Improving Supply Chain in North -American Liner Board market through Demand Chain managment : Case of Metsä Board
Sakko, Auli (2014)
Lapin ammattikorkeakoulu
2014
All rights reserved
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014060612116
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:amk-2014060612116
Tiivistelmä
The objective of this thesis research is to explore the US customer demand and seek better customer and market understanding, and consequently, facilitate implementing the optimal stock levels in the market. Additionally, this thesis investigates which improvements are necessary for utilizing the common stock supply model in the US, and how the maximal availability is achieved for the US customers.
The research method in this thesis is qualitative. The theoretical framework was created through relevant literature, articles and studies dealing with Supply Chain Management and Demand Chain Management. The empirical part of the study builds on the semi structured interviews made among management level employees in the USA. In addition, the empirical data draws from the writer´s own experience and observations, especially during the working period in the US and the customer meetings.
Highly dynamic and seasonable nature of the business postulates maintaining the stock in the market to serve the highly demanding customers and serve fast deliveries. The common stock enables the company to offer good availability with ready-made products. However, finding the most optimal safety stock levels to serve the real market demand is challenging due to almost non-existent forecasting. The corrective proposals presented on the basis of this research concerns additional supply options to taking into use to support the common stock supply model.
Chapters 5.2.2, 7.1 and 7.2 containing empirical information are not published with their full contents in the Library version, since these chapters contain confidential information.
The research method in this thesis is qualitative. The theoretical framework was created through relevant literature, articles and studies dealing with Supply Chain Management and Demand Chain Management. The empirical part of the study builds on the semi structured interviews made among management level employees in the USA. In addition, the empirical data draws from the writer´s own experience and observations, especially during the working period in the US and the customer meetings.
Highly dynamic and seasonable nature of the business postulates maintaining the stock in the market to serve the highly demanding customers and serve fast deliveries. The common stock enables the company to offer good availability with ready-made products. However, finding the most optimal safety stock levels to serve the real market demand is challenging due to almost non-existent forecasting. The corrective proposals presented on the basis of this research concerns additional supply options to taking into use to support the common stock supply model.
Chapters 5.2.2, 7.1 and 7.2 containing empirical information are not published with their full contents in the Library version, since these chapters contain confidential information.