Introduction to logistics

STA RTER Make a list of all the different areas of logistics you can think of by completing the diagram
below.

Five people give their definition of log istics. Complete the sentences using the words from
the box.

provide • storage • support • distribution • delivery • maintenance

1 Logistics means that you manage the procurement and movement of goods and the
___________________ of inventory.
2 It means th e ___________________ of the goods the customer needs at the right time, in the
right place, and of the right quality.
3 My definition of logistics is this: it’s to plan, organize, and manage operations that
___________________services and goods.
4 Logistics - that’s the purchasing, maintenance,___________________ , and replacement of
material and staff.
5 Logistics is the planning a n d ___________________ of operations such as warehousing,
inventory, transport, procurement, supply, a n d __________________ .
A U D IO

Listen to the recording and check your answers.

2
6 : UNIT 1 Introduction to logistics

2 Complete the following table using the words from exercise l.

Verb Noun
1 to provide
2 storage
3 to support
4 delivery
5 distribution
....................
6 to maintain
7 transportation
8 purchasing

3 Now complete the sentences with the correct form of the words from the table.

1 In my job I oversee th e ___________________ of vehicles and machinery.

2 Do they a ls o ___________________ parcels and packages on Sundays?
3 Goods are normally bought in th e ___________________department.
4 We a 24-hour delivery service.
5 This company on ly___________________ goods by road.
6 W e___________________ all our goods in the warehouse.

4 Match the definitions (a—f) with the words ( 1- 6) below.

1 carrier □
2 freight forwarder □
3 supplier □
4 haulage contractor/haulier □
5 courier □
6 consignee □
 UNIT 1 Introduction to logistics | 7

a company which carries goods by road

b person or firm named in a freight contract to whom goods have been shipped or turned over for
care
c company that specializes in the speedy and secure delivery of small goods and packages
d company that transports or conveys goods
e company which supplies parts or services to another company; also called vendor
f person or business that arranges documentation and travel facilities for companies dispatching
goods to customers
A U D IO

© 5 Listen to three people describing their jobs in logistics: a warehouse manager, a freight
forwarder, and a shipping operations manager. Match each job to the correct person.

6 Now listen again and complete the sentences.

Person i
1 My job is t o ___________________ the transport of goods either by sea, air, road, or rail.
2 An important part of the job i s ___________________ with customer requests about the most
suitable mode of transport.
3 My responsibilities also include___________________good shipping rates with shipping lines
and transport companies.
4 I ___________________ customs clearance on behalf of my clients.

Person 2
5 In my job I have t o ___________________ that the cargo is not damaged onboard the ship or
while loading or unloading.
6 I ___________________ customers on shipping rates and prepare quotations for our sales office.

Person 3
7 Another part of my job is t o ___________________with departments such as transport and
production.
8 Apart from that, I ___________________ that vehicles, machines, and any other kind of
equipment are maintained to a high level.

j
8 | UNIT 1 Introduction to logistics

Match the verbs ( 1- 8) with the activities (a-h) to make phrases from the recordings. Then listen
again to check if necessary.

1 book □
2 consolidate □
3 deal □
4 keep □
5 make □
6 use □
7 check □
8 take care □
a a number of shipments under one bill of lading
b booking reservations
c that health and safety standards are maintained
d modern computer systems
e space on a ship, train, lorry, or plane
f where to put them in the warehouse
g an eye on the budget
h with all the necessary documentation

8 Work with a partner to describe two different jobs. The phrases in the box w ill help you.

Partner A File oa, p. 71

TALKING ABOUT JOB RESPON SIBILITIES Partner B File 09, p. 72

Questions
What do you do?
What’s your line of work?
What does your job involve?
Describing jobs
I work for a major shipping company.
I work in the regional depot.
Describing responsibilities
I’m responsible f o r...
In my job I have to ...
My job involves...
Remember...
You work for or at a company.
You work in an area or a department.
You are responsible for or in charge of something.
Here are some useful verbs for describing key job responsibilities:
to advise to oversee
to prepare to provide or supply
to train to ensure
to manage to review
to estimate to liaise with
to monitor to organize
to carry out
 UNIT 1 Introduction to logistics

^ Replace the underlined verbs with words from the box that have the same meaning,

provide • train • organize • ensure • inform about • check

1 We supply software for the car industry. ___________________

2 I often advise clients on the most suitable transport method. ___________________
3 In my job I have to make sure that passengers arrive on schedule. ___________________
4 Mv job is to supervise incoming goods. ___________________
5 I also plan the transport of goods. ___________________
6 I instruct staff. ___________________

1 0 Complete the form with your own job details. Use complete sentences and expressions from
this unit.

Job profile: _________

Company: / work f o r

Job title: _________

Main responsibilities:____________

3-5 key activities:

TALKING ABOUT REGULAR ACTIVITIES

When talking about general facts and describing what we normally do,
we use the present simple. It is often used with words that say how
often something happens, e.g. usually, often, always, sometimes, every,
etc. We use the verb do to make questions and negative statements:
I work for an international logistics company.
He usually spends a lot of time with his customers.
Do you ship goods to Asia?
He doesn’t work in the European office.
10 | U N IT1 Introduction to logistics

11 Put the words in the right order. Use the correct form of the verb.

1 an excellent / provide / delivery service / my company.

2 you / how much / handle / cargo / per year ?
3 to other countries / not ship / we / chemical products.
4 responsible for / be / the warehouse manager / also / vehicles and machinery
5 to foreign companies / car parts / this vendor / supply ?
6 usually / arrange / for companies / a freight forwarder / documentation.

1 2 Work with a partner. Follow the steps below to practise this dialogue.

A Ask B what he/she does.

B Respond. Tell A where you work.
A Ask B to give you some details about thejob.
B Tell A about your main job activities. Then ask A about his/her job.
A Respond. Describe your job activities.

1 3 Complete the crossword puzzle with words from this unit.

Across
4 Another word for freight.
5 What you store in the warehouse.
6 Work closely together with someb

Down
1 Another word for organize.
2 To give information about the price
3 Another word for supervise.
5 Send goods.
 UNIT 1 Introduction to logistics | 11

U Q Q JjQ this article and answer the questions.

c h in a ’s b o o m in g e x p o r t b u s in e s s

China’s economy is developing

at a rapid pace with double-digit
growth rates in export business
and an expected increase of 40 per
cent by 2 0 1 0 . With an estimated
trade volume of nearly 2 trillion US
dollars in 2 0 0 6 , China handles
more cargo than any other country
in the world. Given these growth
rates, it is not surprising that the
Chinese logistics sector increased
by more than 12 per cent last year.

In order to support the booming

industry, the government is
currently investing massively in
the country’s infrastructure. Over
the next few years, the Chinese
government wants to improve and
extend the existing road and railway
networks as well as maritime
harbours and airports.

For transport logistics, Shanghai is one of the most attractive locations in China. It
is the second largest city in the country and has good links to the most important
industrial regions. And Shanghai is also a modern and welcoming host for visitors
and business people from China and around the world.

OVER TO YOU

1 Do you know any other countries with considerable export growth rates?
2 How does logistics play an important role in a country’s economy?
3 What do you know about the logistics industry in your country?