LOG207: Explain Your Own Observations of the Impact of the Coronavirus Outbreak: Warehousing and Material Handling Assignment, SUSS, Singapore

Question 1

In Study Unit 1, we discussed emerging supply chain trends that are impacting warehouse operations, from the growth of e-commerce to supply chain collaboration. Now, what is weighing heavily on the minds of people everywhere in the novel coronavirus (known as Covid-19) outbreak? As of 9 March 2020, Covid-19 has spread globally to over 100 countries with over 100,000 confirmed cases and claimed more than 3,800 lives.

The impact has taken a toll on the global economy. Sectors such as manufacturing, travel and tourism, and retail have come to a standstill. Regions are in lockdown. Businesses and stock markets are nervous. Consumers are stockpiling and shelves are emptied. Supply chains are being disrupted. Of the top 10 container ports, 7 are in China, 1 in Singapore, 1 in South Korea. All 3 countries are hit by the virus.

(a) Explain your own observations of the impact of the coronavirus outbreak on the supply chain and in particular warehouse operations in Singapore. Is it business as usual?

(b) How can businesses and companies with warehouse operations cope during this outbreak? Suggest ways to deal with a crisis such as this, at least for the short-term.

(c) What lessons can you learn from such a crisis? How will you put what you have learned into practice (to your study, work or life)?

Question 2

You work for a third-party logistics (3PL) company that manages warehouse operations for several large multi-national companies. Products handled by the warehouse include fashion apparel and accessories, shoes and sportswear. The company is open to new ideas to improve its warehouse performance.

(a) The company uses conventional ABC analysis of sales to organize its picking operations. What are the shortcomings of this ABC analysis? Suggest a better way to improve the company’s picking efficiency.

(b) You observe that the amount of returned goods at the warehouse has been increasing with the increase in online sales. Apply an effective strategy to help the warehouse recover value from returned items to the best extent possible. How would your proposed plan affect existing operations? State any assumptions where needed.

(c) How would your proposed strategy benefit society or the environment at large?