Free Essay

Supply Chain Mgt

In:

Submitted By ankushangural
Words 2693
Pages 11
3/20/2012 |

| Strategic Management Project Report |

Table of Contents Executive Summary 4 Introduction 5 The Company 6 Corporate Social Responsibility 7 Adoption of a Primary School 7 Health Check-Up Camp 7 Product Portfolio 8 FIBC Jumbo Bags 8 Geo Textile Fabrics and Ground Covers 8 Reverse Printed BOPP Bags 8 Special PP bags and Leno bags 8 Proposed Projects 9 Polymer Compounding 9 Injection Moulded Articles 9 The Present Strategy 9 Business Model 9 Strengths 9 Weaknesses 10 Value Chain – Operations 10 Distribution 10 Sales and Marketing 11 FIBC (Export) 11 FIBC (Domestic) 11 Geo Textile Fabric and Ground Cover 11 Reverse-Printed BOPP Bags 11 Research and Development 12 Business Strategy 12 Core Competence 12 New Products 12 Diversified Applications 12 In House Research and Development 12 Connecting with End Customer 12 Corporate Strategy 13 Corporate Structure 13 References 14

Executive Summary

Introduction
In this report we present an analysis of Flexituff International Ltd from a strategic management standpoint. Starting from the company vision, mission and values statements, we have perform an analysis of their internal and external environments. We have studied their value chain and identified their key success factors.
The industry analysis also reveals the key strengths and weaknesses of Flexituff International Ltd. We have also studied their organizational structure and its effect on the company’s strategic operations. Furthermore, value drivers for Flexituff International have been identified that leads us to their business level strategy, their international market footprint and expansion plans leads us to their corporate level strategy. Supplementary independent strategies of growth via alliances and partnerships, and mergers and acquisitions have also been analyzed.
The purpose of this project has been to implement the concepts of strategic management studied in the course content to a real life company and identify potential bottlenecks or problems that might hinder the implementation of the strategy.
Primary data and information regarding Flexituff International Ltd. was collected via interviews of Mr. Atul Asawa, Vice President, Kashipur Plant, Flexituff International Ltd.
Secondary data sources such as the company website and The Red Herring Prospectus for Flexituff International Ltd. have also been used extensively.
Table of common terms used. Term | Description | AIPMA | The All India Plastics Manufacturers Association | BMI | Business International Monitor | BOPP | Biaxially Oriented Polypropylene | CFM | Cubic Feet per Minute | DTA | Domestic Tariff Area | FIBC | Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers | GMP | Good Manufacturing Practice | HDPE | High Density Polyethylene | HIPS | High Impact Polystyrene | IFIBCA | Indian Flexible Intermediate Bulk Container Association | ISI | Indian Standards Institute | LLDPE | Linear low-density polyethylene | LDPE | Low-density polyethylene |

The Company
Flexituff International (FIL) promoted by Kalani Industries Pvt. Ltd., Miscellani Global Pvt. Ltd. and Sanovi Trading Pvt. Ltd., is a multi-product company engaged in the business of manufacturing polymer products like flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), reverse printed BOPP woven bags, special PP bags and leno bags, geo-textile fabrics and cround covers. These products are manufactured at three manufacturing units located in Pithampur (Madhya Pradesh) and Kashipur (Uttrakhand). It has a current capacity of 48,500 million tones (m) and proposes to expand the same to 70,311 mt by next fiscal.

The company exports to around 30 countries across the globe and present in four continents with major thrust of exports being to US and Europe. The packaging products cater to various sectors like FMCG, agro products, pharmaceuticals, retail, fertilizers, cement, and minerals. Its geo-textile products find applications in the infrastructure sector. Its marquee clientele on the domestic front includes likes of HUL, Ultratech Cement, JSPL, Zuari Rotem, Chambal Fertilizers, Nagarjuna Fertilizers, and Dhampur Sugar Mills and overseas clientele includes intermediaries catering to end users, many of which are Fortune 500 companies like LG Dow and Eastman Chemicals.

