Types of logistics flows

Pushed flows

The flow is said pushed when all products done during manufacturing process are sent to the consumer markets. It is thus the demand forecasts and not the actual customers’ orders that are used to dimension stock size, production plan and necessary resources for the manufacturing of products.

It is the opposite of pulled flows

Pulled flows

The flow is said pulled when all quantities to be produced are defined by the customer’s orders. It is thus the actual customers’ orders that are used to dimension stock size, production plan and necessary resources for the manufacturing of products.

The final purpose is to satisfy the customer as quickly as possible and thus to minimize the costs due to the outstanding discounted bills of stocks.

It is the opposite of pushed flows

Tense flows

The flow is said tense when a production can be directly delivered to the place of consumption without establishing any stock. The JAT (Just in Time) technique is a good example of pulled flows. Stocks are minimized because the produced quantities correspond exactly to the customers’ orders.

Synchronous flows

Very used in automotive logistics industry for big components, the flow of a given product is said synchronous when the supply of its various components is made according to their order of consumption in the manufacturing process. These components are thus delivered in Just in time, limiting stocks, handling manpower and the storage costs.