Program Overview
This focused, 1-day training equips logistics, supply chain, and distribution professionals with the knowledge and practical tools to implement flow-through models that reduce inventory holding, lower transportation costs, and improve delivery speed. Participants will explore the design principles, operational workflows, and suitability of cross-docking, milk-run pickups/deliveries, and hub-and-spoke networks. Real-world case studies will highlight success factors and failure modes across industries like automotive, FMCG, pharma, and e-commerce. The program includes network mapping, vehicle scheduling simulations, and layout planning to ensure conceptual and operational clarity.
Features
- Understand where and how to apply cross-docking to reduce inventory dwell time
- Design effective milk-run loops for supplier collection and customer deliveries
- Plan hub-and-spoke models to optimize long-haul and last-mile efficiency
- Evaluate logistics models based on volume, frequency, route complexity, and service needs
Target audiences
- Logistics and Distribution Managers
- Plant SCM Professionals
- Warehouse Management Professionals
- Network Design Analysts
Curriculum
- 5 Sections
- 24 Lessons
- 1 Day
Expand all sectionsCollapse all sections
- Lean Distribution Network Design5
- 1.1Concepts: Direct Shipping vs Aggregated Models, First-Mile/Mid-Mile/Last-Mile
- 1.2Keywords: Cross-Docking, Milk-Run, Hub & Spoke, Multi-Echelon
- 1.3Situational Focus: High distribution cost with low truckfill in traditional models
- 1.4Real-life Insight: Cement company redesigned for spoke load consolidation
- 1.5Exercise: Match delivery model to SKU/Region/Customer profile
- Cross-Docking Deep Dive5
- 2.1Concepts: Types (pre-distribution, post-distribution), Dock Throughput
- 2.2Keywords: Flow-Through DC, Replenishment Batching, Scan-to-Load
- 2.3Situational Focus: High inventory touch cost between DC & store
- 2.4Real-life Insight: Electronics retail firm used cross-docking to reduce inventory by 22%
- 2.5Exercise: Simulate a cross-docking operation – space, throughput, labor plan
- Milk-Run Logistics Model5
- 3.1Concepts: Scheduled pickups, fixed route, shared capacity
- 3.2Keywords: Loop Logistics, Fixed Frequency, Multi-SKU Load
- 3.3Situational Focus: Small inbound volumes from multiple local suppliers
- 3.4Real-life Insight: Engineering component supplier cut inbound cost via milk-run
- 3.5Exercise: Route design challenge – create a loop covering 5 vendors within time constraints
- Hub-and-Spoke Distribution Models5
- 4.1Concepts: Network Centralization, Line-Haul Optimization, Break-Bulk
- 4.2Keywords: Regional Hub, Spoke Replenishment, Cross-Zone Routing
- 4.3Situational Focus: Multi-region service inconsistency & redundancy
- 4.4Real-life Insight: E-commerce firm created regional hubs to reduce same-day cost
- 4.5Exercise: Hub-and-spoke layout simulation with cost vs time trade-offs
- Model Selection, Hybrid Models & ROI4
- 5.1Concepts: Model Suitability Matrix, Hybrid Configurations (Cross-Dock + Hub), Cost-Benefit
- 5.2Keywords: Optimization Engine, Zone Skipping, Urban Spokes
- 5.3Case Comparison: 3PL evaluation – when to deploy milk-run vs hub model
- 5.4Exercise: Select best-fit distribution model for 3 case types (urban retail, export, B2B)
Instructor