Product Portfolio

FIBC Jumbo Bags
Jumbo bags are giant size bags in drum or box shape and are internationally known as Bulk bags or Big bags or Flexible Intermediate Bulk Containers. These bags are made out of high tenacity UV stabilized Nylon or Polypropylene or HDPE fabric with four corner loops for easy handling at all points. The capacities of these bags range from 0.5 MT to 2 MT depending on the bulk density of the material.
FIBCs have a very vast use. It is mainly used as a labour-saving device by various industries to package materials in bulk and enables mechanical handling. Thus, various products right from sand and waste products, aggregates, cement, chemicals, minerals, food products, grains, cereals, fruits, vegetables, beans, sugar, salt, plastic, carbon, fertilizer etc are being packed in various kinds of FIBCs.
Geo Textile Fabrics and Ground Covers
These are special woven polypropylene fabrics with properties to ensure passage to measured quantity of water or soil particles and having the desired strength. The use and construction of the fabric is technical and is manufactured following stringent procedures. These products are used for prevention of soil erosion, soil separation, strengthening of underlay of roads and for prevention of land slides, river bank protection etc. This product enables the separation of the subsoil from the road aggregates, reduces the crust thickness, improves the performance of the road for longevity and prevents soil fines from pumping up through road aggregates. FIL has a manufacturing capacity of approximately 1,600 MT of this product per annum.
Reverse Printed BOPP Bags
These bags are small polypropylene woven bags which have been laminated with a reverse printed BOPP film. The bag is made of PP woven fabric laminated with printed BOPP film on the outer surface. The BOPP film is printed with roto gravure printing technology and could be printed up to 9 colors, covering all graphics, picture and any type of fonts.
They are used for packing products which weigh between 5 to 50 kg such as rice, flour, sugar, animal feed, fertilizers, special chemicals, etc. They are usually used for packing products which are sold in the retail market.
Special PP bags and Leno bags
These bags are made out of polypropylene woven fabric made from circular looms as a tube thereby reducingstitching needs. We manufacture this product for niche industries like builder bag industry, soya industry, sugar industry meeting their specific requirements. We manufacture leno bags which are used for packaging of agro products. These bags are made out of mesh fabric made on special looms which create a mesh-locking effect and allows a bag to retain its shape in spite of gaps in weaving. The gaps in the weave allow air to go through bag to avoid germination and rotting of agro products.
Proposed Projects
Polymer Compounding
Compounding refers to blending of polymers and various additives to make a consistent homogenous mixture which can be directly used to produce a specific product or to be added in a fixed percent in polymers as a master batch. An installed machinery to produce 10,000 MT of various compounds at Kashipur.
The main thrust would be given to high growth areas like drip irrigation compounds and specially developed compounds. Some of the key end user industries of polymer compounding products are automobile, appliances, wires and cables etc.
Injection Moulded Articles
At present, at Kashipur, FIL has started trial production for pallets, crates, boxes and other industrial / domestic injection moulded articles. As part of the expansion programme at Kashipur, FIL is proposing to manufacture injection moulded articles for drip irrigation industry, with a thrust on production of drippers.

Business Model
Flexituff International is fully-integrated manufacturing unit and believes in producing every thing in-house to maintain the highest level of quality and delivery commitments. Company’s business model includes complete integration for manufacturing activities and using distributors world-wide to work as partners to jointly sell the products to end-customers. For domestic customers they are working on B2B model and are directly approaching end-customers for their business.

Strengths * The SEZ unit at Pithampur enjoys certain tax benefits in the nature of income tax exemption (up to 31 March 2013), excise duty exemption, sales tax exemption and many other statutory duties. The unit at Kashipur is located in the excise-free zone and has received a tax exemption for 10 years from the payment of excise duty (up to 19 January 2019) and income tax (up to 31 March 2018). * The company has well diversified products portfolio: flexible intermediate bulk containers (FIBC), reverse printed BOPP woven bags, special PP bags and Leno bags, geo-textile fabrics and ground covers. * It is not dependent on a single market and present both in overseas as well as domestic markets. It exports to around 30 countries across the globe and present in four continents.
Weaknesses
* Exports to US and Europe contributed 49%, 62 % and 78% of its total revenue for FY 2011, FY 2010 and FY 2009, respectively. Any change in the policies governing the packaging industry and /or an economic slowdown in these regions may affect its financial condition and business operations. Also foreign currency exchange rate fluctuations can have a material adverse effect on its financial conditions.

* The company had negative cash flow from operating activities of Rs. 5.6 crore in FY 2010 and of Rs. 2.08 crore in FY 2008.

