Cost-reduction of complaints regarding distribution : a case study at Iggesund Paperboard

• Main Author: Holmquist, Daniel
• Format: Bachelor Thesis
• Language: English
• Published: 2006
• Subjects: Social Behaviour Law; logistik; reklamationer; transportskador; distribution; distributionsskador; logistics; complaints; complaint; management; kundservice; customer service; Samhälls-; beteendevetenskap; juridik; Luleå
• Online Access: http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:ltu:diva-51981

This report is the result of the course IET101, master thesis on the MSc programme in Industrial Management and Engineering performed at the Department of Industrial Logistics at Luleå University of Technology. During autumn and winter 2005 the author of this thesis has conducted a research at Iggesund Paperboard. Iggesund Paperboard is one of five business areas within the Holmen Group. Iggesund Paperboard produces and sells solid bleached board and folding box board. The company has customers spread across a large geographical area and produces a great amount of paperboard, therefore an extensive distribution system is needed. The distribution is made by vessels, trains and trucks to terminals and distribution centres before finally being delivered to customers. During distribution, transport damages occur. These damages correspond to an annual cost of distribution related complaints of approximately 2.5 MSEK. These complaints lead to the purpose of the thesis: to examine the cost of complaints and the complaint management system at Iggesund paperboard and furthermore to give recommendations to reduce these costs and guidelines how to improve the complaint management. To fulfil the purpose of the thesis a literature study and a collection of empirical data from the company has been accomplished. The empirical data consists of primary data, gathered through interviews with personnel at different levels at the company. The study also includes secondary data from databases and annual reports from Iggesund Paperboard. The analysis of the research show both benefits and disadvantage with the current Complaint Management System. The benefits consist of the prerequisites for a well functional Complaint Management System exists, with a well functioning organization which has awareness of the importance of Customer Service. Further, work is done continuously to improve the supply chain regarding distribution damages. The disadvantages are threefold: first and most important is that the traceability of where the damage ...