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Month: December 2019

US Supply Chain Consultancy Names Head of Analytics

Posted on by Keith McKinley

US supply chain execution consultancy JBF Consulting has hired Louis Bourassa (above) to head Analytics & Optimization at the Connecticut-based firm. According to Forbes Insights/Cisco research, an impressive 85% of companies that are succeeding with analytics are seeing revenue growth greater than 7%. Less than a quarter of analytics laggards reach that percentage, according to JBF.

“We are excited at the opportunities that Louis brings to our clients. Too often we see shippers and carriers not taking full advantage of the technology and industry advances available to them. By creating the Analytics and Optimization practice we seek to work with our clients to fill that gap and take their supply chain to the next level,” said Brad Forester, founder of JBF Consulting. “Louis is the perfect fit for the job considering his background, domain expertise and love of data analytics. When you talk with Louis, you quickly realize he is someone you can trust to deliver on improving your business.”

“Talking with the leadership team at JBF Consulting, I was impressed with their depth of knowledge and the partnership they have developed with their clients,” said Bourassa. “Providing analytical and optimization support to these clients seems like a natural next step and the smart thing to do.”

Bourassa has a diverse 25-year background in a mix of industry, consulting and software roles that allowed him to develop a strong business acumen and expert knowledge of supply chain analysis and design. Industries covered include Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, Retail, Wholesale, Distribution, Software, Chemical and Metallurgical. Prior to joining JBF Consulting, Louis held roles as an Associate Director at the Boston Consulting Group, Senior Manager at Chainalytics and Technical Account Manager at IBM. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from McGill University in addition to a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from MIT.

US Supply Chain Consultancy Names Head of Analytics

Posted on by David Priestman

US supply chain execution consultancy JBF Consulting has hired Louis Bourassa (above) to head Analytics & Optimization at the Connecticut-based firm. According to Forbes Insights/Cisco research, an impressive 85% of companies that are succeeding with analytics are seeing revenue growth greater than 7%. Less than a quarter of analytics laggards reach that percentage, according to JBF.

“We are excited at the opportunities that Louis brings to our clients. Too often we see shippers and carriers not taking full advantage of the technology and industry advances available to them. By creating the Analytics and Optimization practice we seek to work with our clients to fill that gap and take their supply chain to the next level,” said Brad Forester, founder of JBF Consulting. “Louis is the perfect fit for the job considering his background, domain expertise and love of data analytics. When you talk with Louis, you quickly realize he is someone you can trust to deliver on improving your business.”

“Talking with the leadership team at JBF Consulting, I was impressed with their depth of knowledge and the partnership they have developed with their clients,” said Bourassa. “Providing analytical and optimization support to these clients seems like a natural next step and the smart thing to do.”

Bourassa has a diverse 25-year background in a mix of industry, consulting and software roles that allowed him to develop a strong business acumen and expert knowledge of supply chain analysis and design. Industries covered include Consumer Goods, Industrial Goods, Retail, Wholesale, Distribution, Software, Chemical and Metallurgical. Prior to joining JBF Consulting, Louis held roles as an Associate Director at the Boston Consulting Group, Senior Manager at Chainalytics and Technical Account Manager at IBM. He holds a Bachelor and Master’s degrees in Metallurgical Engineering from McGill University in addition to a Master’s degree in Supply Chain Management from MIT.

“Fewer DC Workers, But More Skilled Openings” Claims Employment Report

Posted on by Keith McKinley

A new employment report by logstics real estate firm Prologis UK has revealed the impact of e-commerce and automation in distribution warehouses in England, claiming that as the overall number of workers shrinks, the opportunity for more skilled positions increases.

Employing more than 1.5 million people and contributing £124 billion to the UK economy, the logistics sector is important to Britain’s economic outlook. Like many other industries, however, technological disruption combined with Brexit uncertainty is affecting access to skilled workers and this is a key issue for many employers. In undertaking this research, Prologis UK is aiming to shine a light on the nature of employment within modern distribution centres and support its customers in finding new ways to recruit and retain employees.

A study of 33 distribution centres in England, employing more than 7,200 people, has revealed that fewer people were employed per square metre of floor space in 2018 than at any time since the research initiative by Prologis UK began in 2006. According to the study, which is repeated every four years, just one person was employed per 95 square metres of floor space in 2018, compared to one person per 69 square metres in 2014 – a 27 percent reduction.