* As on March 31, 2011, contingent liabilities not provided for appearing in consolidated financial statements as restated aggregated to Rs. 38.38 crore. If any or all of these contingent liabilities materialize, it could have a material adverse effect on business, financial condition and results of operations

* There exists a potential conflict of interest between the company and its promoter, Sanovi Trading Private Ltd., and its group company, Pusti Trading Pvt. Ltd., which may adversely affect its business.

Value Chain – Operations
Distribution
Distribution for FIL is handled via 2 wholly owned subsidiaries namely
Flexiglobal (UK) Ltd. (100%) – Engaged in marketing and distribution of FIBC in UK.
Lakshmi Incorporated (100%) – Engaged in marketing and distribution of FIBC in US
As most orders are end to end solutions and need customizations, Bulk orders are necessary to harness economies of scale. Hence FIL is able to maintain a respectable degree of flexibility in the flexibility/efficiency payoff matrix by having its own subsidiaries for distribution.

Sales and Marketing
FIL primarily uses Direct marketing – dedicated personnel-client relationships, again via its wholly owned subsidiaries mentioned above. Being a Multi product, multi market company FIL employs product specific strategies as mentioned below
FIBC (Export)
Approximately 95% of FIBC manufactured by us is exported to various countries spread over 4 continents. FIL has categorised the world into 3 major groups depending on the business potential namely U.S.A, Europe and Rest of the World (ROW). Each area is headed by a senior marketing executive.
Major customers: B.A.G. Corp., U.S.A, Bulklift International Inc., U.S.A, Baobag, France
FIBC (Domestic)
This is a fast growing segment and signifies growth potential in India. Considering the future potential of FIBC market in India FIL has given special thrust to his segment and have a dedicated marketing team. This is headed by a senior marketing executive having more than 2 decades of experience.
Major customers: Ultratech Cement Ltd.,Hindustan Unilver Ltd, Jindal Power & Steel Ltd. Fast growing Geo Textile Fabric and Ground Cover
This is a new product and a separate division has been established to handle this product at our Delhi marketing office. A senior marketing professional has been employed having rich experience in this industry. FIL proposes to appoint more senior people for increasing this activity with faster momentum.
Major customers: Iberoamericana De Plasticos (Iberoplast), Peru, J & HM Dickson, Scotland
Reverse-Printed BOPP Bags
This product is being controlled from our Delhi office which has over 16 personnel marketing the product on PAN India basis and has 2 dedicated executives for export. Export of BOPP bags is also supported by their subsidiary in USA. For BOPP (domestic) marketing FIL has a senior general manager heading the division. FIL have a team of 13 managers and 3 executives marketing these products in different areas of the country. For this purpose FIL has segmented India into five zones namely north zone, south zone, western zone, central zone and eastern zone. They have 4 graphic designers to assist customers in designing the print matter of the bags.
Major export customers: Lewis Trading Corp., U.S.A, Langston Companies, Inc., U.S.A

Business Strategy
Based on the value chain analysis above, we have identified five key value drivers that form the business strategy for FIL and are elaborated below.
Core Competence
FIL’s core competence lies in manufacturing of FIBC which has a Huge market potential across both developed & developing countries. With extensive Capacity addition along with scale of operation & skilled manpower FIL is well positioned to cater the demand.
New Products
New additions like Geo textiles fabrics & BOPP woven bags to the product basket has large growth potential in India. FIL also Plans to introduce polymer compound for drip irrigation & injection moulded pallets from recycled material.
Diversified Applications
FIL offers it customers services like waste disposal at its full fledged plastic waste recycling plant at Kandla. FIBC can be used only once & need to be disposed off afterwards, thereby giving access to cheap source of raw material made out of recycled material.
In House Research and Development
FIL focuses on plastic processing solutions & develop import substitute products. Currently, FIL is working on developing substitutes for imported products like Halogen Free Flame Retardant, Nylon Elastomer, Fluropolymer & ASA (Acrylonitrile Styrene Acrylate).
Connecting with End Customer
FIL has already floated a 100% subsidiary named ‘Flexiglobal Holdings Limited’ in Cyprus as a holding company which in turn has invested in Lakshmi Incorporated (engaged in manufacturing of extruded reclosable plastic profiles and distribution of FIBC ) and Flexiglobal (UK) Ltd (engaged in marketing and distribution of FIBC products in UK.
These facilitates direct marketing and distribution and also fosters closer customer relations.

