Mauro Vivaldini

Applying a business cell approach to fourth-party logistics freight management in the food service industry

The article presents and discusses the application of a business cell approach to fourth-party logistics (4PL) freight management in the inbound chain of the largest food service company operating in Brazil. The research conducted was an exploratory, descriptive case study, involving about 70% of this companys suppliers. This supply chain comprised the food service (focal) company, 69 material suppliers and 5 logistic service providers. A proposal for a business cell approach for the 4PL freight management for the food service company studied was developed and implemented. The application of the proposed approach provided a significant reduction in freight costs in the supply chain. This approach is a way of involving various agents in an inbound supply chain and, therefore, goes beyond the client and third-party logistics relationship. The approach developed also displays potential for being adjusted and applied to other industrial sectors, such as meat, beverage and packaging.

Improving logistics services through the technology used in fleet management

Outsourcing logistics has established itself in the area of the LSP (Logistics Service Provider), which offers a range of services to its customers. In this line, transportation is characterized as one of the most important services, and therefore efficient fleet management is essential for establishing a high level of customer service. With advances in technology and vehicle tracking systems, this approach of management has gained new possibilities for the improvement of logistics services. By studying the specific case of an LSP, this paper investigates the use of these technologies in the management of their business and services. The results indicate that the LSP seeks to increase its services and to streamline information in order to respond to customer needs in real time. It is also evident in this case under study that the combination of the technology available together with the fleet management system has become a distinguishing feature for this LSP, one which increases their skills and important information for both customers and business.

Importância dos fatores não-tecnológicos na implementação do CPFR

According to the Voluntary Interindustry Commerce Standards [VICS], Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment [CPFR] is based on the standardization, registration and electronic synchronization of data, supported by collaborative management among companies (VICS, 2004). Based on this definition, it can be concluded that there are two dominant factors in the implementation of CPFR: one essentially technological and the other non-technological. In this context, the main purpose of this study is to identify the so-called non-technological factors involved in CPFR reported in the literature and to analyze them in real situations. The importance of these factors is then analyzed through the study of two real cases of CPFR implementation, the first in a large fast food network and the second at a wholesale food distributor operating in Brazil. The main findings indicate that the demand forecast conducted by the company that coordinates CPFR carries the most weight in the understanding of demand by the companies of the whole supply chain, that the collaborative culture is considered a very important factor in the relationships along the chain (albeit not essential to the implementation of processes), and that the monitoring of activities is fundamental in aligning the companies with CPFR management.

Implementação de um sistema Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment em uma grande rede de fast food por meio de um prestador de serviços logísticos

Nowadays, Collaborative Planning has been considered a key element in the Supply Chain Management context. In this article, this topic is addressed by a real case where a large worldwide fast-food network and its logistics provider worked together in Brazil in a pilot project in order to implement a Collaborative Planning, Forecasting, and Replenishment (CPFR) system. Based on an action research approach, this paper presents the main variables that influenced the real project embracing the necessary processes, and it points out those that leveraged the CPFR implementation. Based on the case studied, a set of proposals about the role of the supply chain agents in similar projects is presented. Moreover, the case of conducting the supply chain management by a direct coordination of a logistics provider also allows to highlight the possibilities and difficulties of the CPFR system and to contribute towards a supply chain agents collaborative work.

DIFERENCIAÇÃO PARA PRESTADORES DE SERVIÇO LOGÍSTICO (PSL): UMA ANÁLISE SOBRE FATORES OPERACIONAIS

Esse trabalho discute os fatores operacionais que diferenciam o Prestador de Servicos Logisticos (PSL) na prestacao de servicos em cadeias de suprimentos. Por meio de uma analise teorica, o estudo propoe quais seriam estes fatores. Por sua vez, numa pesquisa de campo com cinco PSLs, os autores avaliam se eles sao pertinentes aos servicos prestados por estes PSLs, e se novos fatores podem ser apontados como possiveis diferenciais. Conclui-se haver uma forte relacao entre a teoria estudada com a pesquisa de campo e que, mesmo sendo os fatores apresentados possiveis diferenciais, algumas empresas atuam de forma restrita por opcao comercial.

Voice picking: analysis of critical factors through a case study in Brazil and the United States

Purpose - – The purpose of this paper is to identify and analyse the difficulties encountered in the implementation of a voice picking system at a large multinational company of the tractor industrial segment, outlining a comparison related to the main critical factors concerning the system implementation at a Brazilian and a USA plant. Design/methodology/approach - – The methodology utilised was qualitative and exploratory conducted through case studies in the two plants of the multinational company. The main data were collected through interviews with key managers directly involved in the project of voice picking system implementation. Findings - – The results indicate that the picking processes in the two plants were similar, since both were designed for the production line and conducted using bar-code readers and paper lists. Nevertheless, the internal warehousing process in the USA was more mature and computerised, whereas the Brazilian process still had opportunity for improvement, such as, the visual storage process, where the operator was responsible for locating an empty position. Research limitations/implications - – Since this research is an exploratory case study, its results cannot be generalised. Practical implications - – The paper provides relevant practical information and experiences to managers interested in implementing voice picking systems, as well as interested in improving the accuracy and productivity of logistics processes within warehouses. Originality/value - – The voice picking systems are more widespread in the USA than in Brazil, and therefore, companies around the world can use this studied case to better understand about the voice picking systems implementation process in both emerging and mature marketplaces.

O RELACIONAMENTO COLABORATIVO NA CADEIA DE SUPRIMENTOS DO MCDONALD’S

Atraves da analise da cadeia de suprimentos do McDonald’s, o estudo apresenta como o relacionamento colaborativo pode ser entendido na gestao do sistema e no processo de abastecimento dos restaurantes. O embasamento teorico explora o relacionamento na gestao da cadeia de suprimentos e o processo colaborativo como mecanismo de coordenacao dos agentes da cadeia. Sendo o McDonald’s um caso representativo e de relativo interesse academico, principalmente na sua gestao de suprimentos, acredita-se que o estudo contribua para o entendimento do tema, alem de esclarecer fatores que favorecem e beneficiam as empresas na utilizacao do conceito. Considerando a discussao sobre relacionamento colaborativo na cadeia de suprimentos um tema ainda em evolucao, este caso ajuda a dar embasamento a ideias e estudos futuros a respeito do assunto.