lastesentralisering

Lastesentralisering refers to the strategic consolidation of freight handling and inventory into centralized distribution facilities within a supply chain. The approach organizes inbound shipments to converge at one or several central warehouses before being redistributed to customers or retail locations, often using a hub-and-spoke network. In practice it combines warehousing, order fulfillment, inventory management and transportation planning, supported by information technology and warehouse automation.

Key design considerations include the location of hubs relative to suppliers and demand, capacity, service-level targets, and the use of cross-docking, where goods are sorted with minimal storage time. Information systems for inventory visibility, demand forecasting, and routing are essential to coordinate flows and minimize delays.

Benefits commonly cited are lower total logistics costs through economies of scale, higher vehicle utilization, improved stock availability and faster, more reliable order fulfillment. It can also enable standardized processes and better sustainability through optimized routing. However, challenges include significant capital investment, potential increases in inbound lead times, risk concentration, and the need for robust IT and security. The strategy may affect local suppliers and regional employment.

Lastesentralisering is used in retail, consumer goods, and e-commerce logistics, and is related to concepts like hub-and-spoke networks, centralized warehousing, and cross-docking. Performance is assessed via metrics such as total landed cost, order fill rate, on-time delivery, inventory turnover, and transport utilization.