Porter‘s Five Forces Analysis

Threat of Suppliers
Threat of suppliers is considerably low. Suppliers are highly fragmented, firms have too many options. Switching cost to alternate suppliers low due to absence of contracts. Industry is going towards integration. Supplies are of low value and readily available.
Threat of New Entrants
Threat of new entrants is low because of high entry barrios. It requires very high capital expenditure. Buyers are of large size and quality conscious, difficult to convince to switch to new startups. There exist great economies of scale
Threat of Substitutes
Threat of substitutes is also very low because of absence of potent substitutes. Industry is characterized by frequent changes based on trends/regulations and only big companies can cope up with these changes.
Bargaining Power of Buyers
Bargaining power of buyers is high because cost of switching is low. Firms usually have limited numbers but big buyers also there exists lack of formal contracts. Although less probable, but buyers have option of backward integration.
Rivalry amongst Competitors
Rivalry amongst competitors is moderate as the number of rivals is low and they compete on low price. Products are less differentiated and firms tend to have fixed and stable buyers.

Corporate Strategy
Corporate Structure
The company has three direct subsidiaries and two step down subsidiaries. Direct subsidiaries: Flexiglobal Holdings, Cyprus, (100%) is a holding and investment company; Nanofil Technologies Pvt. Ltd. (99.9%) is carries research and development by using various technologies such as nano technology, chemical technology, biochemical technology and polymer technology to use in polypropylene, polyethylene, and PVC products; and Satguru Polyfab Pvt. Ltd. (78.6%) is in the business of manufacturing, process, and produce and deals in reprocess of plastic waste to use in polypropylene, polyethylene, and PVC products.
The two stepdown subsidiaries abroad; one in the United Kingdom, Flexiglobal (UK) is in distribution and marketing of FIBCs; and the other, Lakshmi Incorporated in the US, manufactures the special closure, added on to make a bag (paper, polyethylene or woven) into a re-closable bag and acts as a distribution platform for the company's products in the US.

References 1. http://www.flexituff.com/ 2. Flexituff International Red Herring Prospectus 3. Flexituff International Annual Reports 4. Interviews with Mr. Atul Asawa, Vice President, Flexituff International, Kashipur Plant

Similar Documents

Premium Essay

Supply Chain Mgt

...Retail trade is one of the traditional businesses of Bangladesh. Its expansion is keeping pace with population growth and changes in consumption patterns, which are consistent with the growth of the economy. This expansion has not been structurally organized, because, until recently, retailing had never been perceived as an industry, but rather as an individual or family business entity with a very limited scope of organized expansion. Little to no market information is available on the retail sector, but secondary sources indicate that the size of the food retail sector in Bangladesh could be US$12-14 billion, and the number of retail grocery shops could be around 1 million. Retail is one of the biggest sources of employment (12 percent), and it contributed 13 percent (wholesale and retail trading) to Bangladesh’s GDP. Organized retail is booming and creating huge opportunity for enterprises. Retailers though sell other companies products work out their own marketing strategies fixing their own target market towards providing customer satisfaction separately. Retail stores irrespective of product line and relative prices emerge in all shape and sizes, such as Specialty stores, Department stores, Supermarkets, Superstore, Convenience stores, Discount stores and off- price stores. Current Market Scenario of Super Market: Superstores are set to boom in the country as the current market players are planning to open several hundred more outlets in the next few years...

Words: 4414 - Pages: 18

Premium Essay

Supply Chain Mgt

...Supply Chain Management Supply chain management (SCM) is of great importance to the private sector as it is to the military. Both industries have similar approach to the management of the supply chain, requiring desirable result but for different reason. Successful supply chain management takes coordination and integration within and between companies. The ultimate goal of an effective supply chain management system is to make products available when needed and at the same time reduce on hand inventory. Supply chain management is described as the management of materials, information, and finances as they move from supplier to manufacturer to wholesaler to retailer and on to the consumer. The management of materials consists of the movement of goods from a supplier to a customer and any customer returns or service needs. The information piece is the transmission of requisitions and status updates on deliveries. The financial piece includes the credit terms, payment schedules, and consignment and title ownership arrangements Supply chain management is also improving the way a company finds the raw materials it needs to make a product or service and deliver it to the customer. Company’s five basic components of supply chain management are plan, source, make, deliver, and return. Planning is the tactical part of supply chain management. Companies need a line of attack for managing all the assets that go toward meeting customer request for their product or service. A big part of...

