Multiple consolidation and break points

In an internationally organised business most products produced in a particular factory will be sold in a number of different countries. In order to manage the interface between the production and sales teams in each territory, long lead times may be quoted. This buffers the factory, allowing it to respond to the local variations required in the different markets. 

Consolidation is one of the key ways in which costs in pipelines can be lowered. Economies of scale are achieved when goods produced in a number of different facilities are batched together for transport to a common market. 

It is worth noting that, after arrival in LA, this process runs in reverse. The consignment will be broken down at various break points throughout North America and the goods distributed to market via hubs. 

Each leg of a journey between manufacture and the market will have a number of freight mode options. These can be broken down in simplistic terms into air, sea, rail and road. Within each of these categories lies a further range of alternative options. Each of them can be assessed for their advantages and disadvantages in terms of cost, availability and speed. When the journey along the supply chain involves multiple modes, the interface between them provides further complication. 

Draw arrows on the map showing where the flow of exports to the North American market could be consolidated. Write a brief description that explains your reasons for choosing these consolidation points and the flows between them. 

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