Freight Forwarding Company
The Market Plan Essay for Freight Forwarding Company was derived through research conducted by our Marketing Department and supervised by me, as the Director of Marketing. In anticipation of this report, we researched our competitors using primarily Internet resources and gathered data to compare our competitors' practices and services to our own. In comprising the actual Market Plan Essay we obtained research from scholarly articles and/or essays. The areas that this Market Plan Essay will cover include: the Executive Summary, the SWOT analysis, the target market, the competitors' substitutes, the pricing of our services, our channels of distribution, and our promotional budget. Our Market Plan Essay revealed that our company's areas for growth consisted of customer service, value of services, and meeting our promotional budget and throughout this essay solutions are proposed for these issues. Furthermore, the information obtained and revealed in this essay provides us with…...

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References

Colombo, Sri Lanka (1999-2007). Customer service and distribution plan. Retrieved from  http://www.smallbusiness-marketing-plans.com/distribution-plan.html .

Holland, Rob and Wolfe, Kent (2000). Understanding and developing a promotional budget.

Tennessee: the University of Tennessee. Retrieved from  http://cpa.utk.edu/pdffiles/adc47.pdf .

Southland Distribution, Inc., (2007). Southland distribution, inc.: number one in southern

Hong Kong Freight Industry
Hong Kong, located in the People's epublic of China, maintains one of the busiest freight industries in the world, largely in terms of air, rail and sea freight transporting services. While the area maintains significant cargo transport via rail and road, the two significant areas of freight movement in which Hong Kong continues to excel are its air freight industry and its sea freight industry. The city-state of Hong Kong, located in a prime position on China's south coast enclosed by the Pearl iver Delta and South China Sea, allows extensive sea freight to pass through the waters of the its naturally-deep harbor, maintaining China's busy sea freight industry. Additionally, in 2010, Hong Kong International Airport became the world's busiest air cargo terminal and is expected to continue its growth in freight transport in the years to come (PLOG, 2011, p.1). As seen in these two facets…...

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References

Business Monitor International. (2011 July 1). Hong Kong freight transport report Q3

2011. Web. Retrieved from:   / on 21 October 2011.http://www.marketresearch.com/Business-Monitor-International-v304/Hong-Kong-Freight-Transport-Q3-6444286 

Business Wire, (2011 February 8). Research and markets: Hong Kong freight transport report Q1 2011. Web. Retrieved from:   / 20110208006484/en/Research-Markets-Hong-Kong-Freight-Transport-Report on 21 October 2011.http://www.businesswire.com/news/home 

Hong Kong Trade Development Council. (2011 August 20). Freight forwarding industry in Hong Kong. Web. Retrieved from:   / 1X006NHM/1/Hong-Kong-Industry-Profiles/Freight-Forwarding-Industry-In-Hong-Kong.htm on 23 October 2011.http://www.hktdc.com/info/mi/a/hkip/en 

FedEx uses a hub and spoke system to move freight around the world. It has its main hub in Memphis, which is the 2nd-largest airport in the world for cargo movements (ACI, 2014). Several other FedEx hubs feature in the top cargo traffic rankings -- Anchorage, Pudong, Dubai, and Miami. 65% of average daily package volume is domestic U.S. shipments, hence why Memphis is the main focal point in the system (2015 FedEx Annual eport, p.21).
International operations are divided into two types -- international domestic and international export, reflecting the destination. International domestic would be, for example, a package going from Vancouver to Toronto. Export would be anything that crosses a border. The breakdown of average daily volume for international shipments are international domestic 58.8% and international export 41.2% (2015 FedEx Annual eport, p.21).

The international system is still based on the hub-and-spoke network. There are several international hubs around the…...

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References

2015 FedEx Annual Report. Retrieved May 15, 2016 from  http://about.van.FedEx.com/newsroom/global-english/FedEx-to-build-new-logistics-hub-in-shanghai/ 

ACI (2014). Preliminary world airport traffic rankings for 2014. Airports Council International. Retrieved May 15, 2016 from   -- DXB-becomes-busiest-airport-for-international-passenger-traffichttp://www.aci.aero/News/Releases/Most-Recent/2015/03/26/ACI--World-releases-preliminary-world-airport-traffic-and-rankings-for-2014 

Berman, J. (2014). UPS, FedEx receive more licenses for domestic express package services in China. Logistics Management. Retrieved May 15, 2016 from  http://www.logisticsmgmt.com/article/ups_FedEx_receive_more_licenses_for_domestic_express_package_services_in_ch 

FedEx. (2012). FedEx Express opens new facility in Dubai to meet increased shipping demand. FedEx. Retrieved May 15, 2016 from  http://about.van.FedEx.com/newsroom/meisa-english/FedEx-express-opens-new-facility-in-dubai-to-meet-increased-shipping-demand/

ailroad vs. Trucking
In this paper a comparison between the trucking and rail transportation has been carried out and the similarities and differences between the two means of transport have been discussed with regards to the supply chain. Information was collected from a wide range of sources for this literature review. Given below is the summary of scholarly research related to the topic of the paper.

