Maxwell Case Analysis
Submitted By – Group 7
Prakhar Singh 100 Varun S Pilla 119
Somil Joshi 113 Prajith VM 99
Tarun Gupta 117 Rakesh M 43
QUESTION - 2
Analysis of the proposed distribution channels
MODEL 1
Point to Point Model – SW Analysis
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Distribution Centre Costs are saved No Risk Pooling
Low Lead Time Higher Transportation Costs
MODEL 2
HUB and Spoke Model – SW Analysis
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Lesser Complexity vis-à-vis P2P Inflexibility in daily operations
mechanism (*)
Most efficient when spoke is closer to Distortion in one spoke may affect the
the hub whole model
Hub can focus on complex activities Effective Traffic management is needed
like
packaging thus saving the spoke’s
time
Better Scheduling of tasks Capacity of the hub is the capacity of the
network
Reduced Inventory Management May cause longer delivery time vis-à-vis
P2P
(*) Hub and Spoke Point to Point
No: of Nodes N N
No: of Routes N-1 N(N-1)/2
Complexity O(n) O(n*n)
MODEL 3
Central Ware House Model – SW Analysis
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Best Inventory Management Higher lead Time
Optimum Resource allocation Higher Transportation Costs
Economies of Scale Prone to Bull Whip effect as per
sudden change in demands
Outsourcing Model – SW Analysis
STRENGTH WEAKNESS
Lesser cycle time Lack of accountability
Decrease inventory Conflicting Interests
Helps to focus on core competencies Share of Margin
Better Cash flow Conflicts with existing channel
members
Higher Working Capital Lesser Control
Leverage 3PL’s distribution and reach Confidentiality Issues
On the basis of the above said analysis, the group would like to suggest Maxwell
Corp to go for an Outsourcing model for their distribution.
The points that substantiate them are as follows
• As discussed in the case, the point to point mechanism is having a variety
of problems.
• The hub and spoke model has a variety of positives. But the positives can
be leveraged only if the company is playing a high volume game. The
nature of product line, variability of demand pattern etc works against the
H&S model.
• The ideal location for the central ware house would be Aurangabad or
Bhopal. But as the main factory is present in Vizag, the transportation
from Manufacturing plant to Central warehouse is itself taxed with
inefficiencies as per the following facts
Average Logistics costs for a non consumer good: 10-35 % of
revenue
Average Transporting costs for a non consumer good: 60% of
Logistics Cost
Source: PRTM Consultancy
Once a decision to outsource the entire supply chain is taken, the
following pointers will keep a check on the efficiency of the proposed
model.
• Accountability – Acquire a stake hold in the 3PL so that mutual
interests are always maintained.
• Confidentiality – Post Company Personnel as interface between
company and 3PL
• Manage conflicts of the existing channel members
QUESTION – 3
Marketing and Sales Set up
Once the distribution part is well handled, the company should now
focus on the M&S part –
• Focusing on ‘Push’ selling (as product is complex and is
bought aided)
• Tie up with hospitals, clinics for popularizing the product
• Enlist the services of medical representatives for product
promotions
• Establish an effective after sales network
• Leverage the Marketing and Sales Strength of a Budget
competitor (eg. Organised retail)