An Overview of Different Types of Logistics Services

Logistics is integral not only to ensuring modern-day conveniences that we normally take for granted, but also to ensuring the stability of a country’s economy and ensuring that people have access to even the most basic of goods and services

Have you ever ordered anything online, be it food or any manner of products, and had them delivered to your address? If you have done so, you have different types of logistics services to thank for getting your package and/or food order shipped to your home with little more than the push of a button. And given that logistics is a key part in most if not all aspects of modern life, it is only natural that it is separated into many different categories.  This article’s purpose is to give you a brief overview of some of the different types of logistics services that you may encounter on a regular basis.

1. Procurement Logistics

• This type of logistics service pertains to the flow of raw materials for manufacturing purposes.  It was not that long ago that there were shortages in products such as computer and electronic components, and various gadgets. But most pressing of all was the shortage Personal protective equipment such as facemasks, and isopropyl alcohol, and even basic commodities like toilet paper– no thanks to the pandemic interrupting supply chains at their most fundamental level. Can you imagine lasting the day without using such items, which illustrate how integral this type of logistics service is to the functioning of our society.

2. Production Logistics

• Once the raw materials have been procured, they are then shipped to a factory to be made into various components or products, this is where production logistics comes into play, as it is the management of the flow of manufactured goods from factory of origin to its various warehouses or storage facilities where they await shipment to a wholesaler and/or retailer. It goes without saying that procurement and production logistics practically go hand-in-hand as production logistics relies on procurement more so than the other types of logistics services.

3. Sales Logistics

• To the average person, this is perhaps the quintessential type of logistics service in the Philippines, it isn’t just applicable to online shopping or a retail chain getting supply deliveries from a wholesaler. But also to sari-sari stores who often buy products in bulk and repackage them in smaller sizes to sell to customers.

4. Recovery Logistics

• Also known as reverse logistics, this deals with the return of products that customers have deemed unsatisfactory- usually due to a lapse in quality control or a manufacturing defect, in other words, rejects. It could also mean the recovery and proper disposal of hazardous materials such as toxic waste or any other forms of biohazard. 

5. Recycling Logistics

• As the saying goes, “one man’s trash is another man’s treasure”. As such this type of logistics service deals with salvaging and salvaging recyclable product components and packaging and also finding other uses for them. This particular type of logistics service has grown in importance not only in the Philippines but also worldwide in an effort to combat climate change.

Though these are by no means the only types of logistics services that you can avail, I hope this brief overview has given you enough information to hopefully dive deeper into the rabbit hole that is the world of logistics services.