Theory of constraints as a stimulus towards warehouse transformation process on the example of the distribution center

In the face of challenges faced by today’s managers, such as unreliability of processes conducted within the company, low quality of materials, too long time of fulfilling the customer orders and missing the deadlines of their implementation, the role of dynamic parameters of the warehousing as the source of competitive advantage of a modern enterprise is growing. The aim of the study is to identify and analyze the factors determining the effective implementation of the warehousing in the Distribution Center. In the research there has been adopted the following hypothesis: with the increase in the number of customer orders, which is characterized by an increasingly smaller number of assortment items, the importance of managing constraints limiting the material flow within the warehousing is increasing. The above-mentioned hypothesis is verified in accordance with the test procedure including literature research and a case study. The research results show that the Theory of Constraints is an excellent tool supporting the transformation of the warehouse management method. With the help of the Theory of Constraints it is possible to determine precisely the places in the material flow, where the adaptation actions undertaken bring down the greatest effects.