UNIT 1

 Logistics means that you manage the procurement and movement of goods and the of
storage inventory.

 It means the delivery of the goods the customer needs at the right time, in the right
place, and of the right quality.

 My definition of logistics is this: it’s to plan, organize, and manage operations that
provide services and goods.

 Logistics – that’s the purchasing, maintenance, distribution, and replacement of

material and staff.

 Logistics is the planning and support of operations such as warehousing, inventory,

transport, procurement, supply, and maintenance.

Listen to three people describing their jobs in logistics: a warehouse manager, a

freight forwarder, and a shipping operations manager. Match each job to the
correct person.

Person 1
1 My job is to organize the transport of goods either by sea, air, road, or rail.
2 An important part of the job is dealing with customer requests about the most suitable
mode of transport.
3 My responsibilities also include negotiating good shipping rates with shipping lines
and transport companies.
4 I arrange customs clearance on behalf of my clients.

Person 2
5 In my job I have to make sure that the cargo is not damaged onboard the ship or while
loading or unloading.
6 I advise customers on shipping rates and prepare quotations for our sales office.

Person 3
7 Another part of my job is to liaise with departments such as transport and production.
8 Apart from that, I ensure that vehicles, machines, and any other kind of equipment are
maintained to a high level.
UNIT 2

Listen to three logistics providers presenting their services. Complete the table.

specializes in transport mode used

Provider 1 (GFT Global Carrier)
Provider 2 (Home Tex International)
Provider 3 (Cargo Express)

1. We are one of the world’s leading transport companies with a freight volume of
600,000 containers per year.
2. We can offer our customers competitive rates with all major shipping lines.
3. With a modern fleet of vehicles, we can ensure fast, safe delivery of your
consignments.
4. Our services include order picking, packing, distribution, and handling of all
transport documentation.
5. Cargo Express is Asia’s leading provider of air freight services.
6. We work closely with air carriers around the world for the fastest delivery
available.

1. As a major non-vessel operating common carrier, we can offer our customers

competitive rates with all major shipping lines.
2. We specialize in solutions for full container loads (FCL) and less than container
consolidated loads (LCL).
3. As a specialist in home textiles, we can offer our clients customized services to
meet their needs.
4. Our team will be happy to assist you in all matters regarding your order.
5. We can provide you with tailor-made solutions for your air transport
requirements.
6. We closely co-operate with air carriers around the world and can offer our
customers a wide range of flexible and cost-effective services.

Three people describe how IT has changed their jobs. Complete their statements
with words from the box.

RFID • enter • track • mobile phone • device • digital • GPS-based • tag

1. Customer
Tracking shipments is a lot easier with SMS-Fast Track. Now I can use my mobile
phone 1 to find out where my shipment is. I just have to enter 2 my air waybill
 number on my mobile and wait a few seconds. Then I get a reply with the details
of my consignment’s current status. It’s such a great idea!
2. Truck driver
All our trucks are equipped with a GPS-based 3 truck support system now. For
me that’s a great help as I can always use maps that show me exactly where I am
and where I have to go. Obviously, it’s also useful for the company. They can
track 4 my vehicle at any time, see the route I’m taking and where I make stops.
And what’s very handy for me – the system also comes with a digital 5 camera so
I can take photos if there’s a problem while I’m on the road.
3. Manager at a trailer storage yard
I work at a trailer yard where trailers filled with packaged goods are kept until they
go out to the customers. The site is very large and we have four different areas for
trailer storage. Until the new RFID 6 tag system was introduced, it could easily
take a couple of hours to find the trailer we wanted. Now it’s a matter of minutes
to locate the vehicle we’re looking for. All we have to do now is put the tag 7 on a
trailer and use a mobile device 8 to identify it. It really saves us a lot of time.

UNIT 3:

Listen to an expert presenting an inventory management system to the managers of

a large retail store. Then say which of the statements are true ☑ or false ☒.

