Abc analysis: a classification of items in an inventory according to importance defined in terms of criteria such as sales volume and purchase volume. Abc classification

Marine Cargo Insurance - Open Policy: A cargo insurance policy that is an open contract; i.e. it provides protection for all of an exporter's shipments afloat or in transit within a specified geographical trade area for an unlimited period of time, until the policy is cancelled by the insured or by the insurance company. It is "open" because the goods that are shipped are also detailed at that time. This is usually shown in a document called a marine insurance certificate.
Maritime Administration (Mar Ad): A U.S. government agency, not actively involved in vessel operation, that administers laws for maintenance of a merchant marine for the purposes of defense and commerce.
Market Demand: In marketing, the total demand that would exist within a defined customer group in a given geographical area during a particular time period given a known marketing program.
Market Dominance: The absence of effective competition for railroads from other carriers and modes for the traffic to which the rail rate applies. The Staggers Act stated that market dominance does not exist if the rate is below the revenue-to-variable-cost ratio of 160 percent in 1981 and 170 percent in 1983.
Market-Positioned Warehouse: Warehouse positioned to replenish customer inventory assortments and afford maximum inbound transport consolidation economies from inventory origin points with relatively short-haul local delivery.
Market Segment: A group of potential customers sharing some measurable characteristics based on demographics, psychographics, lifestyle, geography, benefits, etc.
Marks and Numbers: Marks and numbers placed on goods used to identify a shipment or parts of a shipment.
Marquis Partners: Key strategic relationships. This has emerged as perhaps the key competitive advantage and barrier to entry of e-marketplaces. Get the big players in the fold first, offering equity if necessary.
Mass Customization: The creation of a high-volume product with large variety so that a customer may specify his or her exact model out of a large volume of possible end items, while manufacturing cost is low because of the large volume. An example is a personal computer order in which the customer may specify processor speed, memory size, hard disk size and speed, removable storage device characteristics, and many other options when PCs are assembled on one line and at a low cost.
Master Air Waybill (MAWB): The bill of lading issued by air carriers to their customers.
Material Acquisition Costs: One of the elements comprising a company's total supply chain management costs. These costs consist of the following: