Title: The intermodal and noncontainerised supply chain connecting Northern Europe to North America

Authors: Pekka Koskinen, Oksana Chistokhvalova, Olli-Pekka Hilmola

Addresses: Oy Confidea Business Consulting Ltd., Lars Sonckin kaari 10, FIN-02600 Espoo, Finland. ' Itella Logistics Ltd., Postintaival 7A, P.O. Box 4, FIN-00011 Itella, Finland. ' Lappeenranta University of Technology, Kouvola Research Unit, Prikaatintie 9, FIN-45100 Kouvola, Finland; University of Skovde, Sweden

Abstract: Intermodality is often discussed in the research literature from the point of view of containerised transports. This paper illustrates an intermodal and noncontainerised supply chain solution through the case of a Finnish paper producing company. The supply chain connecting Northern Europe to North America is analysed with respect to different transportation modes and product flows throughout the chain. After identifying the key success factors, research was carried out on the further improvement potential of the supply chain. The research results show that the pre-transport from the production to the loading port runs in a very efficient way. The longest warehousing time is in those points, where the switch in the transportation mode occurs, i.e., in the port of loading and the port of discharge. In order to lower the amount of working capital bound to the products during the extensive warehousing time, the company management needs to reconsider its supply chain management policy in general and customer relations, in particular.

Keywords: noncontainerised supply chains; paper industry; intermodal transportation; case study; intermodality; Finland; transport modes; product flows; critical success factors; supply chain management; SCM; customer relations.

DOI: 10.1504/WRITR.2009.026210

World Review of Intermodal Transportation Research, 2009 Vol.2 No.4, pp.311 - 325

Published online: 28 May 2009 *

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