Trucking vs. ailways on the context of Supply Chain

In one study, it was found by Armstrong (2001) that the prices are mostly inelastic in case of trucking. There is a need to look for other methods in order to lessen the expenses associated with 3PL's. 4 other methods through which this can be done are: end-to-end matching, visibility of shipment, mode shifting and better carrier negotiation. Main results of this study are as follows:

• The smaller shipments should be aggregated into larger ones in order to…...

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References

American Trucking Association. (2006). When Trucks Stop, America Stops.  http://www.trucking.org/ATA%20Docs/What%20We%20Do/Image%20and%20Outreach%20Programs/When%20Trucks%20Stop%20America%20Stops.pdf 

American Trucking Association. 2012. An Analysis of the Operational Costs of Trucking: A 2012 Update.  http://www.glostone.com/wp-content/uploads/2012/09/ATRI-Operational-Costs-of-Trucking-2012.pdf 

Armstrong, Richard. 2001. Economics 103PL. Traffic World. 265 (17): 23.  http://ijrcm.org.in/download.php?name=ijrcm-2-Cvol-1_issue-3_art-8.pdf&path=uploaddata/ijrcm-2-Cvol-1_issue-3_art-8.pdf 

Association of American Railroads. 2011. Great Expectations 2011: Freight Rail's Role in U.S. Economic Recorvery. https://www.aar.org/Great-Expectations/Documents/GreatExpectations2011_Final.pdf

businesses, the delivery of cargo or freight is often determined by the lowest cost provider. The provider who can offer the best value at the lowest prices garners the most business. The same is true regarding government contracts and freight orders. In the case of Sea-Land Service, Inc., they were in competition with both international and domestic shipping firms. What complicated this issue, Sea-Land contends, was the ambiguous and discriminatory nature of the business dealings surrounding potential delivery (1). Additionally Sea-Land disputes the methods of determining a "fair" and "reasonable" price.
To begin, Sea Land Service Inc. is a shipping and containerization company. It was established in 1960 and now exists as Horizon Lines Inc. As a publicly traded company. Sea-Land has a long and storied history which includes shipping numerous containers' in the Vietnam War, to various contracts with the U.S. government. One such potential contract was with the…...

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References

1) "Matter of Sea-Land Service Inc." U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) - Bea.gov Home Page. Web. 20 May 2011. .

2) "Sea-Land Service Inc." U.S. Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) - Bea.gov Home Page. Web. 20 May 2011. .

3) Insider, Business. "Horizon Inc." Business Insider. Web. 20 May 2011. .

4) "Sea-Land Service." MarketWatch - Stock Market Quotes, Business News, Financial News. Web. 20 May 2011. .

To a degree, all freight transported across vast geographic distances requires multiple modalities and methods combining land and sea. The advent of airborne shipping options in the twentieth century introduced yet another element into the portfolio of intermodal freight transport. Based on historical trends, patterns of emerging markets and consumption patterns, plus political and economic constraints, the future of intermodal freight transport will be complex, dynamic, and responsive to situational variables. One of the greatest challenges facing intermodal freight transport stakeholders includes how to respond the ever-increasing scale and scope of trade within the boundaries of existing infrastructure. Moreover, environmental and social responsibility constrains the evolution of intermodal freight transport. Increasing efficiency and cost-effectiveness are also key considerations in the future of intermodal transport.Information technology and modeling systems can tremendously enhance the ability of intermodal freight transportation consultants to conceptualize best practices. In fact, one of the cornerstones of future…...

