Over the course of multiple years, growth and the acquisition of multiple brands led to a distribution network with more than twenty 3PL providers and thirty warehouses in North America alone. These providers and warehouses were often left in place from acquisitions or from old requirements. An optimized distribution network was needed to allow for more efficient operations using an ideal number and position of DCs. This optimized network needed to account for inbound and outbound logistics patterns, varying brands and product types, volumes, and specific service requirements.

The client had been able to select Amazon DCs relatively close to the client’s own stocking locations keeping the distance and cost of Amazon deliveries minimal. However, it was expected that this flexibility might be reduced if not eliminated by Amazon which could lead to longer distances and more costly deliveries to Amazon DCs. The optimized distribution network would need to account for this contingency.

With the acquisition of multiple brands, the client had product and inventory data in various states of completeness. This data quality had to be improved and standardized to gain the full benefit of the optimized distribution network.

Ventura Group conducted a detailed hot spot analysis to identify where demand in volumetric weight was concentrated in North America. This led to the definition of preferred regions which enabled more refined discussions and location analysis based on the client’s overall strategy and logistics trends. Ventura Group then built a model to simulate the network based on known inbound and outbound flows, requirements, costs at an item and zip code level. Using this model, we worked with the client to run over 30 different distribution network scenarios which enabled us to fine tune the end-state distribution network and test for contingencies.

While some network models appeared highly advantageous initially, the model indicated that contingencies such as reduced flexibility in selecting Amazon DCs could wipe out all anticipated savings and result in higher costs than before in some of the most attractive no-contingency designs. The eventual design allowed the client to take advantage of the best of both worlds, using the initially optimal distribution network design but with the ability to easily pivot to the alternate design thus maintaining cost savings should contingencies come to fruition. In fact, one contingency became reality within months of implementation, but the client was able to effortlessly shift toward the contingency design which avoided substantial additional costs and preserved most savings

In-house vs. outsource options for warehousing and logistics services were considered but it was determined that continuing use of the outsourced 3PL vendors was most advantageous for this client. Using the blueprint of the optimized future-state distribution network, Ventura Group worked with the client in sourcing and selecting a 3PL partner with the footprint, technology, and general capabilities that aligned well with client’s operating strategy and the future-state distribution network.