Preview

Walton Seed Company

Best Essays
Open Document
Open Document
2942 Words
Grammar
Grammar
Plagiarism
Plagiarism
Writing
Writing
Score
Score
Walton Seed Company
Introduction

Walton Seed Company is a high quality seed company whom is selling grass, flower, and vegetable seeds. The demand for the seeds is increasing. In order to fulfill orders for different customer need, Walton nowadays must provide various services to satisfy customers. Walton should achieve the 7Rs in logistics concept, right product of right quality and right quantity delivered to the right customer in right time and right place with the right cost.

The seed business is such that sales are traditionally very heavy in the spring and early summer and drop off dramatically for the rest of the year. During this period, Walton faces shortage problem with certain types of seeds. It is because the wholesalers and retailers buy large quantities prior to start of the season without evaluate the customer need.

With the growth of Wal-Mart, Home Depot, Lowe’s, and others of similar size, Walton does not sell to those stores, directly or indirectly because she targets distribute through small, family owned hardware and variety stores.

Facing demanding customers, Walton must equip herself well with customer services in order to offer the best tailor made services, provide fast, stable supply and reliable delivery and make up close relationship with customers.

Brief description of the case / business

The case is based on the current situation of Walton. The company CEO, Lisa William requests Jason Greaser, the new director of logistics to improve the customer service levels and inventory turns. Walton also wants to increase late summer and fall sales of grass seeds and perennial flower seeds, to spread out demand and avoid stockouts.

The aims of this case study are

1. Improve in-season sales forecasting and develop a logistics system that is more responsive to demand and sales.
2. Find the best logistics solution when Walton faces to the mass merchandisers.
3. Advise the standards to measuring the performance of customer service.
4. Advise



References: • Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., Aquilano & N. J., 2004, “Operations Management for Competitive Advantage”, Mcgraw-Hill, p.426-427 • Christopher M., 1998, “Logistics and Supply Chain Management”, Financial Times Pitman publishing, London, p.188 & 192 • Schaffer B., 2000, "Implementing a successful crossdocking operation", Plant Engineering, p.128-133 • Luton D., 2003, " Keep it moving: A cross-docking primer", Materials Management and Distribution, p.29 • Shanahan J., 2004, "Cross docking spruces up Urban Outfitters". Logistics Management, p.65 • Kurnia, S., Johnston & R. B., 2001, "Adoption of efficient consumer response, the issue of mutuality". Supply Chain Management: An International Journal, p.230-241. • Rohrer M., 1995, "SIMULATION AND CROSS DOCKING", Paper presented at the Winter Simulation Conference, USA • James R. Stock, Douglas M. Lambert, 2001, "Strategic Logistic Management”, McGraw- Hill Inc. • A.T. KEARNEY, 2004, "RFID/EPC Managing the Transition (2004-2007)". Retrieved on 2 May 2008, from http://www.atkearney.com/shared_res/pdf/RFID-EPC_S.pdf [pic]

You May Also Find These Documents Helpful

  • Good Essays

    Dawson Lumber Company

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages

    The Dawson Lumber Company was founded in the 1870s by the Dawson family to market the lumber on their land. In 1950, Dawson Lumber owned four small lumber yards in the Corn…

    • 1190 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Best Essays

    Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin.…

    • 3043 Words
    • 13 Pages
    Best Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    One such factor is seasonal demand. Swimsuits sell better in the spring and summer months, whereas, snow shovels sell better in the fall and winter months. Recognition of this factor helps management avoid under and over estimating stock requirements. Knowing how much inventory is needed requires historical data and mathematical forecasting equations. The seasonal inventory system fills this role and provides management accurate seasonal inventory requirement…

    • 2245 Words
    • 9 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Good Essays

    Introduction: customer service are All interactions between a customer and a product provider at the time of sale, and thereafter. Customer service adds value to a product and builds enduring relationship. in this report I will be talking about the customer service in retail for the three retailers john Lewis department store boots and pc world customer service will help deal with any problems encountered by the customer, for example if a customer has a problem regarding their goods they would ask customer service for assistance in order to tackle and solve this problem.…

    • 4955 Words
    • 20 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    In the off year Mr. Lanny holds meetings in different locations for farmers to eat and talk about seed varieties that averaged high or moderate over the competitor plot. He will love to talk with you to determine the best product that will yield for you. Without this the business would not be as successful and farmers wouldn’t plant his product. Therefore, it wouldn’t be long till the business would close down and he would…

