The sink : The final basic structure of logistics
The sink is the final point of the basic structure in the logistic system. It is the reception point of goods and commodities to be transported.
Through the logistics system, goods should be changed spatially, temporally and quantitatively. To achieve this, a wide variety of logistical processes are used. This includes, for example, the transport of goods, but also storage and picking.
Goods start their change in the logistic system at the source, the delivery point. This can be, for example, a raw material producer or a small parts manufacturer. Through different connection structures, the goods or raw materials then finally reach a sink such as production. But it can also be, for example:
- One end user
- A recovery or disposal site
- A long term storage place
The sink in single-stage and multi-stage logistics systems
In a single-stage logistics system, goods travel in a direct flow from source to sink. This is usually done by a single transport.
In a multi-stage system, there is indirect flow, with multiple nodes and interfaces. Here, goods reach the sink only after several transshipments and transports.
