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Month: November 2021

The true cost of food waste in the UK supply chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

According to recent research conducted by supply chain specialists Balloon One, 4.8 million tonnes of food are wasted in the UK supply chain every year. That’s enough to feed approximately 2,646,000,000 people each day, or everyone in the UK for 39 days.

Food waste is not only an issue for your bank balance, but the environment too. When we throw food away, we’re wasting the water, energy, and space that’s been used to grow, produce, and transport it.

Not only that, but according to FareShare, approximately 8.4 million people in the UK are living in food insecure homes. The amount of food waste produced by the sector is enough to feed everyone in the UK and tackle the country’s food poverty crisis.

Using statistics from WRAP’s report on food waste in primary production in the UK, Balloon One analysed food waste data across four main industries – retail, manufacturing & processing, agriculture & primary production, and hospitality & food service – to discover the truth behind the UK’s waste problem.

It compared WRAP’s data with the average amount of food each person needs per day, to work out the true cost of the UK supply chain’s food waste problem.

The supply chain’s problem with food waste

The waste produced by the supply chain is significant, but if we break the data down more, we can work out exactly which sectors hold the most responsibility.

Manufacturing and processing produced the largest amount of food waste. The 1.9 million tonnes created by this sector is enough to feed approximately 1,047,375,000 people every day. That’s the equivalent of feeding everyone in the UK for 16 days.

Following closely behind is agriculture and primary production. This sector’s 1.6 million tonnes of food waste could feed 882,000,000 people every day, or provide almost two weeks’ (13 days’) worth of food for everyone in the UK.

Not far behind is hospitality and food service, which produces 1 million tonnes of food waste — enough to feed 551,250,000 people in just one day, or everyone in the UK for approximately eight days.

Of all the sectors, retail produced the lowest amount of food waste, but the amount still remains high. At 0.3 million tonnes, this sector wastes enough food to feed approximately 165,375,000 people per day. That could feed everyone in the UK for three whole days.

Balloon One’s results showed that there’s still a very long way to go to reduce food waste in the supply chain, but what can you do to help?

When dealing with perishable items such as food, effective stock control is vital. Monitoring your stock turn and waste, automating your processes, and improving storage can all help to reduce your food waste in the supply chain.

Monitor your food waste

The first step towards reducing your food waste is taking a closer look at the problem within your business. Monitoring your current waste levels and measuring your stock turn means you can set targets for your operation. For example, you may wish to halve the percentage of food wasted in your factory, warehouse, store, or restaurant. This allows you to effectively plan your next steps if you’re working towards a clear goal.

Capturing this data also means you can track which foods are commonly wasted, along with information on expiry dates and storage times, so you can take steps towards reducing your waste. For example, if a certain product or ingredient is commonly thrown away, then you can order fewer units in the future.

While monitoring your food waste, it’s a good idea to also track your receipt accuracy metrics. This will tell you how accurate the orders that you receive from your suppliers are, so you can identify whether the issue is an internal one or a problem with your supplier. For example, if you commonly receive orders with short expiry dates, then you may need to speak to your supplier about organising longer timescales.

Automate your processes

When shipments come into the warehouse, a lot of information needs to be stored about each one. Things like quantities, SKU numbers, batch or serial numbers, and expiry dates all need to be logged, which can take a lot of time to do manually and can put your lead times back. And, the longer it takes for your products to reach your shelves, the longer it will be before it can reach the customer — increasing the risk of spoilage.

This is where automation comes in. Advanced shipping notice (ANS) can help reduce the time it takes to get your products onto your shelves. ANS will notify you of a pending shipment and allows you to receive data on your delivery, such as expiry dates and storage conditions. This means you can accept your order while it’s on its way, meaning it can be booked in much faster.

By investing in barcode scanners, you can quickly and efficiently log each unit as it comes in, saving you time and resources. Barcodes and QR codes can contain a multitude of data, including expiration dates and storage conditions, which allows you to maximise the shelf life of each product. Having this information immediately available ensures consistency across the entire supply chain, and minimises the likelihood of the cold chain being broken.

