“Bullwhip” describes the general tendency for small changes in end‐customer demand to be amplified within a production‐distribution system. A 10 per cent increase in sales to end‐customers can precipitate a 40 per cent upswing in production and subsequent downswing (as excess stocks...

Introduces a supply chain “health check” procedure successfully applied in the European automotive sector and presents the results for the analysis of 20 trans‐European value streams covering a wide range of first and second tier suppliers. The health check procedure is activated via a...

Shows how the lean and agile paradigms may be selected according to marketplace requirements. These are distinctly different, since in the first case the market winner is cost, whereas in the second case the market winner is availability. Agile supply chains are required to be market sensitive...

The use of pipeline feedback to ensure good control of material flow systems has been developed over the years on a pragmatic basis. More recently, the mechanism by which the improved control is achieved has been the subject of theoretical analysis. In turn, this has led to recommendations for...

The use of industrial dynamics modelling of real‐life supply chains has only recently re‐emerged from the shadows after a lengthy gestation period. Shows that it is a powerful methodology for predicting and prioritizing methods of re‐engineering the chain in order to achieve enhanced...

WMC Ltd is a medium‐sized company which manufactures and distributes mechanical/ electrical equipment for the construction industry. Constitutes a case study which illustrates the re‐engineering methodology developed for WMC in order to improve its material and logistics control strategies....

The automotive industry acts as a barometer and flagship of the national economy. First tier suppliers are essential enablers in the success of the sector. Here we identify present practices concerning information flow as perceived by typical first tier suppliers. Observations are made via...