Check out our Industrial terms glossary
FCA (Free Carrier)
The term “free carrier” refers to the clause whereby the seller makes the goods available at a given place at the premises of a carrier (or at a warehouse of a forwarding agent) that has been appointed by the buyer, and agrees with the buyer that all of the costs and risks of loading and subsequent transport are the responsibility of the buyer. This formula can be used for all types of transportation operations.
Federtrasporto
Federation of transport companies which belong to Confindustria (the main association representing manufacturing and service companies in Italy)
First mile
The first mile of the journey of goods from a logistics hub to their final destination.
First-In First-Out (FIFO)
Inventory valuation method based on the concept that older materials are the first to be used.
Fixed Order Quantity
Batch sizing technique used in MRP mode when the inventory management system will always cause planned or actual orders to be generated for a fixed pre-determined quantity.
Fixed Re-order Period
Inventory management model which states that replenishment orders are issued at fixed time intervals “T” and in which the quantity that is re-ordered is designed to restore stock to predetermined levels to ensure availability for the entire period.
Fixed Re-order Point (Method)
Inventory management model based on the issuing of an order when availability is equal to the fixed re-order point, OP (Order Point). The supply batch is constant and equal to the economic order quantity (EOQ).
Foot
This is a unit of length, with anthropometric origins, which is not part of the International System of Units or SI. It is used in Anglo-Saxon countries, greatly in the United States and more sporadically in Great Britain. The dimensions of the Anglo-Saxon foot (to distinguish it from other historical units) is 0.3048 m = 30.48 cm. In the Anglo-Saxon system a foot is divided into 12 inches and represents 1/3 of a yard. It is also generally used to indicate heights in the world of aeronautics.
Forward Reserve Problem (FRP)
A problem concerning the identification of items to be placed in the picking area, how to determine the receptive potential of this area and the distribution of the available volume of the picking area among the variety of items.
Fourth Part Logistics Provider (4PL)
Operators who carry out the activities that are typically outsourced to a 3PL, but adds on additional activities (which can be administrative, checking or financial in nature) at a strategic and operational level which is connected to the logistics or in some way associated. These activities are carried out on behalf of a company who has no skills, possibility or willingness to carry them out in-house.
FPO (Fast Perfect Order)
Orders which are processed complete and on time with respect to the delivery date.
Free at destination
It indicates that the seller retains liability for loss or damage until the goods are delivered to the buyer
Free on truck (FOT)
A contractual clause of international shipping documents that deals with delivery conditions. The risks and shipping costs are borne by the supplier until the goods are loaded onto the vehicle.
Freight
Freight refers to: 1. any type of goods, items or commodities that are transported in bulk via air transport, surface transport or sea/ocean transport. 2. the amount paid for the transportation of goods via any means or the combination of transport systems.
Freight village
Infrastructure that includes a rail link, facilities for haulers and freight forwarders and warehouses for the handling and storage of goods. Many operators use this centre to exploit the advantages that come from such close proximity and also to integrate their activities. These structures are intended for intermodal transport and are not generally large. They are often managed by private individuals and tend to choose their names by borrowing heavily from the names of higher-ranking structures.
Full Container Load (FCL)
A term used to describe when a transport occupies a full container.
