Establish a logistics center, implement line franchise, let goods and vehicles enter the market in a unified way, manage them in a unified way, and standardize the market. At the same time, the establishment of logistics center is also the objective requirement and inevitable trend of economic development.
Shanghai, Nantong, Suzhou, Nanjing, Tianjin, Qingdao and other big cities and cities in transition all have large logistics centers. Logistics center not only plays the role of turnover buffer, but also plays a certain role in maintaining market stability and standardizing market management.
The most important thing is that it has low cost and high output value.
Overview of logistics center
The word "logistics center" is used most in Asia, but it is also used in Europe and America, but less. Most of them use "distribution center", which is called "distribution center" in China. In the west, "distribution center" is more commonly used than "logistics center".
Logistics center is a node of logistics network, which has a series of functions of logistics network nodes. Grasping the meaning, type, function and position of logistics center is the basis for carrying out logistics activities and guiding logistics operation and management relying on different levels of logistics facilities.
Logistics center is the infrastructure in the logistics system. It plans, prepares, operates and perfects enterprises involving transportation, materials, commerce, foreign trade, industry, construction, agriculture, finance and other departments and industries. Different departments and enterprises have different understandings of its connotation and extension.
1, understanding of the concept of logistics center
The term logistics center is an important concept frequently used by government departments, many industries and enterprises at different levels of logistics systematization, but people in different departments, industries and enterprises have different understandings of it. To sum up, the understanding of logistics center can be summarized as the following expressions.
(1) Logistics Center is an open comprehensive logistics business infrastructure for goods storage, transportation, packaging, loading and unloading based on the requirements of the national economic system. This kind of logistics center is usually organized and operated by the group, and is generally called social logistics center.
(2) The logistics center is a cargo distribution center established under the social logistics center in order to realize the systematization and high efficiency of logistics. This logistics center accepts a large number of various commodities from suppliers, carries out classification, packaging, warehousing, distribution processing and information processing, and completes distribution and delivery operations according to the requirements of many users.
(3) The logistics center is a large-scale logistics stronghold for organizing, connecting, regulating and managing logistics activities. Because there are many kinds of logistics bases, most of them can be regarded as warehouses to provide extended services in all aspects of logistics. In order to be different from the traditional concept of static warehouse management, a new logistics stronghold involving dynamic logistics management is called logistics center. In this sense, there are many logistics centers and they are widely distributed.
(4) The logistics center is a cargo distribution center that operates social logistics business based on the transportation hub. As the freight hub is a networked operation system composed of several freight stations, it is actually a node of the social logistics network. When they have the infrastructure, mobile equipment, communication equipment, control equipment, and the corresponding organizational structure and operation mode to realize logistics services such as ordering, consulting, delivery, packaging, warehousing, loading and unloading, transit, stowage and delivery, they have the conditions to become logistics centers. This kind of logistics center is also an important part of building a regional logistics system.
(5) The international logistics center refers to a large-scale distribution place established by relying on international freight hubs (such as international ports) and engaged in logistics activities such as open goods storage, packaging, loading and unloading and transportation. International logistics center must realize the organic unity of logistics, business flow and information flow. The rapid development of contemporary electronic information technology can provide important technical support for the organic unification of the "third-rate" of international logistics centers, greatly reduce the number of documents and the cost of document processing, and improve the efficiency of "third-rate".
2. Types of various logistics centers
Summarizing the existing logistics facilities, typical logistics centers mainly include the following categories:
(1) The goods collection center is a logistics base that gathers scattered parts, raw materials and articles into a large number of goods. Such logistics centers are usually distributed in small enterprise groups, agricultural areas, fruit areas, animal husbandry areas and other areas. The main functions of the collection center are:
(1) Concentrate goods, and concentrate scattered products and articles into bulk goods;
② Primary processing, including sorting, grading, impurity removal, cutting, cold storage and freezing;
(3) transportation and packaging to meet the transportation requirements of mass production, high speed, high efficiency and low cost;
(4) Container operation: pallet series and containers are used for container operation to improve the consistency of logistics;
⑤ Warehousing, seasonal storage and storage of goods, etc.
(2) Distribution centers, such logistics centers are mostly located where products are used and consumed, or where stations, docks and airports are located. Its main functions are:
(1) Sub-packaging commodities, that is, sub-packaging large-packaged commodities into small-packaged commodities;
(2) distributing goods and delivering them to retailers and users;
(3) Goods storage, etc.
(3) Transshipment centers, mostly distributed in the nodes and hub stations of the comprehensive transportation network. The main functions of this logistics center are:
(1) cargo transfer, cargo loading and unloading transfer between different transportation equipment;
(2) cargo distribution and stowage, that is, integrating zero into a whole and stowage operations for different purposes;
③ Goods storage and other services, etc.
(4) Processing centers, such as refrigerated trucks, cold storage, coal slurry pipelines, coal slurry pressurization facilities, cement bulk trucks, prefabrication yards, etc. , can improve the quality and efficiency of logistics and reduce logistics costs.