1. The inventory system is called CPR. F

2. It’s a sales-based system. T
3. The system co-ordinates the flow of information and goods in the logistic
chain. T
4. Young Fashion has used the system for six years now. F
5. Orders are electronically transferred to the warehouse. T
6. The store has reduced transport and inventory costs by about 25 per cent. T

1. Today I’m going to tell you something about CRP, that means continuous
replenishment.
2. I’ll also explain how it can be used to lower inventory and operational costs and to
shorten product lead times.
3. First of all, you decide what products you want to order at what stock level.
4. The system will use this information at the point of sale in the retail store.
5. The leading Russian clothes retailer Young Fashion introduced continuous
replenishment three years ago.
6. With the new system all orders are generated by computers, which process data
received from cash registers.
7. The orders are sent to the warehouse by electronic data interchange, where they
are processed.
 8. And finally the goods are delivered to the different outlets according to a
schedule.
9. Since the introduction of the CRP system, Young Fashion have managed to cut
inventory and transport costs by about 15%.
10. Moreover, errors in order processing have been reduced considerably by using
scanning technology and EDI.

7. Complete the job advertisement for a corporate procurement manager with

words from the box.

We are looking for a proactive and dynamic professional to take care of our strategic
procurement and supplier relationship management.

Reporting to the Director of Corporate Procurement, the successful applicant will be

responsible for managing both internal and external customers and for working with the
appointed 3PL providers . While liaising with the procurement team, vendors , and
related stakeholders, you will also be involved in providing business support to optimize
finance-logistics processes, order fulfillment, and logistics costs.

Other responsibilities include providing initiatives to help maximize company business

profitability and efficiency.

The ideal candidate should have a degree in supply chain management or logistics
management with a deep understanding and knowledge of the China logistics market.
You should have at least 5 years’ experience in a multinational company and you should
possess outstanding negotiation skills. Based in Macau, excellent command of English
and Cantonese is a must with Mandarin an advantage.

If you are interested in this role, please send your CV in Word format to ...

UNIT 4
6. Now complete the descriptions of intermodal transport and handling equipment
with the verbs from the box.

1.A piece of machinery used for loading and unloading containers from ships onto trucks
or rail wagons and vice versa. It is rail-mounted and can straddle at least four railway
tracks. It is motorized and can move parallel to the ship’s side.

2.A special type of device which is able to handle very heavy loads. It is used for
transferring swap-bodies and containers from rail wagons to trucks and vice versa. It has
four legs fitted with wheels and a spreader beam which can span a wide area. It can be
mounted on rails or rubber tyres and is able to straddle several rows of containers.

3.A kind of fork lift truck used in container handling. It is equipped with a spreader beam
and a lifting arm and can be used for lifting containers and piling them on top of each
other. It is very flexible and has a high stacking and storage capacity as it is able to reach
beyond the first row of containers to lift a container.

4.A rigid box made of steel which is very common in intermodal freight transport. It can
be used for transport by sea, rail, air, and road. It is available in many different versions
and sizes. For example, there are open-top and flat-rack versions. Some of them have
wheels or a bogie attached to them. The most common lengths are 20, 40, and 45 feet. It
is made to the specifications of the International Standards Organization.

8. An employee of a transport company presents some container options to a

potential customer. Listen and complete the table with the missing information.

level · tarpaulin · frame · machinery · lashing · removed · controlled · plugs

1. It comes with a timber floor and has various lashing devices to secure the load.
2. These lashing points are located horizontally at floor level .
3. It is temperature- controlled and is particularly suitable for cargo that needs
regulated or cool temperatures.
4. This is a standard container frame with a tank fitted inside.
5. As an extra, we also offer tank containers with electric plugs in case the cargo
needs cooling or heating during transport.
6. It comes with a PVC tarpaulin cover instead of a roof panel to allow loading from
the top.
7. The doors can be removed to make loading easier.
8. We recommend this special type of container for the transportation of heavy
machinery and pines.