An analysis of the nature of employment that exists in distribution centres has revealed that the proportion of workers in office-based positions doubled over a four-year period – rising from 13 percent of those employed in a distribution centre in 2014, to 25 percent in 2018. The proportion of workers in managerial posts also increased – up from 8 percent in 2014 to 12 percent in 2018.

The data also reveals a marked shift in favour of the employment of part-time workers. More than one in five (22 percent) workers employed by the respondents in 2018 was ‘part time’, compared to just one in ten (11 percent) in 2014.

Robin Woodbridge, head of capital deployment at Prologis UK, said:

“The rapid uptake of technologies such as automation and robotics appears to have led to a decline in the overall number of workers at the distribution centres we surveyed. However, it has also changed the nature of employment available – with a higher proportion of office-based, technological and managerial posts.

“Working in a modern warehouse or distribution centre can now be viewed as an upwardly-mobile career. Demand for skills in areas such as data management and analysis, as well as digital systems for use in optimising shift patterns or inventory management, has increased significantly. This growing demand is helping to drive-up pay in the sector and create more attractive career opportunities for workers with digital and managerial skills.

“The shift in favour of part-time workers may reflect the fact that one in three workers (34 percent) are women, who may be attracted by more flexible working arrangements.

“The distribution industry is undergoing a major transformation, which is pushing jobs up the value chain and the properties we develop now must be fit for the long term. If the industry is going to succeed in attracting and retaining skilled workers in an increasingly competitive labour market, it must provide workspaces that offer the whole package. Warehouses can’t just be cleaner and more energy efficient, they must also promote health and wellbeing, with plenty of daylight and added value benefits such as an onsite coffee shop and a gym. Certainly, at Prologis, the wellbeing of employees is central to our Park Life offering and the range of services and features we provide on our Prologis Parks are designed to help our customers attract and retain employees. Without this focus on creating greener, more people-centric buildings, the industry’s transformation will be incomplete.”

Mawani and DP World Sign Container Terminals Deal for Jeddah Port

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Saudi ports authority company Mawani is to sign a deal with global port operator DP World and regional port operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) to develop and operate the container terminals at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) contracts, are set to be signed before the end of 2019. Mawani says this project “highlights an advanced phase of development pursued by Mawani through which it seeks to strengthen its partnerships with the private sector and elevate its capabilities, operational capacities, and competitive offerings.”

Mawani and DP World Sign Container Terminals Deal for Jeddah Port

Posted on by David Priestman

Saudi ports authority company Mawani is to sign a deal with global port operator DP World and regional port operator Red Sea Gateway Terminal (RSGT) to develop and operate the container terminals at Jeddah Islamic Port.

The Build, Operate, and Transfer (BOT) contracts, are set to be signed before the end of 2019. Mawani says this project “highlights an advanced phase of development pursued by Mawani through which it seeks to strengthen its partnerships with the private sector and elevate its capabilities, operational capacities, and competitive offerings.”

Express Deliveries “Rise Almost 7000% at Christmas” Claims Research

Posted on by Keith McKinley

New research reveals the huge additional pressure retailers face during the festive season in terms of order processing and shipping, it is claimed.

The number of requests by customers for express delivery from retailers increases by 6,981% just before Christmas compared with the average for the rest of the year, according to a recently released survey by post-purchase communication specialists parcelLab.

The study analyses data from over 112 million parcels that were shipped last Christmas by parcelLab retail clients across Europe. It reveals how the festive period compares to the previous months to give retailers a clear idea of what to expect this year.

“We wanted to shed light on how much the volume of parcels increased, how often packages are delayed and how high returns are after Christmas,” said Katharine Biggs, Content and Marketing Manager at parcelLab’s London office.

The survey found that the volume of parcels despatched during November and December increased by 116% in comparison to the rest of the year, again illustrating the logistical pressure on retailers over the Christmas period. This figure varied across categories, being highest for Electronics, Computers and Accessories, where volumes increased by a staggering 186%. This was followed by Furniture and Decorations at 116%, Books, Toys and Office Supplies at 96% and Beauty, Pharmaceuticals and Food at 62%.

