Text 2 LOGISTICS Before reading the text check the meaning of the Key Words in the dictionary. Nouns: goods, flow, resources, consumer, consumption, user, product, producer, storage, retailer, inventory, warehouse, destination, re-engineering, customs, taxes, duties, logistician Verbs: to consume, to handle, to include, to require, to comprise, to produce, to manufacture, to manage, to purchase, to sell, to implement, to perform, to ensure, to increase, to decrease, to pack Logistics can be defined as the management of the flow of goods, information and other resources, energy and people between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet the requirements of consumers. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, materialhandling,packaging and security. Logistics may have an internal focus (inbound logistics), or external focus (outbound logistics). If the company manufactures a product from parts purchased from suppliers, and those products are then sold to customers, one can speak about a supply chain. Supply Chain can be defined as a network of facilities and distribution options that performs the function of procurement of materials, transformation of these materials into intermediate and finished products, and the distribution of these finished products to customers. Logistics management is part of supply chain management. Logistics management plans, implements, and controls the efficient flow and storage of goods, services and related information between the point of origin and the point of consumption in order to meet customers’ requirements. Successful supply chain operators work in close partnerships with their customers; they jointly explore the opportunities for increasing efficiency of the supply chain and improving service levels by using the latest systems and techniques. This approach is also referred to as logistics re-engineering. The re-engineering process considers the following factors: the nature of the product, the optimal or preferred location of source or manufacture, freight and transport costs and the destination market, seasonal trends, import and export regulations, customs duties and taxes, etc. A professional working in the field of logistics management is called a logistician. The main functions of a qualified logistician include, among other things, inventory management, purchasing, transportation, warehousing, consultation and organizing and planning of these activities. Logisticians are responsible for the life cycle and supply chain operations of a variety of products. They are also responsible for customs documentation. They regularly work with other departments to ensure that the customers’ needs and requirements are met. Exercise 1. Answer the questions (Устно ответьте на вопросы): 1. What does the term “logistics” imply? 2. What does the term “supply chain” imply? 3. What is logistics management? 4. What do service providers do in order to increase efficiency of the supply chain? 5. What process is called “logistics re-engineering”? 6. What factors does this process consider? 7. What are the main functions of a qualified logistician? 8. What are professional logisticians responsible for? Exercise 2. Decide whether the following statements are true or false (Определите верны ли следующие утверждения, переведите их). 1. Logistics can be defined as the management of the flow of goods between the point of origin and the point of consumption. 2. Logistics involves the integration of information, transportation, inventory, warehousing, etc. 3. All supply chains are very simple. 4. Logistics management is part of supply chain management. 5. Logistics management plans, implements, and controls the efficient flow and storage of goods, services and related information. 6. A professional working in the field of logistics management is called an academician. 7. The main functions of a qualified logistician include, inventory management, purchasing, transportation, warehousing, etc. 8. Logisticians normally do not work with other departments of the company. Exercise 3. Complete the passage below with the words from the box below (Заполните пропуски в предложениях из предложенных слов). Service chain origin activities technology outbound operational Logistics management is that part of supply 1) _____________management that plans, implements, and controls the effective forward and reverse flow and storage of goods, services and information between the point of 2) _________ and the point of consumption. Logistics management activities usually include inbound and 3) ___________ transportation management, fleet management, warehousing, materials handling, order fulfilment, logistics network design, inventory management, supply/demand planning, etc. The logistics function also includes sourcing and procurement, production planning and scheduling, packaging and assembly, and customer 4) _____________. It is involved in all levels of planning and execution – strategic, 5) __________ and tactical. Logistics management is an integrating function, which coordinates all logistics 6) ____________, as well as integrating logistics activities with other functions including marketing, sales manufacturing, finance, and information 7) ______________. 4. Домашнее задание. Написать чем вам нравится профессия логист и почему ее выбрали (не менее 10 предложений.)