Transport logistics – Distribution networks
Transport logistics encompasses the complete consideration of all processes in logistics that are necessary for a transport. The spatial structure in which the distribution processes are implemented is referred to as the distribution network.
The distribution network can extend across a global, continental or national area. It is determined by three aspects. These are:
- production location,
- warehouse,
- point of customer demand.
The task of a distribution network
The task of the distribution network can be divided into three transport stages.
- Transport from the plants to the suppliers
- Transport from the suppliers to the transhipment points
- Transport from the transhipment points to the customers (final distribution)
The respective levels are also referred to as pre-carriage, main leg and onward carriage. If the consignment is large, the customer can also be supplied directly. Otherwise, the three-stage distribution network would have a potentially negative impact on the inventory during transport due to multiple transshipments.
For more information about inventory throughput time, see Material Throughput Time.
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