ABSTRACT

Nieuwenhuis,
Shenna
(2063734)
Zuyd University of
applied sciences |
Second year
student |

SUPPLY CHAIN NETWORK

International
Business studies

DHL
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In this short assignment I will assemble an overview of the supply chain network of the company DHL
and also give a small value chain analysis.

Supply chain network

DHL is in charge of both the flow of goods and the flow of information in the supply chain
management. The flow of goods refers to the movement of items from a supplier to an enterprise
and finally to a client. Returns go through the same procedure as new products. DHL sits in the midst
of the supply chain, between upstream and downstream.
Second Tier First Tier
Customers Second Tier
Suppliers Customers
First Tier
Suppliers
Producers Retailers
Distributors
Warehouse

DHL

Customers

In the case of the company DHL the main activities that need to be managed would be the process of
planning, process of planning inventory and warehousing as well as planning of distribution.

Porter’s Value Chain

In this part of the assignment, I will break down the porter value chain starting with the primary
activities Porter divides value chain analysis into five major steps. The purpose of the five sets of
activities is to generate value that is greater than the activity's costs. Primary activities are aided by
secondary activities.

Primary Activities

- Inbound logistics

DHL provides its suppliers with transport that delivers its products to the DHL warehouse.
Collaboration with the supplier on the number of vehicles and optimized routes is meant to minimize
vehicle costs and environmental damage, creating customer trust and loyalty for both the supplier
and DHL.
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(DHL)

- Operations

DHL include the additional services being packaging, labelling, transportation, loading & unloading,
information and distribution process.

- Outbound logistics

DHL provides customers with the possibility that scheduled deliveries include real-time track and
trace. The company also provides a number of different delivery types in order to ensure increased
speed to market and/or end consumer.

(DHL)

- Marketing and Sales

DHL promotes itself as the best choice for logistical labor. DHL’s slogan, “Excellence, simply
delivered” is clear and to the point of what their main marketing goal is, namely a perfect all-round
experience with their services for every customer and supplier.

- Services
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Some of the services provided by DHL are for example that DHL operates as a powerful connected
network infrastructure as well as provides a seamless platform to customers with industry-leading
real-time visibility, network control and timely data analytics to manage and improve their global
operations. (DHL)

Secondary activities

- Human resources management

The company uses strategic resource management to address risks arising. This also includes
developments regarding women rising to executive positions. (DHL, 2020)
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Bibliography
DHL. (2020, March 10). 2019 Annual Report. Retrieved from DHL:
https://www.annualreports.com/HostedData/AnnualReportArchive/d/OTC_DPSGY_2019.pdf

DHL. (n.d.). Inbound Transport Operations. Retrieved from DHL:

https://www.dhl.com/content/dam/dhl/global/dhl-supply-chain/documents/pdf/sc_fact-
sheet_inbound-transport_en.pdf

DHL. (n.d.). Outbound Transport Operations. Retrieved from DHL:

https://www.dhl.com/content/dam/dhl/global/dhl-supply-chain/documents/pdf/sc_fact-
sheet_outbound%20transport_en.pdf

DHL. (n.d.). Service Logistics. Retrieved from DHL: https://www.dhl.com/global-en/home/our-

divisions/supply-chain/solutions/service-logistics.html