dominated the supply chain in the United States and this will show some of the things they have changed to help other companies change their ways to follow in the foot-steps of Wal-Mart.

Wal-Mart has grown so much in the past years, it is amazing to see their products being made from over 70 countries and they are operating over 11,000 stores in over 27 countries worldwide. Wal-Mart has grown to become the leader in supply chain. They are constantly trying to find ways to help consumers to save money. If a person is able to get a product somewhere cheaper, they will match their price and you will be able to still get the same product. The things Wal-Mart had innovated to help it become the leader in the supply chain started way back in the 1980s. Wal-Mart decided to cut out some middle men and work directly with the manufacturers and by doing this it helped cut costs and was more efficient. Wal-Mart had manufacturers use a system that was called a Vendor Managed Inventory and this would make it so the manufacturers would be responsible for being able to get their products to the Walmart warehouses. By doing this they were able to have the total control of order fulfilment on merchandise. The manufacturers would deliver this product to the Walmart warehouse and then Walmart would cross dock the product and deliver it to the Walmart stores. This helped Walmart being able to keep inventory costs down and reduce the transportation time, and even help eliminate inefficiencies. Walmart even brought technology into the mix, because we are a technology