Networks and Locations

Optimal network structures and locations are important prerequisites for cost and service oriented client shipment distribution. Decentralized stock in regional warehouses was, for a long time, the only way to guarantee fast delivery. Because of shorter run-times in transport networks, however, the tendency today is to dissolve regional warehouses and to centralize stock, which leads to significant reductions in stock and warehousing costs.

Nevertheless, as the level of service in many industries is still defined by client proximity, the question of the optimal logistic network configuration arises. What influence does a location change have on transport and warehousing costs? How many locations are necessary to fulfill the service requirements of your clients?

Our consultants create transparency in your company’s network demands and offer qualified support in location decisions. Defining and knowing the trade-off between stock/warehousing costs and transport costs is crucial when making these decisions.

We use simulation technology to determine result variations for optimizing existing locations or reorganizing logistic networks. Geographic and freight cost oriented criteria and weight are thereby considered. The transport scenarios obtained in this way are evaluated by determining concrete market potential through benchmarking actual freight with the help of current market prices from our freight database.

Our Consulting Services:

• Supply Chain optimization
• Client, sales and shipment structure analysis
• Service requirement analysis
• Development of various future scenarios
• Location optimization according to number and position
• Warehousing and transport cost evaluation
• Determination of synergy in inbound and outbound traffic
• Alternative transport scenario analysis and evaluation (e.g.: multimodal transport)
• Determination of logistic points (e.g.: cross docking) in logistic networks
• Transport network organization in reference to structures and processes
• Determination of logistic infrastructure as well as the flow of information and goods through the network