All of this information can also be imported over to your warehouse management system (WMS), so you can see how long you have to move your products. This automation and can monitor if any stock is due to expire soon, so you can make decisions accordingly. This data can also be transferred over to your customer. Whether it’s a retail customer or hospitality client, giving them up-to-date reports on expiry dates allows them to plan and reduce food waste in their own business too.

Improve inventory management

One major factor in food waste is planning for demand that never comes. Having a flexible supply chain is vital. There’s no real way to predict what will happen in the future, but by monitoring analytics throughout the supply chain, you can track when supply isn’t keeping up with demand, or vice versa, so you can amend your processes to suit.

For example, instead of manufacturing or keeping excess stock of a particular product just in case demand rises, you can use real time analytics to monitor trends. This means you can quickly react to a surge in demand and can produce, order, or send out extra shipments when you can be sure it’s needed.

The layout of your warehouse, stock room, or store can also go a long way towards reducing your food waste and improving efficiency. If your WMS flags that a particular unit is due to expire, this can be moved into a marked area ready to be discounted. This makes it more likely to be sold rather than wasted. Alternatively, consider donating this excess food to a local charity or food bank to do your bit to tackle food poverty and reduce your impact on the environment.

Commenting on the data, Craig Powell, Managing Director at Balloon One, said: “The true cost of food waste in the supply chain really is shocking. With so many families going without meals, the food we’re wasting is enough to feed everyone in the UK for over a month! Clearly there are steps we need to take as an industry to reduce our waste.

“The sheer amount of food we’re throwing away is enormous, and it’s vital that every business does their bit if we want to make a difference, and each sector must work together to have the biggest impact.

“The good news is that most of our food waste can easily be avoided and is largely due to an inefficient supply chain holding things up and wasting valuable time. And, when it comes to perishable items like food, time is of the essence at every stage.

“We’re lucky enough to have innovative technology right at our fingertips, and this tech can drastically change our processes for the better. By investing in WMS and automated systems, warehouses, transport management companies, retailers, and hospitality venues can all collaborate and reduce lead times. That means food can get from farm to fork much more quickly.

“There are a few changes that every business can make to tackle the problem. So, whether you lower your inventory levels or automate your processes, every company, no matter their size, can get involved and have an impact.”

Transaid announces Mozambique expansion

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Transaid used the occasion of its recent annual showcase in London to announce the further expansion of its professional driver training programme into Mozambique – less than a year after securing the funding to launch a similar project in Ghana.

Chief Executive Caroline Barber shared the news with a group of around 100 corporate members and supporters gathered at law firm Ashurst LLP on Tuesday, highlighting how the international development organisation’s track record for delivering life-saving work means it is now regularly approached to expand its activities into new countries.

Opening the event, she said: “We have already built many sustainable and impactful partnerships around our road safety work, but sadly there remains considerable need for similar programmes in many more sub-Saharan countries.

“The Mozambique project is expected to kick-off later this month, with funding from the German government, and we are confident that by sharing our knowledge and expertise, we can improve training standards and make the roads safer for everyone.”

Recognising Transaid’s resilience during the pandemic, she added: “I am very proud that during these challenging times we have managed to carry on delivering impactful work and incorporated a successful COVID-19 response into many of our programmes. This has only been possible thanks to our strong partnerships, incredible teams and partners in Africa, and the remarkable support from the transport industry and those that fund our work.”

The showcase also provided an opportunity to share updates on many of Transaid’s 12 live programmes which currently span nine countries. This includes a recent project to help mobilise Africa’s young women into the labour force, by first understanding the challenges they face when accessing public transport in outlying neighbourhoods.

Transaid patron Her Royal Highness The Princess Royal also addressed the audience in a video message, in which she thanked the industry for its tireless support.

The event concluded with the presentation of the Victor Simfukwe Awards, in memory of the former Transaid team member who passed away in 2019 following a road traffic accident in Zambia. Now in their second year, the awards recognise an individual who has made an outstanding contribution to further the organisation’s work in the previous 12 months.