    • 381 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Walton's vision and mission was for the stores to always have low prices. Today Wal-Mart has become one of the most successful retailers nationwide and functions all around the globe. This store was once only a grocery store, Today the company has innovated to the point where many different products and services are sold. Wal-Mart offers numerous types of products and among these is entertainment products and services, a one-stop shop. Not only can a customer get food, cloths, they can pick up a computer, software, and televisions. this organization offers services that other stores do not offer; such as, a optical area where customers can get glasses, a tire and lube are for the customers vehicle, and hunting gear. One of the most innovative services that is offered at Wal-Mart is the "Site-to-Store". This service allows the customers to purchase items online and have them shipped to the nearest store for pick-up (Wal-Mart,…

    • 842 Words
    • 4 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin.…

    • 1307 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Better Essays

    Ops-571 Assignment

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages

    References: Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.…

    • 1146 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Plant Nutrients Inc

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages

    Despite the fact that competing seed suppliers currently operate in the Lancaster region, several farmers have expressed concern around both the level of service, and the prices currently being offered. PNI’s ability to now offer a complete, bundled agronomic input solution is attractive to small and medium farms, as this will allow for a single, more competitive price than if each service were to be purchased individually. In terms of service quality, an opportunity exists for PNI to leverage their established reputation to capture dissatisfied seed-buyers, while retaining those who currently purchase from Larson. Advertising spend will be increased, and allocated in a way that will provide the sales force with the resources needed to continue to satisfy small farms, while capturing more medium farms. It is expected PNI will serve 84% of small, 14% of medium, and 2% of large-sized farms in 1999 as a result…

    • 1399 Words
    • 6 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Powerful Essays

    Walmart Unethical Behavior

    • 2348 Words
    • 10 Pages

    Walton was an entrepreneur with a vision that started his own company and made into the leader of discount retailing like it is today. Walton borrowed some money from his father-in-law and opened a variety store after serving as an Army captain in World War II. A chain of drugstores followed, Walton went into business with his brother and by 1960 the Walton’s' had 15 stores that were taking in $1.4 million a year. However, Walton soon saw a new competitor arise, which was the discount store. The Walton brothers opened their first Wal-Mart in 1962 in Rogers, Arkansas. Specializing in name brands at low prices, the chain of Wal-Mart stores sprang across rural America. Walton's management style was popular with employees and helped to spur growth. As the years past, the chain of stores grew sporadically. The sales grew to $26 billion by 1989. (Store Wars, www.pbs.org) However, as sales grew ethical standards lowered throughout the company.…

    • 2348 Words
    • 10 Pages
    Powerful Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    This case discusses the customer service initiatives of LL Bean, Inc, a US-based multichannel retailer. LL Bean had evolved from being a mail order company selling hunting boots into a leading international retailer selling apparels, home furnishings and outdoor equipment. Its endeavor was to deliver quality products at reasonable prices and offer excellent customer service to customers. In its 98-year long history, the company had preserved the customer-centric tradition set by the founder and had, over the years, molded its operational policies to provide superior purchasing experience to customers. The company believed that a satisfied customer helped build customer loyalty and encouraged repeat purchases, which were essential…

    • 311 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Satisfactory Essays

    Bottlenecks

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages

    References: Chase, R. B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N. J. (2006). Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed.). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin…

    • 356 Words
    • 2 Pages
    Satisfactory Essays
  • Better Essays

    References: Chase, R.B., Jacobs, F.R., & Aquilano, N.J. (2006). Operations Management for Competitive Advantage (11th ed). New York, McGraw Hill/Irwin.…

    • 1018 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Better Essays
  • Good Essays

    Ops/571 Week 6

    • 1445 Words
    • 5 Pages

    Chase, R.B., Jacobs, F. R., & Aquilano, N.J. (2006) Operations management for competitive advantage (11th ed). New York: McGraw Hill/Irwin…

    • 1445 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays
  • Good Essays

    The Morrison Company

    • 1011 Words
    • 5 Pages

    o Significant increases in sales and shortage of available raw material cause problems in the production process…

    • 1011 Words
    • 5 Pages
    Good Essays