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ReferencesChatterjee, L. & Lakshmanan, T.R. (2008). Intermodal freight transport in the United States. In Prems, Nijkamp & Konings (Eds.) The Future of Intermodal Freight Transport. Edward Elgar, pp. 34—55.Halonen, J. (2016). 6 challenges and trends in intermodal freight transport. Green Carrier.   L., Negenborn, R.R. & de Schutter, B. (2015). Intermodal freight transport planning. Transportation Research Part C: Emerging Technologies 60(2015): 77-95.Premus, H., Nijkamp, P. & Konings, R. (2008). The Future of Intermodal Freight Transport. Horthhampton: Edward Elgar Publishing.https://blog.greencarrier.com/6-challenges-trends-in-intermodal-freight-transport/ Li,

Whirlpool
Whirl Pool Supply Chain Management

Supply Chain Management

Critical appraisal of Whirlpool's Supply Chain Management

Company Overview

Products and Services

Critical review of Operations

Contribution to business performance

System Changes

Changes in Internal Forecasting Process

usiness Performance Results

Criteria for trade Partner Fit

Competitive advantage

Critical Evaluation of System

Customer Centric-Supply Chain Management System

Collaborative Supply Chain

Whirlpool's production

Current System Changes

Planning and sourcing decisions

Planning

Sourcing

Drawbacks of Whirlpool delivery system

Inventory

Delivery

Factors for taking supply chain management decision

Figure: Supply Chain Performance factors

Gap Analysis

Strategic partnership

Integration

Reduced Cost and Inventory

Future trends in home appliances supply chain management

RFID usage

RFIDs to Individual Products

Vendor Managed Inventories

Challenges for home appliances businesses in managing supply chain

Complex features

Multiple Channels Conflicts

Short life Cycles

Conclusion

ibliography

Executive summary

Whirlpool is renowned as a global electronic appliances manufacturer and marketer. The company's products and operations are present throughout the globe. The company has gained tremendous growth rate through effective implementation of supply chain methodologies. The comparison of previous results for the business reveals that an overall improvement in revenues is observed after implementation of…...

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Bibliography:

Basu, R. & Wright, J.N. 2008, Supply Chain Management, Elsevier, USA.

Chang, S.J. 2011, Sony vs. Samsung: The Inside Story of the Electronics Giants' Battle For Global Supremacy, Wiley, USA.

Coyle, J.J, Langley, C.J., Gibson, B & Novack, RA 2008, Supply chain management: a logistics perspective, South-Western Pub, USA.

Ding, S, Guariglia, A, & Knight, J. 2012, Investment and financing constraints in China: does working capital management make a difference, Journal of Banking & Finance.

Economic entities can be influenced by the area they are located in, with the entities positioned in the vicinity of economic blocks like NAFTA or the European Union being advantaged and thus more likely to engage in trade. People in North America and those in Western Europe are advantaged because of their position, meaning that the trade business they get involved in is normally more intense in comparison to the trade performed by economic entities that reside further away from economic blocks.
Security has always been a crucial matter when it came to freight transportation. However, this topic has not been given special attention until the 9/11 events, which marked the beginning of great changes in transportation policies. It previously seemed perfectly normal to check freights for illegal substances, undocumented immigrants, and piracy. Even with that, the World Trade Center events brought forward a new set of security concerns. The…...

4)

he value inherent to freight forwarding in the modern global supply chain can be stated both in terms of finances and efficiency, which ultimately has its own effect on finances and revenues, as well. hese two value elements are largely intertwined in the supply chain itself as well -- freight forwarders are better equipped to locate available shipping space at the best possible price than are individual manufacturers or even distributors (Baluch 2005). Freight forwarders essentially offer a service to both shippers and manufacturers/those in need of shipping, creating greater value for both asset-based entities in the arrangement by creating greater efficiency in the system as a whole (Baluch 2005).

5)

he seven economic drivers of transportation costs can be easily illustrated with the example of a standard laptop computer. Distance for many of these units is considerable, often requiring transport from parts of Asia to Europe and North America, with prices…...

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The freight bill, or bill of lading, is given by a shipping provider to the manufacturer or shipping originator to acknowledge the receipt of specified goods for transport, usually with certain key details of the shipping agreement including payment terms, pickup and delivery locations and often dates, and a detail of the goods to be transported (MarketTrans 2010). Though not itself a full contract, it is evidence of a contract (whether verbal or written) between the shipper and the carrier, and as it lists certain terms of the carrier's part in the venture and requires the shipper's signature it is legally binding in several regards (MarketTrans 2010).

