Without logistics, everything stands still

Without logistics, everything stands still

Logistics is all about organising, planning, controlling and executing the flow of goods. It means ensuring that a customer receives the product on time and as required at optimum cost. So this means the right goods, time and place in the right quantities at minimum cost. Mikrocentrum lecturer Hessel Visser shares over 50 years of knowledge and experience in logistics during his course (dutch) Productieplanning, voorraadbeheer en levertijdbeheersing as well as in the various logistics books he has published. One of these books is his bestseller Working with Logistics, which has already sold almost 200,000 copies.

Scale in logistics and risks

"Without logistics, everything comes to a standstill. As an example, take the large container ship Ever Given, which was stuck in the Suez Canal. By increasing means of transport and storage, we work cheaper per unit of product, but as a result there is increased risk. That's how they say: 'Big is powerful, small is beautiful'." The container ship blocked the main channel for global trade between Asia and Europe for days. Many ships were forced to take a diversion around Africa, the other hundreds of ships stood in a traffic jam waiting for the container ship to break free. We also see the influences of the corona crisis and the war in Ukraine. This further highlighted the importance of good reliable logistics.

Role of mechanisation and automation in change

Several developments are occurring in logistics. Not only is the augmentation of transport equipment or storage evolving further in logistics, but the working environment and work is starting to change significantly with the advent of Artificial Intelligence, Blokchain, cobots, drones and electric vehicles, for example. "Mechanisation and automation have a big role to play in these changes. Manual work is increasingly becoming head work, which requires huge adjustments and diverse knowledge of the people involved," says Hessel.

"The special thing about logistics is that new ways often have to be discovered. When all kinds of problems arise, many people tend to take the same route. Take a distance and try out other roads. If you can't turn right, try going left three times. That way you still reach your goal."

Increasing knowledge about logistics

Imparting knowledge has an impact on companies and can help companies move forward: "Teaching companies about the impact of developments on logistics removes the barrier. Changes are then better accepted and implemented. In addition, people can be helped by showing how others have already taken good steps in that process" , says Hessel. "Imparting knowledge will also make the thinking and doing in the trainees grow and flourish."

Years of experience in the High Tech world

Hessel was educated at HTS and TU. Has years of experience in the high-tech world, such as Fokker and Enraf-Nonius and higher education. Was a board member at the Vereniging Logistiek Management for 9 years. He was also editor of the Handboek Logistiek and the magazine Logistiek Actueel for 12 years. In 2012, Hessel was made Knight of the Order of Orange Nassau. As an author, he has published several books on logistics, including the bestsellers 'Working with Logistics' and 'Basisboek logistiek'. The Basic Book of Logistics was even updated in 2021 with a whole new chapter on e-commerce.

Besides writing books on logistics, Hessel provides various training courses and helps companies improve their processes. "Having gained 50 years of experience, I find it wonderful to transfer this knowledge about logistics," says Hessel. "Mikrocentrum was keen for me to start sharing my knowledge and skills about logistics with trainees. I have been doing that for 11 years now, with great pleasure." The need for a suitable teacher for a training course at Fokker in Hoogeveen put Hessel in contact with Mikrocentrum. "At Mikrocentrum they wanted a suitable lecturer with knowledge about the Fokker company. As I had worked at Fokker for eight years, I knew the company well, which is how I came into contact with Mikrocentrum." Says Hessel.

Production planning, stock management and delivery time management

Do you or will you deal with (complex) logistics processes within your company? Then you know that finding the right balance between production planning, stock management and delivery times is incredibly important. An efficient relationship between these aspects leads to minimal operational costs and faster realisation of agreed delivery times. Would you like to increase your knowledge and learn more about topics such as 'logistics concepts', 'inventory management' and 'fundamentals of requirement and capacity planning'? Then check out this course page (Dutch) for more information.