(5) The Distribution center, also known as the distribution center (urban distribution center), is a logistics base integrating various service functions such as picking up goods, collecting goods, packaging, warehousing, loading and unloading, distributing goods, processing, information service and distribution. Distribution center is a kind of logistics center with perfect logistics function, which should be distributed on the edge of the city with convenient transportation.
(6) The material center is a place where services such as goods collection, storage, packaging, loading and unloading, distribution, delivery, information consultation and freight forwarding are carried out relying on various materials and commodity trading markets.
Differences among Logistics Base, Logistics Center and Distribution Center
Logistics base, logistics center and distribution center are three kinds of logistics nodes with different scales and levels. The main differences are reflected in the following three aspects:
First of all, in terms of scale, the logistics base is a huge logistics facility, with the largest scale, followed by the logistics center and the smallest distribution center;
Secondly, from the perspective of circulating commodities, the logistics base is more comprehensive and less professional. Logistics center is comprehensive and professional in a certain field, and has the specialty in this field. The distribution center is mainly oriented to urban life or a certain type of production enterprises, and it is very professional;
Thirdly, from the point of view of node function, the function of logistics base is very comprehensive, with large storage capacity and strong adjustment function. The logistics center is fully functional, with certain storage capacity and adjustment function. The function of distribution center is relatively simple, with distribution function as the main function and warehousing function as the supplement.
Function of logistics center
Theoretically, a logistics center can have the following basic functions:
1. transportation function: the logistics center should be responsible for selecting the transportation mode that meets the customer's needs first, and then organizing the transportation operation in the network to deliver the customer's goods to the destination within the specified time. In addition to the customer's cooperation in delivery at the delivery point, the whole transportation process, including the final local delivery, should be organized by the logistics center to make it as convenient as possible for customers. This is the demand of modern transportation.
2. Storage function. Public logistics centers need to be equipped with efficient sorting, conveying, storage and sorting equipment.
3, loading and unloading handling function. Public logistics centers should be equipped with special loading and unloading machinery such as lifting, transportation and palletizing, so as to improve the efficiency of loading and unloading operations and reduce the damage to commodities caused by operations.
4. Packaging function. The purpose of packaging operation in logistics center is not to change the sales packaging of goods, but to form a combined packaging unit suitable for logistics distribution by combining, assembling and strengthening the sales packaging.
5, distribution processing function. The basic processing functions that a logistics center must have are labeling, making and pasting bar codes, etc.
6. Logistics information processing function. Because the logistics center is now inseparable from computers, the logistics information generated in various logistics operations in all logistics links will be collected and analyzed in real time. It is very important for modern logistics centers to transmit and provide various detailed business information and consulting information to shippers.
From the specific reality of logistics centers in some developed countries, logistics centers also have the following value-added functions:
7. Settlement function. The settlement function of logistics center is the extension of logistics function of logistics center. The settlement of logistics center is not only the settlement of logistics expenses, but also the settlement of payment for goods by the consignor to the consignee in the case of agent distribution.
8. Demand forecasting function. Self-use logistics centers are often responsible for purchasing goods according to logistics centers. Shipment information to predict the number of goods in and out of the warehouse in the future, and then predict the market demand for goods.
9, logistics system design consulting function. The public logistics center should act as the logistics expert of the client, so it is necessary to design a logistics system to let the client choose and evaluate logistics service providers such as transporters and warehouses instead of the client. Some professional logistics companies in China are making this attempt, which is a service to increase the value and competitiveness of public logistics centers.
10, logistics education and training function. The operation of logistics center needs the support and understanding of the owner. Providing logistics training services for owners can cultivate the sense of identity between owners and logistics center managers, improve the logistics management level of owners, and convey the requirements of logistics center managers to owners, which is conducive to the establishment of logistics operation standards.
Of the above two types of functions, the first six basic functions require experience and strength, while the last four require wisdom and foresight.
Orientation of logistics center
Different logistics centers play different roles in different areas of logistics chain management. A complete logistics center should become the hub of regional economic circle, the support of transportation network and the center of logistics chain management.
(1) Logistics Chain Management Center. Logistics center has always been in the central position in the management of logistics chain, and plays a core role in the operation of logistics chain, guiding and controlling the rational operation of logistics chain. With the improvement of electronic information technology, the central position of logistics center in logistics chain management can be completely established.
(2) Support of transportation network. With the development and application of modern means of transportation, the space utility and time utility of goods have been fully valued and applied. The logistics center in the full sense has become an important factor to consider when choosing the mode of transportation. Air transport can be used as a means to achieve space-time efficiency. As the support of logistics network, logistics center can integrate the skeleton of the network with the flesh and blood of enterprise operation.
(3) the hub of the economic circle. Large-scale logistics center is in an important basic position in the establishment of regional economic circle.
