Another functional-type structure variant is one in which the materials department controls the logistics activities (see Figure 1.13). This choice is adopted by companies that manufacture complex products (in general to order). After the production phase, the problems of distribution and marketing are limited to transport to customers, assembly operations and after-sales problems. There are often numerous materials to manage, with demand distributed over time, and the production is made up of different phases so that precise and continuous control is necessary.