Course ID
Key schedule and booking details
Length 5 Days
Location online
Fees £ 1850
Date 2026-05-18
OVERVIEW
Effective distribution logistics isn’t just about moving goods from one place to another—it’s about efficiency, precision, and strategic decision-making. Every step in the supply chain, from inventory control to transportation planning, impacts costs, service levels, and business performance.
This course is designed to provide practical, real-world strategies for optimizing logistics operations. Through case studies, interactive discussions, and proven methodologies, participants will learn how to design effective distribution networks, forecast demand with accuracy, manage inventory efficiently, and streamline transportation planning.
By the end of the course, you’ll have the knowledge and skills to reduce logistics costs, improve supply chain responsiveness, and make data-driven decisions that enhance operational efficiency.
What You’ll Learn:
Master supply chain fundamentals—from network design to inventory control.
• Optimize transportation and distribution—balancing cost, speed, and efficiency.
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• Apply forecasting and inventory strategies—ensuring product availability while minimizing waste.
This course is ideal for logistics managers, supply chain professionals, operations specialists, and business leaders seeking to enhance their logistics strategies and drive competitive advantage.
OBJECTIVES
After completing the Distribution Logistics Best Practice course, you will be able to:
• Apply effective inventory control techniques
Master quantitative methods in solving logistics problems
• Improve network and transportation design in distribution operations
• Accurately analyze and forecast customer needs and demand
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• Provide innovative solutions to vehicle routing problems in transportation systems
IDEAL PARTICIPANTS
Whether you work in supply chain management, transportation, or inventory control, this course will be the key to developing your skills.
The Distribution Logistics Best Practice course is ideal for:
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Supply Chain Managers
• Demand Forecasters
Network and Transportation Design Specialists
• Inventory Control Experts
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• Vehicle Routing Specialists
OUTLINE
Understanding the fundamentals of logistics and supply chain management is key to designing efficient distribution networks and controlling costs. Today, we focus on core principles. What is Logistics? – Defining logistics and its impact on supply chain success.
• Structure of Production & Distribution Networks – How businesses design their supply chains.
• Key Factors in Logistics Strategy:
• Competition Factors – What drives competitive logistics strategies?
• Cost Drivers – Identifying and managing key cost elements.
• Strategic Approaches – Aligning logistics decisions with business goals.
• The Role of Inventories in Distribution – Balancing availability and cost.
• Inventory Management Models:
• Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) – Understanding order optimization.
• Cycle vs. Capacity-Induced Stock – Managing stock based on demand and capacity.
• Managing Uncertainty in Supply Chains:
• Setting Safety Stocks – Planning for demand fluctuations.
• Two-Stage Decision Process in Assemble-to-Order Systems – Production planning for customized orders.
• Decision-Making in Logistics:
• Time Horizons & Hierarchical Levels – How long-term vs. short-term decisions affect efficiency.
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• Decision Approaches & Information Flows – Optimizing communication in supply chains.
DAY 2
A well-structured logistics network ensures that goods move efficiently from suppliers to customers. Today, we focus on distribution design and transportation strategies.
• The Risk Pooling Effect – How centralizing inventory reduces uncertainty.
The Role of Intermediate Nodes – Warehouses, hubs, and cross-docks in distribution.
• Optimizing Transportation Networks:
• The Role of Transit Points – Improving efficiency through strategic routing.
• Location & Flow Optimization Models – Using data to design better networks.
• Core Transportation Models:
• The Transportation Problem – Optimizing logistics costs.
• The Minimum Cost Flow Model – Managing multi-stage transportation networks.
• The Plant Location Problem – Where should distribution centers be placed?
• Advanced Optimization Techniques:
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• Integrating Nonlinear Cost Models – Managing fluctuating transportation costs.
DAY 3
Effective forecasting ensures product availability while minimizing excess inventory. Today, we explore forecasting techniques, accuracy metrics, and demand planning strategies.
• Key Forecasting Metrics & Accuracy Evaluations:
Why Forecasting Matters in Supply Chain Management – How demand predictions drive efficiency.
• Mean Absolute Deviation (MAD), Root Mean Square Error (RMSE), Mean Error (ME).
• Theil’s U Statistic – Measuring forecasting effectiveness.
• Forecasting Methods:
• Moving Average & Exponential Smoothing – Core demand forecasting techniques.
• Trend-Based Forecasting – Identifying and adjusting for market trends.
• Regression Analysis for Demand Prediction – Using historical data to predict sales.
• Forecasting New Products:
• The Delphi Method – Expert-based forecasting.
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• Lancaster & Bass Models – Predicting market adoption of new products.
DAY 4
Inventory management is about balancing service levels with cost efficiency. Today, we focus on inventory control methods, safety stock strategies, and multi-echelon coordination.
Inventory Control in Deterministic Demand Environments:
• Economic Order Quantity (EOQ) & Robustness of EOQ Model.
• The (Q,R) Model – Balancing order size and reorder points.
• Stochastic Inventory Management:
• The Newsvendor Model – Managing inventory for unpredictable demand.
• Multi-Period Inventory Strategies – Managing replenishment cycles efficiently.
• Multi-Echelon Inventory Management:
• Installation vs. Echelon Stock – Choosing the right inventory model.
• The Bullwhip Effect – How demand fluctuations disrupt supply chains.
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• Supply Chain Coordination Challenges – Aligning decision-making across logistics networks.
DAY 5
Achieving logistics efficiency requires aligning stakeholder incentives and optimizing transportation routes. Today, we focus on pricing structures and vehicle routing strategies.
Aligning Incentives in Supply Chains:
• Pricing Strategies & Double Marginalization – Managing cost-sharing between partners.
• Vertical Integration vs. Independent Retailers – How pricing structures impact logistics.
• Optimizing Inventory & Pricing Decisions:
• The Newsvendor Model in Pricing – Managing uncertainty in supply and demand.
• Reallocating Decision Rights – How incentives influence inventory and pricing.
• Vehicle Routing & Transportation Optimization:
• The Traveling Salesman Problem (TSP) – Finding the most efficient routes.
• Heuristic & Algorithmic Approaches for Vehicle Routing Problem (VRP).
• Cluster-Based Routing – Optimizing delivery schedules and reducing costs.
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• Addressing Real-World Constraints – Time windows, fleet capacity, and demand fluctuations.
Will I receive course materials?
Yes, high-quality documentation is provided to all delegates.
Do you issue certificates?
An accredited Certificate of Completion is awarded upon successful completion.
What are the course timings?
09:00–12:45 or 13:00–17:00.
How do I register and pay?
Complete the registration form on the course page and select your preferred payment method.
What is your cancellation policy?
14 days from booking for a full refund or free transfer; exceptions apply on medical grounds.
Do you offer airport transfers?
Yes, airport pick-up and drop-off to/from the hotel can be arranged.
CONSULTING SERVICES
Tailored solutions for sustainable growth
At Regent Training Centre, we deliver consultancy services designed to help organisations overcome challenges and achieve sustainable growth through practical and results-driven strategies.