When planning a logistics system, the following main factors should be considered:
① Background information of regional economic development. Social and economic development planning, industrial layout, industrial, agricultural, commercial and residential layout planning;
② Current situation of transportation network and logistics facilities. The present situation of traffic trunk lines, small multi-modal transfer stations, freight stations, ports and airports;
③ Urban planning. Urban population growth rate, industrial structure and layout. Improper selection of logistics centers in some cities often leads to traffic congestion, energy waste due to long transportation distance, high idle rate of vehicles and difficult dispatching.
④ Environmental protection and social sustainable development. According to the estimation of Yue Zhengyi, a professor at the University of Tokyo, the indirect economic losses caused by traffic jams in Tokyo alone amount to one trillion yen a year.
2. Preparation of logistics center
(1) Multi-financing institutions
(2) gradually improve the function of the logistics center
(3) Government departments should pay attention to macro-planning and supervision.
3. Operation of logistics center
China's economic system changed in the reform, and it is still changing. This changing trend can only meet the needs of the formation and perfection of modern logistics system. How to establish and operate a logistics center according to the needs of logistics chain management is a key problem faced by logistics enterprises involving multi-industry business and undergoing system reform.
First, the status quo of logistics development in China
1. The scale of logistics infrastructure has expanded rapidly.
Railway plays an important role in national traffic construction. In recent years, eight vertical and eight horizontal railway passages have been taken as the main skeleton of the road network to be built (eight vertical passages: Jingha, Coastal, Beijing-Shanghai, Beijing-Guangzhou, Beijing-Kowloon, Dazhan and Liu Bao-Lan Kun passages: eight horizontal passages: Jinglan? Tibet, North Coal Transportation to South, Continental Bridge, Ningxi, Jiang Yan, Shanghai-Kunming and Southwest Sea Passage). By the end of 2002, the operating mileage of China railway reached 710.5 million kilometers.
Great achievements have been made in highway construction. By the end of 2002, the total highway mileage in China had reached 1766438+ 10,000 kilometers. Expressway has a mileage of 25,200 kilometers.
In 2002, the length of inland river transportation lines reached 12 15000 km.
200 1 year, air routes 143, total length of air transport routes 1553600 km.
200 1 year, total length of oil pipeline13272km.
Many transportation hubs and logistics parks that have been built or under construction, such as the logistics base centered on Highway 45 of the Ministry of Communications, are accelerating the construction of local modern logistics parks.
2. The cargo transportation volume of the whole society continues to increase.
Under the favorable macro-economic environment, the transportation department, on the basis of continuing to deepen the system reform, vigorously carried out structural adjustment and enterprise reorganization to improve transportation efficiency and service quality, and the transportation situation developed steadily. Railway, highway and water transportation are the main modes of transportation.
3. The logistics market has great potential.
Mainly based on the following points:
(1) Automobile industry
The rapid development and structural adjustment of China automobile industry will greatly increase the demand for modern logistics services.
(2) Household appliances, electronics and communication industries
Some enterprises are establishing modern logistics systems to meet the requirements of modern mass production. The production of electronic communication equipment and computers has also developed rapidly, and many large enterprises have emerged. These enterprises have developed to the present level and are also facing the problem of logistics modernization.
(3) Business system
The development of supermarket chains has promoted the construction of distribution centers. At present, although the supermarket chain has developed rapidly, compared with similar foreign enterprises, its scale is still insufficient. Commodity distribution mainly depends on manual sorting operation. With the development of economy, the expansion of scale, the change of market demand and other factors, the requirements for logistics system will gradually increase. The total number of stores in Shanghai Hualian and Shanghai Lianhua Supermarket has exceeded 65,438+0,000.
(4) Pharmaceutical and food industries
The pharmaceutical and food industries are high-profit industries, and some enterprises, especially joint ventures, have developed rapidly. In order to improve efficiency and reduce costs, the planning and construction of logistics transportation system is also imperative.
Others, such as the tobacco industry, have generally completed the modernization of the main production line and developed rapidly. With the development of production, the modernization of logistics system will become one of the most important areas of enterprise competition.
Second, China logistics development problems
1, the logistics system is inefficient and the logistics cost is high.
China's logistics system has poor links and low operating efficiency, which reflects that there is room for improvement and improvement in transportation time, storage time and infrastructure labor productivity.
2. The matching and compatibility of logistics infrastructure is poor, and the level of logistics technology and equipment is low.
Under the influence of the traditional mode of compartmentalization and multi-head management, the planning and construction of various logistics infrastructures in China lack necessary coordination, and the matching and compatibility of logistics infrastructures are poor, resulting in weak system functions.
There are few warehouses with cold storage, fresh-keeping and modified atmosphere functions, but modern handling tools such as video forklifts are rarely used. The performance level of logistics information software developed and used by logistics enterprises is not high. Even if some software is suitable, it is sometimes incompatible with the client system.
3. The standardization construction lags behind
The lag of China's logistics standardization is mainly manifested in the lack of relevant standards and rules and regulations, and the lack of necessary efforts to promote standards.
4. Obstacles to the management system and mechanism of logistics industry in China
Due to the disadvantages of sectorization and regionalization of economic interests, the growth of networked logistics service enterprises is quite difficult in market barriers between quite a few provinces and cities in China.