UNIT 5
Complete the sentences with the words from the box. Then listen again to check.

1. I’m calling about the train options described on your website.

2. Could you tell me a bit more about them?
3. What would be the best rail option for us?
4. For large volumes, I would recommend using block train transport.
5. If you want to ship smaller quantities, the single-wagon option would be more
suitable.
6. If flexibility is important, I would suggest that you book the flexitrain block train
option.
7. As an alternative, I can suggest single-car transport, which is even more flexible.
8. In that case we should also consider the other block train options.
9. How much time would we have for loading?
10. At least 7 hours, but we could arrange longer loading time.

UNIT 6

Here is an extract from a manual providing rail loading instructions. Complete the
sentences with words from the box.

carefully • attention • overhanging • sure • place • examine • secure • instructions • fit •

distribute • exceeded • diagonally

1. Examine vehicle carefully.

2. Do not place items diagonally across the wagon.
3. When loading is complete, ensure that it fully complies with the instruction given
in our Rail Instructions Manual.
4. Examine load carefully and make sure it is undamaged and suitable for loading.
5. Place longer, heavier pieces on the bottom of the load.
6. Make sure that load is service.

7. Ensure vehicle is fit to be loaded.

8. Strap overhanging loads.
9. When checking the vehicle, give special attention to door securing mechanisms.
10. Examine vehicle and load carefully after loading.
11. Distribute load as evenly as possible and make sure wheels are evenly loaded.
12. Check whether vehicle capacity has not been exceeded.

UNIT 7
1. Read the text describing warehouse areas and label the areas with words from the
list.

sortation • marshalling and dispatch • receiving • collation and value-added services •

back-up storage • order picking

First of all, there is the receiving¹ area. That’s where all incoming goods arrive and
documentation is checked and recorded. Goods are often unpacked or repacked here to
make their format more suitable for warehouse handling.

The back-up storage² area holds most of our warehouse inventory.

In the order picking ³ area the goods are selected in the right quantities, that means the
quantities required by the customer. Here we also break bulk. That means, for example,
after receiving goods in large quantities (e.g. pallets), we need to pack them in smaller
separate units for the customer.

In the sortation⁴ area we deal with smaller order sizes. Sometimes several orders have
been batched together to simplify the picking process and now need to be sorted down to
individual orders.

After picking, the goods are consolidated and made ready for dispatch. Depending on the
customer’s requirements the goods may be packed into cartons or cases or they are
wrapped (i.e. stretch-wrapping or shrink-wrapping). Some warehouses also provide
special services such as labelling. This part of warehouse operations is called collation
and value-added services⁵.

The final stage in warehouse operations is the marshalling and dispatch ⁶ area. The goods
are brought together to form vehicle loads and are then loaded onto vehicles for onward
dispatch.

5. Listen to this extract from a presentation about a new warehouse management

system. Now say which of these statements is true [✓] false [X].

1. The existing system is not very efficient. T

2. They could centralize inventories in one Canadian warehouse. T
3. Cycle times can be reduced by at least half. F
4. They could reduce warehouse area from four floors to one. T
5. Print on demand allows them to print invoices in several languages. F

1. I think this new warehouse area management system WMS 2X would help us cut
costs and optimize our processes.
 2. One great advantage of WMS 2X is that we could reduce the number of
warehouses _______________ across Canada.
3. Another interesting feature of WMS 2X is customer order cycle times .
4. Warehouse management could be improved as well by transferring departments.
5. WMS 2X would also help us reduce warehouse area and ground space.
6. The could be achieved by installing an automated storage and retrieval system.
7. The new system would also enable us to track the material flow at any given
moment.
8. This allows printing of labels, brochures and customer guidelines in 25 languages.

