Varestrømmen

Varestrømmen refers to the physical movement of goods from producers to end customers. It covers the entire lifecycle of a product’s movement, including inbound logistics, warehousing, outbound distribution, and reverse logistics such as returns and recycling. The concept is a central component of supply chain management and aims to ensure that products are available where and when they are needed, at the lowest total cost and with acceptable service levels.

The scope of the varestrømmen includes procurement and production planning, storage and handling in warehouses, transportation by road, rail, sea or air, and the final delivery to retailers or consumers. It also encompasses reverse flows, such as returns, repairs and disposal. Cross-border flows introduce considerations for customs, documentation and compliance with trade regulations and standards.

Key elements involve the design of logistics networks, inventory management, and transportation planning. Technologies such as enterprise resource planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management systems (WMS), transportation management systems (TMS), barcoding, RFID and shipment tracking enable visibility and control. Performance is measured with metrics like on-time delivery, fill rate, lead time, inventory turnover and total landed cost.

Trends shaping the varestrømmen include globalization, e-commerce-driven last-mile requirements, sustainability and green logistics, resilience against disruptions, and digitalization with data analytics and automation. Regulatory compliance, safety, and environmental impact continue to influence how goods are moved, stored and delivered.