Logistics news

Delegation from China on Modern Logistics Training

Twenty five delegates from the Jiangsu Development and Reform Commission in China visited VU this month for executive training on modern logistics. The delegation was a direct result of the Victorian Government mission to China in September 2012, and VU was privileged to conduct the pilot program. The three days executive training were facilitated by Dr. Himanshu Shee, followed by two visits to IGA Distribution center in Laverton, and Corporate Express in Port Melbourne. The training was targeted mainly on Australian Logistics industry’s trend, decision behind process development and technology applications, cost efficiency drive and the strategies for survival in the era of global financial crisis. The experienced logistics delegates were most impressed by the industry visits, program content, and discussions. It was a great opportunity to exchange knowledge with the delegation.

At the IGA Distribution Centre, a demonstration of the normal operation of receiving, storing and dispatching drew attention to the functional layout, personnel scheduling/work flow, safety measures, and overall productivity. Among the technology applications, the delegation was particularly impressed by the voice recognition and pick-up system and the general Warehouse Management Systems (WMS). The dematic crane in the National Distribution Center (NDC) was the main attraction and the delegates noted the efficient and cost effective process of handling small orders.

At Corporate Express in Port Melbourne, a similar voice recognition and pick-up system was demonstrated to an accuracy of 99.89%. Further, the sustainability and ethical practices adopted by Corporate Express added to the value of the site visit. As one participant said, ‘We know it, but we're not able to practice in logistics management’. All realised that the Australian Logistics Industry is way ahead on many fronts than its Chinese counterpart. All members of the delegation were presented with certificates by Executive Education Director Dr. Joe Griffin, who is confident that the pilot program will be continued in 2013.

Supply chain students on Industrial Visits

Dr. Himanshu Shee from the School of Management and Information Systems took a group of 40 postgraduate students to the Toyota Motor Corporation (TMC) and Corporate Express (CE) distribution centre (DC) in Altona and Port Melbourne October 2012.

The Corporate Express DC deals mainly with office supplies to corporate offices, while TMC produces Camry and Aurion cars for domestic and overseas markets. The supply chain students had the opportunity to go through the logistics DC operations mainly the processes such as receiving, put away, retrieving and dispatching. The voice picking technology of the DC was major point of discussion.

Car Assembly line at TMC was the major attraction for the students and the students were keen to know more on the logistics operations behind it. Both the visits added much to the class room discussion on the way supermarket industry and car manufacturing sector operate in Australia. Kaizen (i.e. continuous improvement) and Kanban (i.e. components parts ordering) application were the major area of discussion while on plant tour. The learning from the visit was added to the report that the students prepared on various topics and submitted for assessment.