7)

The essential goal of multi-vendor consolidation is to increase the efficiency of shipping for both

Transportation Safety
There are a number of different modes of transportation, and each mode has different safety considerations. This paper will look at road, rail, sea and air freight in particular. Obviously, there will be some safety issues that can affect any mode of transport -- human error or mechanical breakdown can happen to anything, anytime. But within each mode there will be unique risks, and it is important to understand what those risks are, in order that they be addressed effectively.

ail transport is generally considered to be one of the safer modes, but rail accidents are surprisingly common. The particular issues relating to rail tend to be issues with track maintenance, and trains taking corners too fast, both resulting in derailment. The Federal ailroad Administration provides oversight on railroad safety issues, in order to minimize the number of accidents that occur on the rails. However, derailments still occur, and they…...

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References

FRA (2015). Safety fact sheet. Federal Railroad Administration. Retrieved June 25, 2015 from https://www.fra.dot.gov/Page/P0680

Kristiansen, S. (2013) Maritime transportation: Safety management and risk analysis. Elsevier: Burlington, MA

Constantly updated information as to goods' and materials' whereabouts can also lead to more effective decisions by suppliers, consumers, and transportation firms alike, and the use of the Internet and other telecommunications systems will lead to exactly this ability to update.
Other applications for modern container tracking devices will continue to emerge as the technology becomes more refined. Tracking individual units is already possible, though expensive, but for sensitive and high-priced items this might already make fiscal sense. Security and efficiency will both continue to be improved by greater tracking abilities.

Video Intro: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5VBd7PB3rhk

This video provides an excellent yet brief version of the development of the railway, and specifically of the standardization of railway gauges, as it developed in England in the seventeenth century. This is something that is touched on only briefly in Chapter Three, towards the beginning of the section on railways, and it might seem to be of…...

In case of damage during transportation, the insurance company will cover the incurred damage. The insurance "rates are based on: the type of item(s) being shipped (class), weight, size, commercial or residential pickup or delivery. Shipper is responsible for correct shipment description & commodity code" (Freight Center, 2006). If the damage is to occur, the insurance company will solicit documents attesting the insurance contract, the payment of the established fee and a specialized consultancy of the damage produced during transportation, as well as the causes which led to the production of the damage. hen entering the Australian territory, the transporter has to prove the provenience and destination of the merchandise and pay the adherent charges. As necessary documentation, the Australian authorities will request the Security Declaration / Packing List by Sender of Unaccompanied Baggage, the Unaccompanied Personal Effects Statement, the Standard Liability Protection - Valuation Form fro Owner Packed…...

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Works Cited

Australia's Trade Relationship with China, the Canberra Times, Retrieved at   May 9, 2008http://www.austrade.gov.au/ArticleDocuments/1451/EFF_Supplement_p11_2005.pdf.aspxon 

200, INCOTERMS 2000, International Business Training,   accessed on May 9, 2008http://www.i-b-t.net/incoterms.htmllast 

2006, Damage Claims, Freight Center,   Ast accessed on May 9, 2008http://www.freightcenter.com/claims/index.html .

2008, Australian Documentation, Excess Baggage, Retrieved at   May 9, 2008http://www.excess-baggage.com/sea_freight_documentation.phpon 

Logistics Design Alternatives
Intermodal transportation essentially refers to the process of transporting passengers and cargo by means of multiple, inter-linked transportation modes. It capitalizes on the comparative advantage of the individual modes to bring about high productivity at considerably low freight costs. Intermodalism has gained prominence over recent years, and is currently an integral component of international trade and global supply chain management. The U.S. Penal Code (49 USC, Chapter 55, Sec 5501, 1998) presents the government's commitment towards delivering a National International Transportation System that is not only environmentally fit, but also economically efficient and in congruence with ongoing attempts geared at making the U.S. economy more competitive on the global front. According to David Collenette, the former Transport Minister of Canada, intermodal transportation is about efficiency and safety in transportation. Canada and Mexico are among America's leading trade partners; in fact, trade volumes between the three have risen significantly…...

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References

Dewitt, W. & Clinger, J. (n.d.). Intermodal Freight Transportation. Committee on Intermodal Freight Transport. Retrieved 15th October 2014 from  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/onlinepubs/millennium/00061.pdf 

MIT. (2014). The Export Administration Regulations (EAR). Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT). Retrieved 15th October 2014 from  http://osp.mit.edu/compliance/export-controls/the-export-administration-regulations-ear 

Weigel, K.J. & Schwartz, J.M. (2009). International Government Contractor: News and Analysis on International Public Procurement and Export Controls. Thomas Reuters, 6(4), 1-9.

