Incorporating Quality in Logistics

Chances are, like most logistics professionals, you’re looking for creative ways to control costs, improve visibility, and increase speed to market. One solution gaining traction in the logistics arena is total quality management (TQM).

A TQM program is designed to help companies minimize waste and reduce the chance of errors in order to do things better, faster, and be more responsive to customers’ changing needs.

It is a case where little things add up. By analyzing how a box moves through the warehouse or monitoring the movements of a forklift operator during an eight-hour shift, an experienced quality management team can identify opportunities for improvement. Findings may help to improve the picking process or determine a more convenient warehouse layout.

Careful attention to minute details can have a major impact on an organization. For one CPG company, a series of LEAN initiatives across multiple facilities helped to address returns and damage product flow, reduce detention cost, minimize shipping errors and improve the efficiency of its warehouse layout – to the tune of nearly $5 million in savings.

A successful TQM program requires a significant commitment, in terms of both management attention and resources, but the return on investment can be well worth the effort.