8. Complete the descriptions of typical warehouse equipment and systems. Use the
adjectives from the box.

1. An automated guided vehicle is a driverless truck which is controlled by computer

and electrically powered.
2. IBCs (intermediate bulk containers) made of metal or plastic are rigid, but there
are also ones made of canvas, which are collapsible.
3. Cage and box pallets are fitted with corner-posts and sides. They are usually
stackable.
4. In palletized storage APR, i.e. adjustable pallet racking, is used.
5. Some products are not suitable for palletization e.g. expensive electronic items or
large and bulky items.
6. Mobile shelving is often used for smaller products in non-palletized systems.

9. Put the steps in this integrated packing location system in the correct order (1–8).
Then listen and check.

 You scan the barcode of the shipping label. 1

 The system calculates the weight of the package. 5
 You enter the system. 2
 You choose means of transport. 6
 You can put together packages.4
 The shipping labels are printed. 7
 You can see and access all positions in the container.3
 The order is complete – system prints delivery note. 8

1. After the goods have arrived at the packing location, the first step is to scan in the
barcode of the shipping box.
2. After that you enter the packing location dialogue.
3. OK. I got that. What is the next step ?
4. Well, following that you can access all positions in the picking container.
5. Once the package is complete, the system will automatically calculate the weight.
 6. That is actually the next step . The system will automatically print the shipping
labels.
7. And now we come to the last stage of this process.
8. After the order has been completed, the delivery note is printed automatically.

UNIT 8

Complete this list of documents used in foreign trade with words from the box.

1. Commercial invoice
A document that contains specific information regarding the goods shipped and
the conditions agreed between buyer and seller.
2. Certificate of origin
Document used in foreign trade which states where the goods were produced. It is
often required by customs authorities.
3. Packing list
A document which specifies the contents of any form of packaging, e.g. boxes,
containers, cartons, without indicating the value of the goods shipped.
4. Air waybill
A contract between airline and shipper. It is a shipping document which states the
terms and conditions of carriage and is also a receipt for the consignment.
5. Consular invoice
A special kind of invoice sometimes required by the importing country. It needs to
be approved by an embassy.
6. Pro forma invoice
A draft invoice which the seller prepares before the actual shipment takes place.

7 Export licence
A document which is granted by a government authority and states that specified goods
can be exported.

8 Customs invoice
A specific document required by customs in some countries e.g. US when importing
goods. It includes more details than a commercial invoice.

9 Dangerous goods declaration

Certificate prepared by the shipper/consignor which states that hazardous goods are
handled according to international shipping regulations.

10 Bill of lading
A contract between carrier and shipper which specifies the goods to be shipped and the
delivery terms. It is also a receipt of shipment and accompanies the goods until they
reach their destination.

3 There is a problem with an urgent delivery. Listen to the three phone

conversations and answer the questions.

1. Sorry, I have no idea at the moment, but I’ll find out.

2. OK, I’ll get on this straight away.
3. I’ve just checked all the documents and it seems that we used the wrong address.
4. I’m very sorry about this, Ms Egbert, but I’ll do everything I can to get this
problem sorted out.
5. I’ll get back to you as soon as I’ve spoken to the forwarder.
6. I’ve just talked to our freight forwarders here in the UK.
7. That way you should have them by Friday afternoon.
8. Would that be OK for you?
9. Yes, I’ll see to that.
10. It’s the least I can do for you.

10 Three people are talking about payment methods in their companies. Listen and
complete the table.

LOW RISK ↑ HIGH Method of How secure is it for the seller? (very
RISK payment used secure, secure, not secure)
Company A: Open account Not secure
Company B: Letter of credit One of the most secure
Company C: Advance payment The most secure

11 Listen again and say which of these statements are true ✔ or false ✘ according to
the recordings.

1. Most of their European customers expect open account facilities. T

2. Open account terms are good for the exporter. F
3. They can take out special insurance against the risk of non-payment. T
4. A letter of credit is often used for customers you have worked with for a long time.
F
5. A letter of credit is a very secure payment method. T
6. Most customers do not like advance payment. T