This significant increase in the volume of parcels had the effect of lengthening the average delivery time at Christmas, which rose to 2.1 days during November and December from 1.9 days during January to October. Successful first-time delivery attempts also worsened, falling from 97% across the year to 94% in December.

After Christmas retailers also need to be prepared for a spike in returns. This volume rose by 22% during late December 2018 and early January 2019.

“With the customer experience now proving to be the true differentiator in terms of encouraging repeat business and loyalty, it’s vital that retailers recognise the huge additional pressure that the festive season puts on order processing and deliveries, so that they can prepare in advance to help maintain their service levels,” said Biggs. “The large amount of new customers retailers attract at this time of year means that maintaining and improving the buying experience can help retain them and grow retailers’ revenue bases for the coming year.”

Express Deliveries “Rise Almost 7000% at Christmas” Claims Research

Posted on by David Priestman

New research reveals the huge additional pressure retailers face during the festive season in terms of order processing and shipping, it is claimed.

The number of requests by customers for express delivery from retailers increases by 6,981% just before Christmas compared with the average for the rest of the year, according to a recently released survey by post-purchase communication specialists parcelLab.

The study analyses data from over 112 million parcels that were shipped last Christmas by parcelLab retail clients across Europe. It reveals how the festive period compares to the previous months to give retailers a clear idea of what to expect this year.

“We wanted to shed light on how much the volume of parcels increased, how often packages are delayed and how high returns are after Christmas,” said Katharine Biggs, Content and Marketing Manager at parcelLab’s London office.

The survey found that the volume of parcels despatched during November and December increased by 116% in comparison to the rest of the year, again illustrating the logistical pressure on retailers over the Christmas period. This figure varied across categories, being highest for Electronics, Computers and Accessories, where volumes increased by a staggering 186%. This was followed by Furniture and Decorations at 116%, Books, Toys and Office Supplies at 96% and Beauty, Pharmaceuticals and Food at 62%.

This significant increase in the volume of parcels had the effect of lengthening the average delivery time at Christmas, which rose to 2.1 days during November and December from 1.9 days during January to October. Successful first-time delivery attempts also worsened, falling from 97% across the year to 94% in December.

After Christmas retailers also need to be prepared for a spike in returns. This volume rose by 22% during late December 2018 and early January 2019.

“With the customer experience now proving to be the true differentiator in terms of encouraging repeat business and loyalty, it’s vital that retailers recognise the huge additional pressure that the festive season puts on order processing and deliveries, so that they can prepare in advance to help maintain their service levels,” said Biggs. “The large amount of new customers retailers attract at this time of year means that maintaining and improving the buying experience can help retain them and grow retailers’ revenue bases for the coming year.”

Pattonair Wins EU Backing in Bid to Shake Up Aerospace Industry

Posted on by David Priestman

Global aerospace and defence supply chain specialist Pattonair has joined forces with two innovative companies to win EU funding for a ground-breaking technology venture.

The Derby-based firm is working with complex part machining specialists Advanced Manufacturing Ltd (AML) and technology start-up Parts Pedigree Ltd to create a digital cloud-based service for the aerospace industry.

The pioneering Parts Pedigree digital platform will help to minimise the loss of millions of pounds that parts manufacturers and customers endure every year through outdated paper-based tracking systems.

Using blockchain technology to notarise part certificates, the platform will allow businesses to track and view aviation parts and the related paperwork throughout their supply chain.

As well as providing a digital mechanism to record processes such as goods receipt and despatch, the project will be able to associate manufacturing and certification events with each component produced.

It is these multi-layers of innovation embedded within the project that secured the €120,000 grant from the EU’s Internet of Things (IoT) Commission which provides crucial funding to organisations looking to bring pioneering digital solutions to market. The joint proposal scored an impressive 13.5 out of 15.

Earmarked as the ‘supply chain of the future’, the venture is set to bring a wide range of benefits to both suppliers and customers through greater visibility into the manufacturing and certification processes.

Pattonair CEO Wayne Hollinshead explained: “For some time the aerospace industry has needed a shared approach to the documentation of the critical parts it uses.

“While some companies were working from paper, others may have made the move to digital, but across different systems. Having to navigate this path increased the risk of costly delays, quality issues and ultimately unhappy customers and their suppliers.

