Pooling effects in automotive supply chains

The combined use of logistic resources, like containers, warehousing space and freight carrier, enables on the one hand cost reductions and on the other hand to stabilise processes, to make them better predictable. This is based on the fact that when using resources combined and collective, fluctuations in individual use can be compensated against each other. This article outlines possible applications and potential savings of this statistical effect for the planning and controlling of supply chains using the example of automotive industry. © Carl Hanser Verlag GmbH & Co. KG ISSN 0032–678X.