Packaging in Outbound Spare Part Distribution. A Study at Volvo Group
Ladda ner
Typ
Examensarbete för masterexamen
Program
Supply chain management (MPSCM), MSc
Publicerad
2022
Författare
Sundestrand, Linnea
Sjöström, Malin
Modellbyggare
Tidskriftstitel
ISSN
Volymtitel
Utgivare
Sammanfattning
In an increasingly competitive market, companies have realized the importance of
their logistics activities being effective and efficient. An area highly impacting the
performance of a supply chain is the packaging. At Volvo Group, the transport
packaging used consists of returnable packaging called V-EMB, however, there are
cases when V-EMB cannot be used. This master’s thesis aims to study the outbound
transport packaging processes within Volvo Group’s Service Market Logistics
organization when sending non-V-EMB packaging from central and regional distribution
centers to dealers. The purpose is to, by studying the current outbound
transport packaging processes, assist Volvo Group in ensuring that their processes
are favorable with regard to quality, cost, and sustainability. To fulfill this aim, a
qualitative study has been conducted. First, a theoretical framework has been created
from existing literature on the area. Further, a survey has been sent out to 14
distribution centers, followed by interviews with seven of them. In addition to this,
benchmarking with an external company has been conducted. All empirical findings
have thereafter been analyzed with the use of the theoretical framework. The result
of the research indicates that all of the studied distribution centers work similarly,
however, there are two main differences identified. The first one regards the supply
process, as some distribution centers keep their packaging stocks in-house while
others outsource them to a supplier. The second difference regards the branding of
the packaging, with some distribution centers branding their transport packaging
and others using brand-neutral packaging. Regarding quality, cost, and sustainability
requirements, all outbound transport packaging processes identified affect
the requirements set by Volvo Group positively. However, areas of improvement
are possible to identify within the outbound packaging processes, such as increased
communication and collaboration between the DCs and standardization of processes.
Beskrivning
Ämne/nyckelord
Packaging, Outbound Logistics, Aftermarket Services, Spare Parts, Packaging Waste, Packaging Performance.