Supply Chains , the centre web connecting us around the world , latest disruptions , constraints and shortages have emphasised the significance of these functions to the day to day runnings . In this timeline we look at the history of supply chain management .

1900S

Local supply chains

Prior to the first industrial revolution , supply chains were typically local and restricted to regions . As the use of railroads increased so did the distance that goods could be distributed .

1963 1960S

1950S

The National Council

The National Council of Physical Distribution Management was formed .

1963

IBM

IBM develops the first computerised inventory management and forecasting system .

Physical distribution

By the 1960s , DHL joined the growing number of logistics providers , along with FedEx in the 1970s . In this time , time-dependent freight transportation transitioned to trucks , which led to organisations coining the concept ‘ physical distribution ’.

1975

IBM

First real-time warehouse management system installed .

Supply chains continue to grow

Between the 1900s and 1950s , global supply chains started to take shape , organisations such as UPS opened their doors . Industry leaders began to look at improving manual processes , researching the use of mechanisation , and demonstrating the benefits of analytics in military logistics following World War II .

14 December 2021