Article ID: | iaor19911993 |
Country: | United Kingdom |
Volume: | 4 |
Start Page Number: | 14 |
End Page Number: | 18 |
Publication Date: | Feb 1991 |
Journal: | OR Insight |
Authors: | Taylor T. |
Keywords: | manufacturing industries |
The Unipart Group of Companies (UGC) was formed in early 1987 following a management buy-out from BL. UGC was, and still is, heavily involved in the motor industry, and is probably best known for its work in managing and operating the parts ‘after-market’ for Rover and Jaguar cars. In fact, UGC has expanded its role: via the acquisition of a chain of motor factor outlets (quite independent of any previous ‘BL’ connection); via the organic growth of a chain of retail outlets for motor parts and allied products; and via the development of a manufacturing base in exhaust systems and fuel tanks. In adddition, the resources and skills that give Unipart the ability to service the parts requirements of Rover and Jaguar have now been integrated into a marketable full-spectrum logistics management service. This service is called Unipart demand-chain management (DCM), the name being a reflection of its focus and orientation towards the needs of the customer (demand) rather than the needs of the factory or manufacturer (supply).