Redesigning a Physical Distribution and Logistics System: the Febal Cucine Case Study

The authors examine the questions of physical distribution and logistics management in the business industry of modular kitchens by studying the case of the Febal Group, an important brand name at the Italian and European level. More specifically, this work highlights the firm’s critical aspects of the physical distribution system and analyses its importance in the context of a manufacturing planning system that responds to the market using an Assemble To Order (ATO) logic; however there are certain specific features of this case that are particularly interesting. The article focuses on the development of a scenario with a new logic for managing areas that involve transport carriers. A series of algorithms are proposed which could be useful for future implementation of an ICT (Information and Communication Technology) tool for managing and automatically assigning orders to transport carriers and for informing customers of the product’s delivery date. Finally the integration of the solution proposed with a wider ICT toolset developed within the framework of an European project named ECOSELL is presented.