Glossary Term: Logistics & Operations

Outsourced logistics services provided by specialized companies, including warehousing, transport, and supply chain management. Company does not own the goods but provides logistics services on behalf of client.

Strategic logistics partner that manages entire supply chain, including coordination of multiple 3PL providers. Acts as single point of contact for complex, multi-provider logistics operations.

Customs-controlled warehouse where imported goods can be stored without paying duties/VAT until goods are released for domestic consumption or re-exported.

Temperature-controlled supply chain that maintains product quality and safety from production through transport and storage to end consumer. Unbroken “chain” of refrigeration.

Logistics practice where incoming products are unloaded from inbound vehicles and directly loaded onto outbound vehicles with minimal or no storage time. Reduces handling and warehousing costs.

The time product remains at a specific location (warehouse, terminal, dock) before moving to next stage of supply chain.

Definition FEFO (First Expired, First Out) is an inventory management principle where products with the nearest expiration dates are shipped, sold, or used first—regardless of when they arrived in inventory. Unlike FIFO (First In, First Out), which prioritises arrival sequence, FEFO focuses on actual shelf life remaining. This distinction matters. A batch of yoghurt received on Monday might expire before…

Inventory management principle where oldest products (first to arrive) are shipped/used first. Common in food and pharmaceutical cold chain.

Final leg of delivery from distribution center/depot to end customer (home, restaurant, retail store). Often the most expensive and complex part of cold chain logistics.

Freight shipping where shipment does not fill entire vehicle, sharing vehicle space with other customers’ cargo. Opposite of FTL (Full Truckload).