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Supply Chain Gang

Rob BuchananGreg Johnson

Matt Tinius

Problem

Past Thought : To optimize the transportation of freight in manageable

containers.

To cube out product so that every inch of capacity was filled.

Shifting Views: Concern has moved to truck operators

Driver hours of service have been shortened and probably will continue on the same path.

Issues Addressed

How do we help the driver? Help him/her to be more productive By reengineering equipment By regional rerouting

Reengineering EquipmentPhase 1 Part 1: Trailer Floor

2 trailer-length sets of rollers spanning a foot wide positioned 2 feet from either side of the trailer

Rollers should be able to be lowered just under the height of the trailer bed to prevent rolling of product

Sample truck bed shown below

53’

8.5’ Ball-bearing Rollers

Reengineering Equipment (2)Phase 1, Part 2: Box Bottoms

To aid in box sliding and manageable units Thin metal plates squared to support a 4-box bottom

Box1

KD2 KD1

KD3 KD4

Phase 1, Part 3: Shrink-wrapped Cubes KDs should be shrink-wrapped in manageable cubes (or

rectangular prisms) with a 4-box bottom so that there are 2 or 3 cubes for the height of the truck

This will prevent slippage during loading and unloading Cubes would be store or region-specific

Reengineering Equipment (3)Advantages

Significant reduction in time spent loading/unloading Less manual energy used by the driverLabor costs lessened

Disadvantages Considerable upfront capital costs Training at factory and driver levels Some bins may not allow width of shrink-wrapped cubes

Regional Rerouting

Regional ReroutingWest of the 95th meridian, eliminate bins within a feasible distance of each other.

In higher concentrated areas, eliminate bins within feasible

mile radius of DC.

Have regional managers first audit their areas to expel unnecessary bins, then set in place new criteria.

Decreasing Bins

• Eliminate surplus of bins

• Trade in some trucks for smaller, fuel-efficient trucks to deliver in closer proximity using a ray sweep approach

Regional Rerouting (2)

Eastern Region High density of bin locations, manufacturing facilities, and DCs

Western Region Low density of bin locations, manufacturing facilities, and DCs

Proposition: Tractor-trailers move product in low density regions from DC to direct

saleSmaller delivery trucks move product in higher density regions while

larger trailers deliver to further destinations, foregoing the need for bins in close proximity to the DCs

Eliminate bins within close proximity of DC

RecommendationFirst have regional managers audit the necessity of their bin locations and

concentration

Find most cost-effective outside company to reengineer the trailer floors

Begin implementing equipment reengineering and standardized bin spacing (both in the Western region due to its lower density) to work through any initial issues in a more controllable environment

Move East as process allows

Supply Chain Gang Contact:

robbuchanan@my.unt.edu

matthewtinius@my.unt.edu

greg.1j@gmail.com