Words: 1846 - Pages: 8

Premium Essay

Mgt 420 (Managing Quality in the Supply Chain)

...MGT 420 (Managing Quality in the Supply Chain) Course Assignments Week 1- 5 Click to Download Week 1 Exit Assessment Week 1 Individual Assignment; Role of Stakeholder Paper Week 2 LT Assignment Part I; BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Initiative Proposal Week 3 Individual Assignment; Theory Matrix Week 4 LT Assignment; Part II & III BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Implementation Strategy Week 5 Individual Assignment; Quality Management Organizations Week 5 LT Assignment; Part IV: BJB Manufacturing Company Quality Management Supplier Alliance Metrics Report MGT 420 Week 5 Final Examination (42 Multiple Choice) MGT 420 Final Exam Click to Download 1) If you select a physician solely on the reputation of the physician, you are basing your decision of which of the following dimensions of service quality? 2) Which of the following is the most traditional definition of quality? 3) Like engineers, operations managers are very concerned about product and process design. However, rather than focusing on only the technical aspects of those activities, operations concentrates on the __________ of these activities. 4) Which of the following is not an example of a strategic content variable? 5) The role of marketing in design has been to bring the voice of the __________ into the design process. 6) __________ is the process by which a leader influences a group to move toward the attainment of superordinate goals. 7) __________...

Words: 826 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Mgt 309

...Case Analysis 1 MGT 309 25 Oct 15 Christopher A. Aberle James Maddox Christopher A. Aberle MGT 309 Case Analysis 1 25 Oct 15 Introduction Gard Automotive Manufacturing (GARD), is an original equipment manufacturer (OEM) which makes a range of plastic products such as window and door handles, dashboards and control knobs for light trucks and autos for U.S. auto producers. One of the companies that GARD buys from year in and out is DuPont Engineering Polymers (DEP) which has been a stable company and a top product which earned another contract this year. “Tom Lippet, sales representative for DuPont Engineering Polymers (DEP)” has been working with “Mike O’Leary, purchasing agent at GARD” for years concerning the contract who will be retiring in a few months and Richard Binish will be O’Leary’s successor. He is ready to make some changes which will bring up some questions in DEPs eyes in the business game. “In Binish’s terms, product merely becomes a ‘qualifying criterion.’ If everyone’s product is comparable, especially in something such as polymer feedstock, how do you distinguish yourself? Binish claims companies will need to demonstrate something called ‘order winning criteria’ to get our business in the future.” For DEP to keep the GARD business, they will need to improve its logistical performance to meet rising expectations from the customers. Body Certain stages are adding value in the DEP/GARD supply chain which shows what is needed to have...

Words: 1075 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

United Natural Foods-Swott Mgt521

...United Natural Foods Judith Palmer MGT/521 April 14, 2015 Daniel Kearney Founded in 1996, United Natural Foods, also known as UNFI, is the leading national distributor of natural and organic foods in the United States and Canada (United Natural Foods, 2009). UNFI serves more than 40,000 customer locations, which includes natural food stores and supermarkets. With Whole Foods as one of their leading retailers here in the United States, UNFI currently has 33 distribution centers. Although UNFI has experienced revenue growth, organic food is still only a small part of our food system, and the price of organic foods remains more expensive than conventionally produced foods. The biggest complaint from consumers is the high price of organic foods. Organic foods cost more because of their inefficient distribution network. Strategic and Operational Plans Organic foods are more expensive because of scale. Organic farms don’t operate at scale, so the cost of marketing and distributing organic food is higher. Also, in addition to UNFI’s scale, UNFI also suffers from inefficient distribution network. Now with scale, distribution, supply, and cost taken into consideration, shoppers are limited to purchasing organic foods. UNFI strategic and technology plans to improve their distribution and efficiency of their supply chains is to: * Improve Operations (distribution): The challenge to deliver their organic food in the most efficient way would be dissolved by using distribution...