Yevdokimov, Y.V. (n.d.). Measuring Economic / benefits of Intermodal Transportation. Mississippi State University. Retrieved 17th October 2014 from http://ncit.msstate.edu/PDF/7-Measuring-Economic-Benefits-of-IntermodalTransportation.pdf

Marketing (Water Fans, India)
Industry outlook

The market in India for water fans or misting fans as they are also called is problematical at best. Without doubt, the climate (except in the northern mountains) is hot; the problem is, it is also quite humid. Still, the Indian people have been looking for ways to stay cool for centuries. It was India that gave the world the slatted shutter; when air comes in through small spaces (as in shutters, adopted in the American South before air conditioning, or in lattice-work walls as in parts of India), it is cooled. Still, they did not develop a cooling system like that of that ancient omans, which did use water running through channels to create condensation. The reason, of course, is the problem of water quality. While industrial pollution has now added immeasurably to the water quality problems in India, the sluggish flow of its rivers…...

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References

Establishing New Ventures: Hiring People. (2004) Indiamart Web site. Retrieved December 16, 2004 fromhttp://finance.indiamart.com/

India. (2004) CIA World Factbook. Retrieved December 16, 2004 from  http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/in.html 

India Profile. (2004) U.S. Department of State Web site. Retrieved December 16, 2004 from  http://www.state.gov/r/pa/ei/bgn/3454.htm 

Sen, Soumik. (2004) The New Cold War. Rediff Web site, April 24. Retrieved December 16, 2004 from  http://inhome.rediff.com/money/2004/apr/24ac.htm?zcc=ar

Managing a Start Firm
Despite the recession and weak growth in the housing market, the U.S. is still one of the strongest regions for trade. The reason why is because, some of the largest developed and developing economies are conducting business with the U.S. In some form. A good example of this can be seen by looking at the below table (which is illustrating the largest import and export partners of the United States).

Largest Trading Partners of the Unites States

Country

Imports

Exports

China

Mexico

Canada

Japan

("United States," 2012)

The figures are showing how the U.S. is one of the largest countries for conducting any kind of commerce. In the case of the startup firm that we are managing, this is an opportunity to be able to expand market share. To achieve this objective requires creating a business plan that will examine the products to be imported / exported, provide a brief description of the country, the choice…...

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References

ABF Freight Systems. (2012). ABFS. Retrieved from:  http://www.abfs.com/rteguide/mexico/ 

China. (2012). CIA World Fact Book. Retrieved from:  https://www.cia.gov/library/publications/the-world-factbook/geos/ch.html 

Consumer Research. (2011). Mango.org. Retrieved from: http://www.mango.org/media/52400/consumer_research_executive_summary.pdf

Forwarder Express. (2012). Forward Express. Retrieved from: http://www.forwarderexpress.com/Price_List.html

The Indian Railway can be considered a monopoly in terms of being the major player in the Indian rail transportation sector. However, competition is necessary for improvement in terms of efficiency, service quality, and innovation. Introducing competition in certain segments of the railway sector, such as freight and passenger transport, could potentially lead to better services, increased customer satisfaction, and overall improvements in the industry. Therefore, while the Indian Railway may currently function as a monopoly, introducing competition could result in positive outcomes for both the industry and consumers.

Sources

• Competition and Market Structures in Indias Rail Transportation....

Indian Railway: Monopoly or Competition? Introduction Indian Railways, a colossal behemoth in the transportation sector, has long held a dominant position in India's rail network. With its vast network spanning the entire country, Indian Railways has been a lifeline for commuters, businesses, and the economy as a whole. However, the question of whether Indian Railways should maintain its monopoly or open the market to competition has been a subject of ongoing debate. This essay aims to delve into the issue, exploring the arguments for and against competition in the Indian railway sector. Arguments for Monopoly 1. Economies of Scale and Efficiency: Monopolies enjoy economies....

Impact of Hazardous Materials on Railroad Transportation Systems

Railroad transportation systems are crucial for the movement of goods and materials across vast distances. However, the transportation of hazardous materials (hazmat) poses significant safety and efficiency concerns that can impact the operations and well-being of railroad systems.

Safety Risks

Hazmat refers to any substance or item that poses a risk to human health, the environment, or property during transportation. Railroads transport a wide range of hazmat, including flammable liquids, corrosive chemicals, radioactive materials, and explosive substances.

The presence of hazmat increases the potential for accidents, spills, and releases that can have devastating consequences. For example:

....