The thesis initiated by building upon insights from preceding research, aiming to construct a comprehensive portrait of Bayer's most cost-intensive crop protection (CP) good lanes. A mixture of literature review and stakeholder interviews constituted the primary methodology, with Value Stream Mapping (VSM) serving as the key analytical tool to visualize processes and pinpoint pain points and critical to quality (CTQ) factors. The application of VSM, evolved to encompass broader supply chain elements due to the interconnected nature of the issues uncovered.

Several areas of improvement were revealed through qualitative research, predominantly revolving around systemic issues rather than technical warehousing indicators. These included inconsistencies in system utilization and integration, transport planning, inter-departmental communication, and the impact of external events. The thesis discovered that while quantitative data was scarce, qualitative data gleaned from stakeholder interviews provided significant insights into the supply chain's complexities.

The qualitative data was systematically quantified and categorized, resulting in a prioritization framework that assisted in identifying high-impact, low-effort solutions for immediate attention. Findings emphasized the necessity for streamlined communication channels, advanced training for system tools, and strategic decision-making to bolster the supply chain's efficiency. The thesis proposes several recommendations, such as leveraging the expertise within Bayer for inter-departmental training, exploring customer incentives for order consolidation, and fostering transparent communication to align organizational goals and improve logistical efficiency. Reflecting on the change in process, the thesis acknowledges the initial challenges in scope definition and data acquisition. It suggests that future research could delve deeper into individual regions or specific aspects of Bayer's operations to yield more site- and region-specific insights. In conclusion, while the study only covers a fraction of Bayer's supply chain, the methodologies and findings provide a scalable model for ongoing refinement within Bayer CP.