Please read the article below which concerns locating near customers, and also review the Background Readings.

Crammer, L. J. & Wegfahrt, A. M., (2006). Ranked #9 proximity to major markets. Area Development Site and Facility Planning, 41(5).

Abstract:

Although a company’s location criteria and business model change  over time, it is really the customers who establish broad location  strategy. Furthermore, the business model established by most companies  will be based on customer preferences—which also change over  time. For example, the old-school model used for manufacturing included  the need to inventory raw materials and sub-assemblies at the  manufacturing site.

Then, in a 5- to 6-page paper answer the following question.

Do customers really drive location and how does this affect  logistical planning? Choose a specific industry (e.g., beer, clothing,  automobiles, etc.). Compare the location decision of a Manufacturing  company, to a Distributor, to a Retail location. How much influence does  the customer of each of these types of businesses have on the location  decision? How does this effect the logistics of each?

The paper should be 5–6 pages in length and have a cover sheet  and a reference page. Clarity of presentation is important, as well as  your ability to cover the topic in a succinct, organized manner with  research to back up your points. Use at least 3 different sources of  information and annotate your sources of information appropriately on  your references page and within the text as necessary