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Have you ever wondered about supply chain logistics? You can get a good understanding of it by looking closely at a factory assembly line. Because through that manufacturing line, supply chain logistics are applied in a manner and method that keeps the line functioning and working.

The overriding demand for a cohesive supply chain plan begins when the line is started and ends when the product being manufactured is finally delivered into the hands of a satisfied customer.

Logistics, and more specifically, logistics management play a very important role. Along the way, logistics plays a precise role. Before an assembly line is fired up, you have to determine what the precise parts of a product will be that will be mixed together. This typically is worked out well in advance by a design team. In fact, the creation of any manufacturing efforts depends on how those different pieces will be put together and how

Part of the supply chain management process even speaks to this: Will the assebmly of your product be automated or done by hand.   Will you create it on your own, without any automation?  Or will it a be a combination of both?

Applying supply chain logistics to this aspect of the assembly line means recruiting, hiring and programming a work force. Typically this is the duty of the human resources department. Although they may not like to refer to their  personnel staff as supply, they are in essence a crucial element of the overall supply chain.

While a staff is being assembled , the logistics of the delivery of the various items needed to be worked out. These particular items could be coming from many different sources, which, for example, is the case of automobile manufacturing.

Investory stock needs to be at a set level in order to begin fulfilling the orders. If one piece of the puzzle is missing, the fulfillment line comes to a grinding halt. Part of working out supply chain logistics is to insure enough inventory to complete a particular order. This should also include “back-up” parts in case there is a failure of any piece. Now that the parts are ready and the staff is in place, the assembly line can begin. But supply chain logistics are still an active part of this line.

What happens when the product is built?

It needs to be proper fulfillment management, according to the orders. There will also need to be a “shadow crew” of maintenance workers standing by in the event that some part of the assembly line breaks down. Planning for this well in advance of it happening is crucial to the proper execution of supply chain logistics.

Related articles

• What You Always Wanted to Know About Supply Chain Logistics (dohertyassoc.com)

For Immediate Release: Contact: Aaron McLear/Camille Anderson

Wednesday, October 29, 2008 916-445-4571

Gov. Schwarzenegger Announces Conference on Small Business and Entrepreneurship

Furthering his commitment to support California’s small businesses in their contribution to the health and power of the state’s economy, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger today announced he will host California’s first ever Governor’s Conference on Small Business and Entrepreneurship to be held at the Renaissance Montura Hotel in Los Angeles on November 18 and 19.

“Small businesses have always provided innovative products and services that drive our state’s diverse economy,” said Governor Schwarzenegger. “As we deal with the global economic crisis, my administration is committed to listening to our small businesses and entrepreneurs for their ideas on how we can best partner with them to unleash the power of their creativity, ingenuity and work ethic to maintain California’s leadership in the global economy.”

On Monday, the Governor announced the he would focus on economic stimulus as part of the special legislative session he will call in November.

The Governor has invited leaders of small business organizations and entrepreneurs representing the spectrum of the state’s economy to make recommendations on improving the partnership between the private sector and state government to stimulate the economy. Since May, a number of individuals from these groups have been preparing draft proposals for consideration and prioritization by the conference participants. The topics range from access to capital to regulatory reform; from workforce development to AB 32 compliance. Their work has yielded over 100 separate recommendations and the final proposals will be developed and voted on by the conference participants.

Speakers at the conference include Tom Hayes, author of the Jump Point and Silicon Valley columnist Mike Malone, who will lead an exciting discussion on the future of business; Louis Rossetto, co-founder of Wired magazine and Dan Rose, vice president of Facebook, who will explore the network of entrepreneurs and the digital explosion; David Fischer, vice president of global online sales and operations at Google and Janine Popick, founder and chief executive officer of Vertical Response, who will provide insights into how small businesses can establish themselves in the global market. Additional speakers include Phil Romero, dean of the California State University Los Angeles School of Business; Guy Philips, head of U. S. Small Business for VISA, Inc; Elizabeth O’Connor, economist and vice president of Capital Strategy Research, Inc.; and Arel Moodie, founder and chief executive officer of Placefinder.com, among others.

Notable attendees include the leadership team for the California Community Colleges and representatives from California’s most influential small business groups.

Additional information about the Governor’s Conference on Small Business and Entrepreneurship can be found at www.sba.ca.gov.

Since assuming office, the Governor has been committed to supporting and growing California small businesses. To date, he has:

• Appointed Marty Keller as the Small Business Advocate in the Office of the Governor to advise on issues affecting California’s small business community and promote policies to encourage the growth of more small businesses in the state.
• Achieved over 25 percent in small business participation in state contracts procurement since 2007, exceeding the goal required by his executive order.
• Worked on behalf of minority-owned and small businesses to improve the state’s business climate and create jobs to promote economic growth.
• Fixed California’s broken workers’ compensation system which has saved California $24.7 billion in premiums to insured and self-insured plans.
• Issued an executive order encouraging small, disadvantaged businesses to participate in California’s infrastructure growth and play a key role in rebuilding the state’s transportation infrastructure.
• Announced a joint effort to provide more than $100 million in venture capital to expanding small businesses in the Los Angeles area.

The conference is by invite only. If you are interested in attending please click here