Appealing to students, newly appointed managers and experienced practitioners alike, this definitive text explains the nuts and bolts of the modern logistics and distribution world in plain language.
Richly illustrated throughout, the third edition of this popular handbook has been completely restructured and fully revised to include the most up-to-date information. Essential areas such as manufacturing logistics, integrated logistics, process design and home delivery have been re-visited to provide an in-depth, thorough understanding.
There is a new chapter on receiving and despatch within the Warehouse and Storage section, as well as an explanation of new technologies in surrounding chapters such as radio frequency indentification (RFID), voice technology, satellite crane systems and dynamic pick systems. Together with additional information and examples of warehouse design, The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management is an invaluable guide for distribution, logistics and supply-chain managers, as well as students taking logistics-related degrees and professional qualifications.
Alan Rushton graduated from the University of Warwick with a degree in Economics, after which he spent several years in industry as Raw Materials Controller with the International Synthetic Rubber Company and as a distribution executive with Rio Tinto Zinc based in London.
He studied for an MSc in Transport Studies at Cranfield University and then joined the National Materials Handling Centre, initially to carry out research into urban delivery problems and goods consolidation. He was a senior consultant with the Centre for many years, undertaking a variety of consultancy projects, specializing in transport and logistics systems and strategies. After helping to create the Distribution Studies Unit (DSU) at Cranfield, he became the Director of Studies for the MSc in Distribution Technology and Management, and Head of the DSU.
With the creation of the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Transportation (later the Cranfield Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management, CLSCM) he became the Director of Graduate Programmes for the new Centre where he set up and, for many years, ran the Executive MSc in Logistics and Supply Chain Management. He became the Director of eLearning for CLSCM and chaired the eLearning Committee for the Cranfield School of Management. As well as his research and consultancy experience in transport, distribution, logistics and the supply chain, he has lectured in Europe, the Far East, the Middle East, North America, South America and Africa. He has published widely and co-wrote the original and subsequent editions of The Handbook of Logistics and Distribution Management, which was first published in 1989. He is also co-author of International Logistics and Supply Chain Outsourcing. He has continued to undertake consultancy, both nationally and internationally, and is the Director of Dialog Consultants Ltd, a consultancy specializing in distribution, logistics and supply chain management. Alan is a Fellow of the Chartered Institute of Logistics and Transport.