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Traphaco's Strategic Distribution Growth

Traphaco Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in Vietnam that is considering options to improve its supply chain management. It currently operates a distribution center but faces pressure to deliver products to a growing number of pharmacies and provide smaller, more frequent shipments. The options under consideration are: 1) Upgrading the existing distribution center and software. 2) Expanding warehouse management capabilities. 3) Outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider with automated warehouse management solutions.

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Quyen Nguyen
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0% found this document useful (0 votes)
132 views1 page

Traphaco's Strategic Distribution Growth

Traphaco Pharma is a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in Vietnam that is considering options to improve its supply chain management. It currently operates a distribution center but faces pressure to deliver products to a growing number of pharmacies and provide smaller, more frequent shipments. The options under consideration are: 1) Upgrading the existing distribution center and software. 2) Expanding warehouse management capabilities. 3) Outsourcing fulfillment to a third-party logistics provider with automated warehouse management solutions.

Uploaded by

Quyen Nguyen
Copyright
© All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd

RMIT 

Classification: Trusted 
 
Case study – TRAPHACO pharma

Traphaco Pharma (TRA) has grown and affirmed its position as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in
Vietnam. At present, Traphaco's flagship products such as Boganic and Cebraton (Hoat Huyet Duong Nao)
are taking the lion’s share in their respective market1. The distribution side is a major opportunity for the
vibrant pharmaceutical industry. Traphaco has worked hard to build a modern distribution system (DC) that
is now beginning to get contact with big names in pharmaceuticals and hand out their products in Traphaco's
system. Traphaco has also developed a network from more than 6,700 pharmacies in 2014 to over 27,000
pharmacies as today. The company awareness of the importance of fulfilment systems may lead to wastage or
blockade of financial resources, irrational utilization of drugs, shortage, or overage of essential medicines
among many others.

Traphaco operates in an extremely competitive environment. They face intense pressure to deliver Boganic
and Cebraton and new drugs and their profit margins are continually being squeezed. The retailers prefer
smaller and frequent shipments to a large number of DCs. Some competitors already looked at a drop-shipping
strategy, providing direct access to home and individual customers. It would be purpose-built around the needs
of the Vietnam pharmaceutical and healthcare customers. Proper storage conditions for pharmaceutical
products and paramedical supplies are crucial to maintaining their quality, safety, and efficacy. In addition,
order completion rate and customer services intensify pressures to provide premium service to a wide range
of delivery points, including hospitals, wholesalers, nursing homes, retailers and pharmacies, at a competitive
price. The SCM team has various options to consider, such as direct shipping, distributor storage and using
external 3PL services etc.
Option 1: Upgrading the existing DC to handle multiple order types and smaller delivery including individual
purchases. This ambitious plan is to create the most advanced warehouse ever built solely for healthcare
products in Vietnam. TRA started work on creating a 10,000 square-metre warehouse in Hung yen (extended
in 2025 to 25,000 square metres). Along with this strategy, TRA aims to upgrade the new warehouse
management software to enhance order visibility.
Option 2: Expanding Traphaco’s Warehouse Management to manage customers' multiple operating
procedures. The team expect the company's DC can handle 7,000 SKUs and 50,000 orders or 30 million units
per month for more than 65 major clients that distribute to around 30,000 delivery points. With the growing
e-com networks, the company is also considering investing in effective platforms to expand the sales of these
two flagships products.
Option 3: Outsourcing to a third-party fulfilment (3PL) company that can handle increasing and diverse needs
from customers. Several professional services with Warehouse Management solution (WMS) using the IBM
platform can provide automated processes and full visibility. All product movements are controlled by the
WMS solution, supported by radio-frequency (RFID) technology. These 3PL companies can accommodate
the multiple operating procedures, scalability of the growing list of clients using Advance Ship Notices
(ASNs) and importantly the WMS could manage batch control and track expiration dates—critical
functionality in the pharmaceutical industry.

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Traphaco Pharma faces challenges such as intense competition requiring them to deliver flagship and new drugs efficiently while profit margins are under pressure. Retailers demand smaller, more frequent shipments, adding logistic complexities and cost. To address these, Traphaco is exploring options like upgrading current distribution centers to support diverse and smaller order types, possibly through automation and advanced warehouse management systems. They’re also considering 3PL services for efficient logistics management, leveraging technologies like RFID and WMS for better visibility and control .

