A Study Of Third-party Logistics Mode Based On Mass Customization

Mass customization (MC) has become the main mode of production because customers strongly access to customized products with low price. For the manufacturing industry, logistics management plays a key role in achieving MC. To improve the efficiency and effectiveness of logistics, many MC enterprises and their supply chain outsource logistics. But not all of third-party logistics providers (TPLs) can achieve their customers'desired results. In order to enhance the competitiveness of the supply chain, TPLs must provide a logistics mode to match MC. Therefore, the research focuses on third-party logistics mode based on MC. The main content includes:(1) A match model between third-party logistics mode and MC was constructed. Based on Customer order discoupling point (CODP), the pre-CODP and post-CODP logistics demand characteristics were firstly compared from production operation, physical, and customers. And the strategic goals of logistics management in MC were proposed. Then, after comparing servaral logistics mode, the concept of third-party leagile logistics was introduced. Finally, a model matched third-party logistics mode with MC was constructed: third-party leagile logistics matches MC supply chain, third-party lean logistics and third-party agile logistics respectively matches pre-CODP and post-CODP supply chain.(2) An integrated model of third-party lean logistics and third-party agile logistics was respectively constructed. Few existing literature on third-party logistics studied from the perspective of integration. According to the objective of minimizing logistics costs before CODP, an integrated model of third-party lean logistics was constructed, which was divided into three hierarchies, from top to bottom namely the principle tier, planning tier, and tactic tier. According to the relationships of top-down guidance and bottom-up support, the main elements of every tier were detailed. Study on an integrated model of third-party agile logistics is similar to the above.(3) Decision-making model of response time-benefits of supply chain in third-party agile logistics was established. In the existing literatures there is lack of logistics time with quantitative research; however, minimizing logistics time is the most important feature of third-party agile logistics. Firstly, A supply chain was constructed, which was composed an assembly manufacturer, some (n) customers, and a third-party logistics enterprise. Then, logistics time and product price of the whole supply chain was chosen to be decision-making variables, and separately established model of response time-benefits of supply chain in decentralized and centralized decision-making. Finally, through optimal analysis and numerical computation comparison of the above two decision-making mode, the mode is found to achieve the maximization benefits of the whole supply chain.(4) Decision-making mechanism of flexibility in third-party agile logistics was established. Flexibility is another important feature of third-party agile logistics, however few literature research it. A decision-making mechanism of flexibility in third-party agile logistics was established: firstly, matching judgment on the basic elements of the flexibility with market demand to make an external decision; then, using Value Engineering method to make an internal decision based on productiveness; finally, combining the external and internal to make an overall decision.