Words: 499 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Supply Chain Management

...REVIEW OF SUPPLY CHAIN MANAGEMENT CONCEPTS AND THE BULLWHIP EFFECT H.M. Lai1 1Faculty of Engineering, Universiti Putra Malaysia, 43400 Serdang, Selangor, Malaysia. ahiu_mun@hotmail.com Keywords: Supply Chain Management, Bullwhip Effect, Inventory. Abstract. In recent years, the application of supply chain management in organization has become very popular. Business organizations today increasingly use the vital role of supply chain management to compete. This paper presents the basic concepts and literature review of supply chain management. The practice of supply chain management is guided by some basic underlying concepts that have not changed much over the centuries. This paper also discusses the common problem in supply chain management known as the bullwhip effect. 1. Introduction At present, the way the business is done has undergone radical transformation due to ever increasing expectations of consumers. The realization of importance of collaboration and integration among the partners has led to the idea of supply chain management. Organizations have realized the essentialness of an effective and efficient management of supply chain for present and future survival. Hence, the importance of supply chain management has grown over a period of time and plenty of planning models are now practiced by organizations across the globe. In adopting supply chain management, organizations must carry out a consistent set of management practices. 2. The Concept of Supply Chain Management...

Words: 2894 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Small and Medium Enterprises

...Research Paper Challenges and opportunities of Tanzanian SMEs in adapting supply chain management Sama Hamisi Procurement and Supplies Department, College of Business Education, Dodoma Campus, Dodoma, P. O. Box 2077, Tanzania. E-mail: samakicheche@yahoo.com. Tel: +255 755 292 850. Fax: +255 026 232 2121. Accepted 19 November, 2010 Around the globe, Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs) have acquired a significant and pivotal position in the entire economic development process. Over the years, this sector had played a critical role in developing Tanzanian economy through creation of employment opportunities, income generation, equitable distribution of income whence contributing towards poverty alleviation. However, this sector suffers a number of challenges in domestic and global market competition, though, varieties of opportunities in adapting supply chain management exists. In today’s context of fast changing and dynamic economy and dominance of global supply chain systems, the SMEs in Tanzania, besides facing traditional hardships in finance, they misalliance the phenomenon of supply chain management thus fails to find proper place in the domestic and global supply chain leaving TNCs and MNCs to have a greater dominance. As Tanzania’s economic policy is about-turn from socialism and self-reliance towards capitalism, SMEs are strangled in a ‘wait and see’ position as global supply chain bandwagon continue to wheel with supersonic speed leaving them fragmented...

Words: 8890 - Pages: 36

Premium Essay

Mgt215

...Mgt 215 UMT University Assignment 1 MGT 215. Operations, Logistics and Supply Chain Management November 25, 2012 1) Select a technology from 1850 to the present. Describe how it has affected productivity A technology that comes to mind is server virtualization. We use them every day in the government as we work toward going green, lower cost, increasing productivity. Since the migration to the virtual servers we were able to cut paper files by ¾. We use a digital contract file now instead of a 6 pile folder with hundreds of page. Another reason the army has choosing to go this way is so it can spread the cost of maintenance and repair across several customers with shared servers. This results in a lower price per base. Then there is the Virtual conference, which saves millions of dollar. Now you’re asking how this affect productivity does well with virtual contract files any base has access to them with save on efficiencies, be abilities to collaborate with like minds to gain more knowledge, also to form comradely. (2) Identify the transformation that takes place in a restaurant. In a restaurant you are buying a meal but also the environment and the service. In many cases the value of inputs is measured in financial terms, which is say that organizations aim to make a profit like the Hard Rock Café. To increase efficiency managers are always seeking ways of producing more with the same level of inputs or producing the same amount with fewer inputs. Some...

