... Benchmarking was started by Xerox's Manufacturing unit when it analyzed its photocopier manufacturing compared to Fuji-Xerox, an affiliate Xerox's Logistics and distribution unit benchmarked with L.L. Bean in the way it handled its materials handling and warehouse operations. This is a very famous study that became part of the first book on Benchmarking by Robert C. Camp. (Benchmarking: The Search for Industry Best Practices that Lead to Superior Performance). This book was not published until 1989, but in the meantime benchmarking was becoming indoctrinated in the Xerox system. Bear in mind that most people did not know about benchmarking at this time. 1.2 Definition of Benchmarking The term benchmark originally meant a surveyor's mark cut in a rock used as a point of reference or comparison. In a general sense, benchmarking means setting standards which act as point of reference.2 Gregory Watson (1993) quotes Roger Milliken (CEO of Milliken Company, ...

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