Logistics
It is only relatively recently that logistics and supply chain management have emerged as key business concerns, and it is now generally accepted that supply chains, and not individual firms or products, are the basis of much marketplace competition. Transport services (links in supply chains) and transport infrastructure (nodes in supply chains) are key elements in efficient logistics systems. Maritime transport (comprising ports as nodes and shipping services as links) is the dominant mode for international freight movements and is thus crucial to international trade and a vital component of many supply chains.
We wont get hung up on definitions, but it is important to distinguish logistics from other terms as it is a term that is today increasingly being used very loosely. Logistics isn’t just transport, although transport is of course important. Logistics then comprises transport, inventory management and related information systems and is in essence the engine of the supply chain.
Together with my colleagues Professor Chandra Lalwani and Dr Tim Butcher, both at the University of Hull Logistics Institute, we have written a textbook, published by Wiley (April 2008), and titled ’Global Logistics and Supply Chain Management’ – click here for details
To purchase the book click here
Short Courses in Logistics
Each year I run a five day intensive course in logistics and supply chain management at the Irish Management Institute in Dublin. The course is aimed both at those working within logistics and those who are new to the area. As well as classroom presentations from various highly experienced logistics practitioners we also visit best-in-class logistics facilities in the greater Dublin area. For further details on the course please follow this link: http://www.imi.ie/en/course_overview.aspx?courseIfxId=435
Applied Work
I regularly work with organisations to help them solve logistics problems, here is a sample of some of the organisations I have worked with over the past few years:
* Dublin Airport Authority
* Dublin Port company
* Drogheda Port company
* ESB Retail (retail division of the national energy utility)
* Irish Business and Employers Confederation (IBEC)
* Mitsubishi Electric
* Reva Showers
* Seven Seas
* The Marine Institute and The Irish Maritime Development Office
* Various Irish Government departments
