| | |  | Kanban/Materials | Home » » » » Lean Distribution: Applying Lean Manufacturing to Distribution, Logistics, and Supply Chain | | | | | | | Product Promotions: | | | | | Description: | | "Kirk Zylstra's focus on the customer is a fresh approach to lean. Companies that can bear the burden of variability will develop a strategic advantage in today's volatile market."
—Travis Jarrell Institute of Industrial Engineers Program Committee Chair"Lean Distribution is a comprehensive yet concise work with clear leanings. Kirk's experience across a range of industries brings a unique understanding of common opportunities and solutions available to optimize distribution processes. Lean techniques, typically effective in manufacturing processes, are applied in the downstream supply chain in a practical and productive manner that will offer something to any business distributing tangible goods."
—F. Jeff Duncan Jr. VP, CIO, and Director of Technology Louisiana Pacific Corp. "Lean Distribution has robustly captured the revolution occurring in today's increasingly competitive and global supply chain. Eliminating losses through lean manufacturing and lean distribution initiatives will become even more critical enablers to organizations developing cost-advantaged supply chains."
—Rick McDonald Director of Manufacturing The Clorox Company | | | Product Details: | | | Author:
| Kirk D. Zylstra | | Hardcover:
| 240 pages | | Publisher:
| Wiley | | Publication Date:
| November 11, 2005 | | Language:
| English | | ISBN:
| 0471740756 | | Product Length:
| 6.28 inches | | Product Width:
| 0.85 inches | | Product Height:
| 9.17 inches | | Product Weight:
| 1.01 pounds | | Package Length:
| 9.1 inches | | Package Width:
| 6.3 inches | | Package Height:
| 0.9 inches | | Package Weight:
| 1.0 pounds | | Average Customer Rating:
|  based on 7 reviews |
| | | | Customer Reviews: | |
Average Customer Review:
 ( 7 customer reviews )
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Most Helpful Customer Reviews
4 of 4 found the following review helpful:
A fresh perspective on Lean outside the factoryOct 15, 2006
By Eric Schmidt
I found this to be interesting read on using lean principles to streamline the supply chain between the plant and the customer. Too often, Lean (like TOC, Six Sigma, etc.) is described by its followers as the magic solution for every problem. Refreshingly, Zylstra has not only addressed a specific topic, but also hasn't claimed that it always works perfectly and should never be questioned.
From a reader's perspective, the book is well written -- the case for lean distribution is made clearly through a series of brief chapters that serve as building blocks toward a logical, cogent conclusion.
By matching my own experiences to the methods and concepts presented in the book, there appears to be a great deal of "been there, done that" behind the author's positions. Many of the clients I have worked with -- and had great success with -- could benefit from spending some time with this book and thinking about how they could further improve using the concepts covered.
Overall, a pretty strong effort from what looks like a first-time author.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 Lean Distribution is a "must have" text on supply chain optimizationApr 12, 2007
By merlin8
Zylstra has effectively packaged more than two decades of experience as a leading practitioner of production and supply chain optimization. Sharing client experiences has allowed Zylstra to add context to what at times is necessarily a technical path to getting the most out of your supply chain for both your organization and your customers. Lean Distribution is a "must have" text on how to successfully analyze and implement proven optimization techniques.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Excellent primer for how to do distribution rightJan 03, 2007
By Dan
This book is an excellent guidebook for how to setup distribution right the first time. I found many concepts inside that were highly applicable to my business which involves several different and complex distribution challenges due to compliance and lead time constraints. I would encourage anyone looking to setup a distribution network or rework one to read this book.
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
Outstanding Insights on Lean Distribution/SCM, Methodically writtenNov 16, 2006
By Tony
Kirk has done an outstanding job in decomposing the issues and content related to an area that is receiving broader attention as businesses leverage lean techniques "outside the four walls". For business models looking for advantages and cost containment opportunities, this is a good place to start to better understand the complexities and techniques associated with Lean Distribution. It is clear that he has been "around the block" with respect to seeing and developing this expertise for businesses across multiple industries and I am encouraged to see others sharing their expertise in this domain (which often lacks the attention it deserves).
Overall, well-written, methodically explained and great insights throughout. A great book to supplement any academic curriculum or Supply Chain initative in my opinion
10 of 15 found the following review helpful:
 Longwinded and lacking detailAug 02, 2006
By Derek Sage
As an experienced manufacturing and distribution consultant I was very disappointed with this book. The first half of the book goes on and on about how current distribution inputs are "bad", specifically forecasts and says the lean distribution will help solve all your problems (my exaggeration).
Unfortunately, like many lean writers, the author really doesn't give you many fresh ideas or detail, other than "lean is good". His answer to most demand uncertainty is to drop forecasting and go to period review (hardly new for the readers of Plossl and Wight), except if you have long lead time items...like anyone that sources overseas. Cutting lead times, using MAD for safety stock are other "relevations", again hardly new to anyone that has read and understood Plossl and Wight.
To be fair, this would be a good primer for someone with little distribution experience. However, if you have a reasonable amount of experience in distribution and/or inventory planning, you may not find anything new here.
See all 7 customer reviews on Amazon.com
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