Integrated Logistics and Supply Chain Management: Apple Industry

This report analyzes the supply chain management of the apple industry, specifically focusing on Washington apples. It explores the various stages of the supply chain, including sourcing from farmers, transportation via trucks and rail, warehousing, and distribution to retail outlets across North America. The report highlights the challenges faced by farmers and distributors in meeting consumer demand and the importance of an efficient supply chain for delivering the product to the end consumer. The report also mentions the impact of climate and the need for proper storage conditions to maintain the quality of the apples. References from the field of supply chain management are provided to support the analysis and provide context to the discussion.

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Supply chain management
In the current era, supply chain management is essential for both the supplier and the
manufacturer for their operations. The research on the supply chain of the Washington Apple has
been done which include the origin of the country and the way it is transported to North America
and to the retail store (Copacino, 2019). Apple is one of the essential products that are managed
by the retail companies in their outlet for which they make the purchase of the Apple product.
The origin location of Apple is Washington; they provide different varieties of apple including
red delicious, golden delicious, Gala, Granny Smith and many others.
Washington State’s climate and efficient orchard industry have made this place of
America as the largest apple producers. However, the change in the climate affects the
production of the apples in the place which leads to the fluctuation in the supply chain (Cousins,
Lawson, Petersen & Fugate, 2019). This will further affect the demand and supply of the apple in
the market which will lead to change in the price. The supply chain of apples includes sourcing
the apples from the framers of Washington as apples can be stored for up to 240 days without
spoiling in case these products are stored under particular conditions which consist of the very
low level of oxygen. However, it has been found that there are many places in which food cannot
be stored in the right manner.
The manufacturer includes the large farmers who produce the apples in bulk and then
they distribute it to the small farmers or distributor to make it available wherever the apples are
required (Meredith, & Shafer, 2019). Sometimes, it is challenging for the farmers to distribute
the product in the market because of the issues in transportation or funding.

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The research shows that Washington has built the giant controlled-atmosphere
warehouses. In addition, the transportation of Washington products shows that there is a strong
network (Black & Kennedy, 2019). The highways of the area cut through the 3 major states
which are growing and offering easy access for the refrigerated trucks. The shipping of the
apples around the US in North America is possible with the help of truck and rail, then the each
of the refrigerated truck gets on their routes for delivering it to the warehouse (Cousins, Lawson,
Petersen, & Fugate 2019). These warehouses contact with the local distribution team who further
make it available on the retail outlets. To cover entire North America, the Washington
distributors make use of the different modes to transport the products to North America and their
retail stores. It is challenging for the Washington farmers to meet the growing needs of the
countries across North America and also to their retail outlets. These apples are available in the
retail outlets for the convenience of the customers so that they can consume it. In the end, the
customer consumer the product from Washington which is possible with the help of an effective
supply chain management.

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References
Black, S. L., & Kennedy, D. M. (2019). Supply Chain Management and Native American
Entrepreneurs. Creating Private Sector Economies in Native America: Sustainable
Development through Entrepreneurship, 170.
Copacino, W. C. (2019). Supply chain management: The basics and beyond. Routledge.
Cousins, P. D., Lawson, B., Petersen, K. J., & Fugate, B. (2019). Investigating green supply
chain management practices and performance. International Journal of Operations &
Production Management.
Meredith, J. R., & Shafer, S. M. (2019). Operations and supply chain management for MBAs.
Wiley.