Words: 333 - Pages: 2

Premium Essay

Ikea: Indian Rugs and Child Labor

...IKEA’s Global Sourcing Challenge: Indian Rugs and Child Labor Nathan Johnson Case Analysis MGT 400 – 10/27/09 1) How should Marianne Barner respond to the invitation for IKEA to have a representative appear on the upcoming broadcast of the German Video Production? The offer to have a representative appear on the upcoming broadcast of the German Video Production seems like a total setup. This movie sounds like it is totally geared towards tearing down the corporation’s credibility, etc. If a representative goes, most likely there will be set questions created by the group that made this video in attempt to incriminate IKEA on camera. I would recommend that Marianne Barner thank the German Video Production company for the invitation but to politely decline and say something to the extent that IKEA is currently investigating the operations of its suppliers to ensure compliance with IKEA’s policies. Thereby, as kindly as possible you extend politeness and it is implied that IKEA is now aware of the child labor IKEA is actively seeking to resolve the issue. 2) What actions should she take regarding the IKEA supply contract with Rangan Exports? The most logical approach towards addressing this issue would be to perform some sort of investigation on ALL of IKEA’s suppliers to make sure that all of them are in compliance. If IKEA singles out Rangan Exports, they could risk some sort of discrimination suit. Additionally, if there are more suppliers in violation of their...

Words: 1016 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Case 1:  Integrated Logistics for Dep/Gard

...Case 1:  Integrated Logistics for DEP/GARD MGT 309 March 7, 2015 Dr. Williams Background Gard Automotive Manufacturing’s purchasing agent Mike O’Leary has announced his retirement and his predecessor, Richard Binish, has been announced. One of Gards long term suppliers, Tom Lippet, of DuPont Engineering Polymers (DEP) is coming in to negotiate a new contract. DEP’s polymer is a critical feedstock of the GARD’s manufacturing process. DEP’s supplies have always met Mike’s standards and he’s had few production problems reported from his production managers. Tom’s approach to supplying the business is different than Mike’s. Tom has and MBA with a concentration in purchasing and logistics. Prior to be announced as Mike’s predecessor, Tom worked in inventory management. While in this position Tom used the 80/20 rule to eliminate suppliers and products that were not profitable. Tom’s company is award a one year contract. After the contract signing Mike explains to Tom what Richard is looking for in delivery and options moving forward. Mike reviews with Tom that his company’s product no longer stands out from the pack and that its delivery standards are below Richards expectations. He also explains that Richard’s expectations for delivery will only increase in the coming years. The conversation Mike has had with Tom gives him time to review the competition and his company’s standards. Tom can use this as an opportunity to reevaluate how his company compares to...

Words: 1099 - Pages: 5

Free Essay

Phar-Mor

...EXAM(not including DFD time) ___150mins_________ GENERIC ANSWERS/ANALYSIS WILL NOT GET CREDIT * Use double space & 11 or 12 font * BE VERY SPECIFIC (Quality is important than quantity, but do not shortchange your answers) * TO GET CREDIT YOUR ANALYSIS MUST FOLLOW CONCEPTS IN THE BOOK & READINGS. * DO NOT GO OFF ON generic TANGENTS. * MAKE reasonable ASSUMPTIONS IF YOU NEED TO and list them READ CAREFULLY AND ALLOCATE YOUR TIME WISELY!!!!! TO BE SUBMITTED: Create a zip file and include the following: * This Exam with answers (including Evidence FORM) * Excel spreadsheet related to Q7 Q#1 Multiple Choice: (3 points) 1. A supervisor having to decide when to reorder supplies or how best to allocate personnel for the completion of the project is an example of a _________ decision. a. structured b. unstructured c. semi-structured d. none of the above 2. Each team has only one home stadium and each stadium can have many home teams. This is an example of what kind of relationship between TEAM and STADIUM? a. 1:1 b. 1:m c. m:n d. m:1 3 Amazing electronic ( a fictious company), an electronic retailer, recently declared bankruptcy and went out of business. This would, typically, A) increase Buyer’s power B) increase Supplier’s power C) make it easy for others to enter the electronic market D) None of the above Q2. Wendy’s International, a...

Words: 2938 - Pages: 12

Premium Essay

Business

...A Case Study of Wal-Mart’s “Green” Supply Chain Management Adam Heying Whitney Sanzero MGT 520 Operations Management Professor Jim Constand May 4, 2009 Summary Supply chain management has been the cornerstone to Wal-Mart’s success and remains their primary competitive advantage in the retail/department store industry. Their distribution system is generally regarded as the most efficient and they have an approach to supply chain management that has long emphasized visibility through the sharing of information with their suppliers. Although there are hundreds of logistical functions which allow Wal-Mart to be the price and logistics leader, the focus will be primarily on the company’s newly adopted strategy of making logistical processes “green” and more environmentally conscious. According to the Supply Chain Management Review, Wal-Mart CEO Lee Scott committed the company to three ambitious goals: to be supplied 100 percent by renewable energy; to create zero waste; and to sell products that sustain Wal-Mart’s resources and the environment. Wal-Mart’s 14 Sustainable Value Networks, the Network’s structure, new “green” logistics technologies, and additional future initiatives will be considered along with counter arguments which suggest that Wal-Mart’s green initiative is simply unsustainable. The main sticking point seems to be the same one that has long held back the adoption of better light bulbs...

