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Access a portfolio of information specifically about the Wholesale Distribution Industry including brochures, research, articles and videos. Use this content to aid in maximizing the efficiency in the sourcing, order fulfillment and distribution aspects of your supply chain.Brochures
Wholesale Distribution — Full-Service Distributor (PDF)
Receiving from thousands of suppliers and shipping to thousands of customers shouldn't leave your head spinning. Customers who want quick turnarounds, controlled costs and superior service can create a whirlwind. But with the information solutions from FedEx you can manage your entire business.
Wholesale Distribution — Specialty Distributor (PDF)
The products you ship aren't all that require special handling. As a specialty distributor, you need to handle your customers with the same level of care and attention that you do their shipments. Because they insist that you deliver on time, every time, with no errors, you need a shipping provider who can deliver all that and more.
Wholesale Distribution — Local Distributor (PDF)
Customers have huge expectations regardless of your size. When you're a local business, your customers expect you to provide personal service. Like delivery to multiple points within a building, restocking and managing of supplies, special handling for some shipments, expedited delivery for others and cost control for all.
Wholesale Distribution — DCs with Fleet-Based Distribution Network (PDF)
You can have your own fleet and still have unmet distribution needs. You can have your own fleet of trucks, sophisticated inventory-management tools and enough years in the business to run a smooth operation. Even with all that working for you, sometimes you could use an extra hand. Someone to shepherd a small shipment through customs. Meet a near-impossible delivery time for a very important customer. And help to keep costs under control. Someone who's smart, flexible and perfectly complements your distribution network. That someone is FedEx.
Wholesale Distribution — DC-Based Distribution Network (PDF)
Short product shelf-life calls for a long list of transportation solutions. When you're a distributor you're always under a time crunch. That's why you need a shipping ally who's smart, flexible and able to quickly offer the right solution for every shipment.
Wholesale Distribution — Local Distribution Network (PDF)
Being a local distributor requires a world of shipping solutions. Being a successful local distributor means providing customers with a personal level of service. From ensuring that shipments receive special attention, to delivering the right package to the right floor at the right time. That's why you need a shipping ally who's smart, flexible and has solutions for every step of the distribution network.
Tailored Solutions for the Apparel Industry (PDF)
Flexibility and timing are critical to getting apparel products to customers at just the right time. The apparel industry needs every advantage when it comes to transportation. With FedEx, you get these advantages and more.
Shipping Dangerous Goods (PDF)
Proper training is required under federal and/or state regulations to handle dangerous goods and/or hazardous materials. These materials serve as guidelines to assist properly trained shippers.
Shipping Mechanical/Automotive Parts (PDF)
Learn the minimum shipping standards for transporting mechanical and automotive parts to minimize damages and provide safe handling of critical products.
Shipping Batteries Safely (PDF)
At FedEx we understand the importance of ensuring the safe transport of batteries. Proper packaging requirements must be met to prevent problems during transport, and this brochure provides guidelines to assist in safely packaging batteries for shipment.
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Videos
Wholesale Domestic Distribution Industry Video
Wholesale International Distribution Industry Video
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Industry Research & Articles
U.S. Manufacturers Must Now Race to Win (PDF) As needs of customers throughout the globe change, companies are operating more effectively and reducing costs; however, current levels of customers service are not enough. Learn how company strategy bcomes one of seeing opportunities and racing to win.
Next Big Idea (PDF) Incorporating people from all aspects of the organization in generating new ideas can lead to many creative innovations. This article discusses tips on creating a work environment that optimizes idea generation.
Use Transportation to Improve Supply Chain Ratios (PDF)
A review of your supply chain metrics can help identify opportunities to improve your supply chain costs and efficiencies. Read this article to gain ideas on how you can evaluate inventory turns, inventory carrying costs and more supply chain ratios as you look for ways to improve your supply chain operations.
Where Are You on the Transportation Best-Practice Continuum? (PDF)
The supply chain has become a place of new and creative ideas and the focus for business differentiation and efficiency. This article provides a framework to help you review your transportation practices and assess where you may want to change your processes.
Transportation Management (PDF)
Well-managed shipping can contribute to the bottom line and top line, too. While there should be a strategic approach to shipping, too often decisions are based on the misguided view that shipping is strictly an expense. This paper outlines a framework distributors should go through to align their shipping strategy to their business strategy and lower their costs. A tool at the end of this paper will help you diagnose your company's strengths and weaknesses as it relates to shipping management strategy.
Network Optimization (PDF)
Every distributor faces a similar business challenge shipping goods, utilizing their distribution network to deliver products fast and cost effectively to ever more demanding customers while at the same time reducing inventory investment and lowering costs. The cost of managing a network averages about eight percent of sales. But cost is only one factor. There are also strategic implications as the network dictates how well distributors can provide service and quality and meet business objectives. There are some common areas that many distributors can look to to improve their networks, for example semi-fixed facility costs. More importantly, the benefits that a well-designed distribution network can generate in revenue growth, customer service and profitability needs to be carefully reviewed.
Transportation Practices Study for Distributors (PDF)
Sponsored by FedEx and the Industrial Supply Association and performed by Texas A&M University, this study highlights key findings of a benchmarking survey on companies that move product through the industrial supply chain. The study focused on costs, haul characteristics, and modes and issues facing shipping personnel in industrial distribution.
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