Logistic management is an important factor in the development and success of a company. Linköping University runs a project course which concentrates on that area and provides students with the opportunity of studying this area in depth. Together with participating companies within the region the students are given problems to solve as a means of developing their logistical know-how as well as the host company’s logistics’ system.

As a fourth and last year student studying civil engineering with industrial economy and machine technology opportunity exists to make an in-depth study of logistics. The course is called Developing Logistics System and is one of Linköping University’s two project courses in this field.

- The course comprises of a project whereby the students, under guidance, are presented with major logistics situations which they have to solve. These commissions are carried out on behalf of companies located within the region, says Maria Huge Brodin, who is a member of the Institute for Economic and Industrial Development at Linköping University. Maria is in charge of this course and the Institute has overall responsibility.

- The students break down the different components of the commission to enable them to clarify and itemise the problem. When this is completed the student then visits the company to collect necessary data and, based on this, present an outline of possible solutions, says Maria.

The aim of the course is to provide in-depth knowledge relating to investigational methods as well as experience in analysing and developing a company’s logistical system. The course participants apply the logistical knowledge they had gained previously and adapt solutions to suit the company’s problems. The problems that need to be solved can either be current or a commission relating to future situations which the host company would like solved. This can involve presenting a suggestion for a new distribution structure; evaluate alternative suggestions for warehouse management or to design a more efficient flow process.

Getting hold of host companies has not been easy.
- During times of prosperity, companies have too much to do and during depressions there are not enough personnel. As the company has the opportunity of providing a contact person who can answer questions and function as a guide is a prerequisite for the success of the commission, says Maria.

Companies with small and large operations interested in having their material and information flow mapped are suitable as host companies. One company which took the opportunity is the Norrköping-based Sörlins förlag AB. This company is a logistics and distribution partner for book and stationary deliveries. The company’s operations comprises in the main to warehousing, pricing, packing and dispatching books to the annual Swedish book sale on behalf of major chain book stores.
- We work at creating the right conditions so that sales premises and offices can coordinate their deliveries which are sorted, priced and ready for display in the stores. We also see that all administration is simplified and cost efficient and that the supplies are timed to suit that particular sales period. Sörlins offer quite simply modern logistics throughout the whole supply chain, explains the company owner, Ingemar Svensson.

- One reason for acting as a host company is related to our desire to grow. We simply wanted to see if it was possible for an actor in the book business to grow. The commission involves the students investigating if the opportunities exist to position the company as a third part logistics supplier within the Swedish book distribution industry. Our active participation involves presenting the company, describing our future plans and answering queries which occur during the projects life-span, says Ingemar who is extremely pleased with the end result. Serious warning flags were raised which I have taken on board and which have contributed towards the decision to carry out a test project before we proceed any further.

Norrköping is the perfect market for this company, says Ingemar, who describe the city as being Sweden’s logistical middle point and the country’s demographic centre. .
- One advantage is that companies operational within the whole of Sweden have shorter transport routes and therefore lower distribution costs; as well as having less affect on the environment. The geographical location in Sweden and the Nordic countries and access to the infrastructure which includes sea, air, train and the E4 motorway is just one of several major advantages with Norrköping. And the fact that the city has a good labour market providing both competent and experienced warehouse personnel only strengthens the city’s position, says Ingemar.

A good logistics company is capable of taking overall responsibility for the whole logistics chain, not just for the transportation sector but also the management of all the administrative processes which occur when goods must be moved physically from place to place. A company must also be able to provide a high service level for all the involved processes as demands in the form of accurate deliveries and short lead times only increases a company’s need to improve efficiency within its own operations, says Ingemar. Sörlins strength lies in its knowledge of the business, of post order and logistics. Customers requiring a complete solution covering warehousing and distribution of durable goods requiring a high degree of manual handling including alarms, pricing, repackaging etc, should choose us if they want the best possible cost efficient and flexible warehousing management system, says Ingemar.

Prospects no 3, 2007