“We expect to see a tenfold efficiency improvement with the introduction of this new system. It will play a huge role in our commitment to keeping the world flying.”

Customers will be able to track where parts are, their status and be able to view the complete audit trail of related paperwork, which is crucial to track the lifetime of every single part.
In future, the data provided will help with parts forecasting, supply chain risk prediction and will ultimately deliver a better service.

“There’s an enormous amount of paperwork attached to aircraft parts,” said Tristan Whitehead, former Deloitte aerospace partner and founder and CEO of Parts Pedigree, based in Derby.

Pattonair Wins EU Backing in Bid to Shake Up Aerospace Industry

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global aerospace and defence supply chain specialist Pattonair has joined forces with two innovative companies to win EU funding for a ground-breaking technology venture.

The Derby-based firm is working with complex part machining specialists Advanced Manufacturing Ltd (AML) and technology start-up Parts Pedigree Ltd to create a digital cloud-based service for the aerospace industry.

The pioneering Parts Pedigree digital platform will help to minimise the loss of millions of pounds that parts manufacturers and customers endure every year through outdated paper-based tracking systems.

Using blockchain technology to notarise part certificates, the platform will allow businesses to track and view aviation parts and the related paperwork throughout their supply chain.

As well as providing a digital mechanism to record processes such as goods receipt and despatch, the project will be able to associate manufacturing and certification events with each component produced.

It is these multi-layers of innovation embedded within the project that secured the €120,000 grant from the EU’s Internet of Things (IoT) Commission which provides crucial funding to organisations looking to bring pioneering digital solutions to market. The joint proposal scored an impressive 13.5 out of 15.

Earmarked as the ‘supply chain of the future’, the venture is set to bring a wide range of benefits to both suppliers and customers through greater visibility into the manufacturing and certification processes.

Pattonair CEO Wayne Hollinshead explained: “For some time the aerospace industry has needed a shared approach to the documentation of the critical parts it uses.

“While some companies were working from paper, others may have made the move to digital, but across different systems. Having to navigate this path increased the risk of costly delays, quality issues and ultimately unhappy customers and their suppliers.

“We expect to see a tenfold efficiency improvement with the introduction of this new system. It will play a huge role in our commitment to keeping the world flying.”

Customers will be able to track where parts are, their status and be able to view the complete audit trail of related paperwork, which is crucial to track the lifetime of every single part.
In future, the data provided will help with parts forecasting, supply chain risk prediction and will ultimately deliver a better service.

“There’s an enormous amount of paperwork attached to aircraft parts,” said Tristan Whitehead, former Deloitte aerospace partner and founder and CEO of Parts Pedigree, based in Derby.

DB Schenker Opens New Warehouse on Swiss-Italian Border

Posted on by David Priestman

DB Schenker has opened a cutting-edge warehouse strategically located in Stabio, southern Switzerland. The new branch boasts several accreditations and a flexible and dynamic structure ideal for handling different products.

“The location of the warehouse, paired with its cutting-edge technology, enables DB Schenker to offer competitive services in the field of fashion logistics,” says Hans-Peter Trachsler, CEO of DB Schenker Switzerland. “With the new Stabio branch, we hope to better serve our customers in Switzerland by offering a wide range of customized logistics and transport solutions.”

Stabio is located adjacent to the border with Lombardy, the largest Italian region by GDP, meaning the warehouse is ideally positioned to serve customers of the demanding Italian fashion industry. The warehouse is a dedicated free zone area and several major European airports can be reached within half a day, including Paris, Frankfurt, Luxembourg, Zurich and Milan.

As a result, the warehouse serves a wide range of customers and products, from fashion to general cargo, high tech, pharmaceuticals, food and beverage. As the main transportation hub for shipments from Italy, the branch is able to offer made-to-measure B2B and B2C delivery solutions for all customers within Switzerland. Together with air and ocean freight connections, DB Schenker can offer the entire spectrum of current transport solutions.

The warehouse offers a unit load device and elevated platform, meaning goods can be transported directly from the warehouse via truck to the aircraft, without the need for re-packing. This simplified transfer process not only saves time and increases efficiency, but also offers protection against damage and theft. The Stabio branch additionally has six loading bays and a fully-customizable warehouse management system.

 

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