Words: 768 - Pages: 4

Premium Essay

Case Analysis

...Case 1: Integrated Logistics for DEP/GARD MGT 309 The Integrated Logistics for DEP/GARD takes us inside of contract renewal negotiations for DuPont Engineering Polymers (DEP) and Gard Automotive Manufacturing (GARD). Tom Lippet is the sales representative for DEP and Mike O’Leary is the purchasing agent for GARD, he is due to retire and replaced by Richard Binish. O’Leary begins to explain to Tom Lippet the contract will only renew for a year and give him insight on the upcoming changes that Binish will began to implement into the company. Binish wants companies to demonstrate “order winning criteria” (Bowersox, Closs, Cooper & Bowersox, 2013). Order-winning criteria are unique selling points or a competitive advantage. It differentiates the products or services from competition. The terms order-winning and order-qualifying were introduced by professor T. Hill from the London Business School to differentiate the criteria that allows a company to compete in the market (order-qualifying) from the criteria that provide a competitive advantage (order-winning), (www.referenceforbusiness.com). In the DEP/GARD Supply Chain, they have several stages that are adding value, such as their ability to maintain a 7-day supply of all their compounds and their continuous advancements in technology, their packaging and product manufacturing. One of the companies down falls has been the inability to move their product at a consistent rate, their delayed paperwork process and inventory...

Words: 1119 - Pages: 5

Premium Essay

Case Study 1

...Integrated Logistics for DEP/GARD MGT-309 May 10, 2015 RK Introduction Supply chain management is “multiple firms collaborating to leverage strategic positioning and to improve operating efficiency” (Bowersox, 4). Proper integration and management results in efficient and successful operations. Without effective supply chain management, business functions can fail through reduced reliability of delivery, frequent shifts in operations to make up for shortages in materials and delivery, which ultimately can lead to a reduction in a firm’s reputation. Customers want products and resources at the right time, condition, product, price, place, and person. DEP/GARD contract negotiations is a case where DEP has to improve its economic, market, and relevancy value to remain a supplier for GARD. Analysis Firms must constantly seek to improve operations to improve the customer perspective of value, from an economic, market, and relevancy perspective (Bowersox, 5). Without improving value, a firm can become obsolete and lose business. Under a new purchasing agent, GARD looks to improve its efficiency of operations. Currently the firm works within a 10 day delivery, plus or minus 2 days, which is a 5 day service window. If this is the industry standard, GARD will not have a competitive advantage over other similar firms and must continually seek to improve it operations. GARD seeks to reduce the service window to 3 days. This added value will improve GARD strategic position...

Words: 1264 - Pages: 6

Premium Essay

Quiz 1:Mgt-417

...Quiz 1, Logistical Inventory Control, MGT 417 ------------------------------------------------- Chapters 1-2 Completed Quiz must be posted to the Dropbox no later than 8 p.m. on Tuesday, 29 October. Each student must complete the Quiz independently with no assistance This is an open book Quiz; you may use your text book and class PPT presentations The Quiz consists of Fill in the Blank, Multiple Choice and True and False Questions… Circle the Letter/True or False corresponding to your answer, fill in the blanks with your answer. Name: Piyabalo Padaro 1. Stock consists of all the goods and materials that are stored by an organization. It is a store of items that is kept for future use. T or F? Answer: T 2. The sequence of stock replenishment and reduction to meet demand is repeated continuously in a stock cycle. In sequential order, place the corresponding Number next to the item below to indicate the sequential order in which it occurs in the stock cycle: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6 6 - At some point, the stock gets low and it is time for the organization to place another order 1 - An organization buys a number of units of an item from a supplier. 4 - Customers, either internal or external, create demands for the item. 2 - At an arranged time, these units are delivered. 5 - Units are removed from stock to meet these demands. 3- (Unless they are needed immediately, the units are put into...

Words: 783 - Pages: 4