Maintaining proper storage conditions is critical for Traphaco Pharma to preserve the quality, safety, and efficacy of their pharmaceutical products. Inadequate storage may lead to degradation or contamination, affecting consumer safety, regulatory compliance, and company reputation. This necessitates a distribution strategy that ensures optimal storage solutions, possibly through advanced warehousing facilities and technologies like RFID for precise monitoring and control, thus influencing investment in upgraded distribution centers and technology for better management .

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology is significant in Traphaco Pharma's distribution strategy as it facilitates real-time tracking of products throughout the supply chain. RFID improves inventory accuracy, enhances the efficiency of logistics operations, and ensures product authenticity and safety through better batch and expiration date management. This technology supports Traphaco’s aim to streamline operations and provide reliable pharmaceutical products by enabling automated control and visibility across the distribution network .

Using third-party logistics (3PL) services offers Traphaco Pharma potential advantages like scalability to meet growing client demands and access to advanced Warehouse Management Solutions (WMS) using technologies like RFID for better product tracking and batch control. This can enhance operational efficiency and visibility across their distribution network. However, disadvantages may include loss of direct control over the fulfilment process, potential integration challenges with existing systems, and dependency on external parties which could risk operational disruptions if the 3PL providers face issues .

Traphaco Pharma plans to utilize technology by implementing advanced Warehouse Management Systems (WMS) that support automated processes and full visibility, crucial for handling complex pharmaceutical supply chains. They also intend to upgrade their warehouse management software to enhance order visibility and possibly incorporate radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. These technological integrations aim to improve batch control, track expiration dates, and optimize overall supply chain processes .

Traphaco Pharma is contemplating several strategic options for its supply chain management: 1. Direct upgrade of existing distribution centers to handle diverse orders including direct consumer purchases, which would modernize and streamline their supply process. 2. Expanding their Warehouse Management capabilities to manage larger SKU counts and high-volume orders, thus improving operational efficiency and capacity. 3. Outsourcing to third-party logistics providers equipped with advanced WMS solutions for automated processes and full visibility, which would ensure scalability and help manage complexities like batch control and expiration tracking, crucial in pharmaceuticals .

Expanding Traphaco Pharma's warehouse management to handle up to 30 million units per month could significantly improve its capacity to meet growing demand, enhancing service delivery efficiency. This scale-up can also support more complex logistical needs, including bulk handling and order customization. However, challenges may include increased operational costs, the necessity for advanced infrastructure and technological investments, and potential strains on supply chain coordination. Successfully implementing this expansion would require careful planning and resource management to balance costs with performance benefits .

Order visibility plays a crucial role in Traphaco Pharma's supply chain optimization by providing real-time tracking and management of inventory and order status. This visibility allows for better coordination and efficiency in the supply chain, minimizing delays, reducing errors, and enhancing customer satisfaction. By upgrading their warehouse management software, Traphaco aims to achieve greater order visibility, allowing them to respond quickly to market demands and distribution challenges, and optimizing their overall supply chain operations .

Traphaco Pharma has strategically positioned itself as a leading pharmaceutical manufacturer in Vietnam by expanding its distribution network significantly from 6,700 pharmacies in 2014 to over 27,000 today. This increase in distribution capability, coupled with their flagship products, Boganic and Cebraton, which dominate their market segments, has reinforced their leadership position. The company's awareness of the need for robust fulfilment systems helps mitigate financial wastage and ensures optimal utilization of resources. Furthermore, Traphaco is investing in a modern distribution system and considering multiple supply chain strategies including upgrading their distribution centers and potentially using third-party logistics services to enhance scalability and efficiency .

The competitive environment exerts pressure on Traphaco Pharma to make strategic decisions that align with market demands while maintaining cost-effectiveness. Facing intense competition, Traphaco needs to enhance distribution efficiency and accuracy to retain its market position. This environment drives them to consider upgrading their distribution centers, investing in warehouse management technologies, and potentially leveraging 3PL services to meet complex client needs and adapt to market changes swiftly. Such strategic decisions are critical in providing premium service at competitive pricing, thus maintaining their competitive edge .

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