Transaid Project Officer Shadi Ambrosini was Highly Commended for his outstanding efforts across multiple projects, whilst the overall award was won by Guy Heywood, Director Marketing & Sales Europe at Hankook, for his outstanding fundraising achievements. Within the last year alone this has included running the London Marathon and cycling 503km across Malawi – both virtually.

Speaking after the awards, Heywood said: “There were definitely tough times during these challenges, but I completed each one with a smile on my face as I crossed the finishing line – both from knowing it was over, but also from the reassurance that Transaid will use the money to improve peoples’ lives. I am truly humbled to be associated with Victor; his dedication to saving and enriching lives was outstanding and what always impressed me was his positive and smiling attitude.”

Century Logistics appoints new MD

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Century Logistics Ltd, a leading logistics provider in the UK region of East Anglia, has appointed Stuart Ager as Managing Director. He takes over the role from founder Stephen Basey-Fisher, who started the company in Beccles 24 years ago. Basey-Fisher will become Executive Chairman and will remain an active member of the board.

Basey-Fisher said: “Stepping back from the day-to-day running of a company I feel so passionately about was never going to be an easy decision. I am confident that Stuart will take Century onto the next chapter of our ever-evolving story. During his time as Operations Director, Stuart has helped continue to grow the company whilst navigating it through the unique trading conditions of the last 18 months.”

Ager joined Century in 2017 and brings with him 20 years of experience in the logistics sector. He commented: “Over the past four years, I have seen first-hand what a great business we have, and I am determined to continue to improve Century, both for our highly valued employees and dynamic customers.”

Geek+ helps transform CEVA’s e-commerce operations

Posted on by David Priestman

Geek+, a global AMR leader, has successfully deployed AMRs in CEVA Logistics’s Truganina warehouse. CEVA is a global third-party logistics (3PL) provider looking for new and innovative automation solutions to better serve its Australian ecommerce clients. Implemented by Körber Supply Chain, the project greatly improves efficiency and productivity in the warehouse, ensuring smoother order fulfillment for CEVA’s customers.

Lit Fung, Geek+’s Managing Director for APAC, UK, and Americas, said: “Today, an accelerated demand for fast order fulfilment has created a challenging scenario for businesses everywhere. In Australia, a booming e-commerce landscape has made ‘delivery services’ the determining factor of who’s going to come out on top. Using smart robot automation, CEVA has turned a challenge into an opportunity that will allow them to set the standard and gain considerable advantages.”

With upwards of 500,000 sq m of warehouse space and 1,350 employees, the site in Australia is one of the largest warehouses in the southern hemisphere. When a leading online shoe store experienced rapid growth, CEVA began looking at ways it could help the company meet consumers’ demands for speed and cost of delivery.

Previously, CEVA would have had to add more employees to an already labour-intensive process, with 12 to 15 employees using radiofrequency picking devices to complete one order. Today, Geek+ autonomous mobile robots intelligently and flexibly move mobile inventory racks and pallets to picking stations, saving employees time that would otherwise be spent walking around finding and picking inventory. The result is an overall improvement in employee comfort and logistical efficiency, as well as considerable savings.

“Thanks to Geek+’s AMR technology, we now have a very fast and efficient picking productivity and throughput solution,” said Milton Pimenta, CEVA Logistics’s managing director for Australia and New Zealand. Following the project’s seamless implementation, CEVA saw an immediate improvement in key performance indicators, most notably a fourfold increase in picking efficiency. CEVA plans to use the solution to support its wide customer base, securing its leadership position as a first-rate logistics provider.

“CEVA feel that a number of their clients could benefit from AMR technology. As this was the first pilot project for the business, it was extremely important that we delivered on our predictions,” said Ravi Nath, Körber Supply Chain’s head of automated solutions for Australia and New Zealand.

Geek+ will continue to work closely with Körber to help scale operations across regions and support CEVA with efficient, accurate, and flexible AMR solutions for the company’s wide network of global customers.

 

 

 

European business reusing more wooden pallets

Posted on by David Priestman

European pallet and packaging manufacturers are repairing more wooden pallets for reuse than ever, according to a survey by European Federation of Wooden Pallet & Packaging Manufacturers (FEFPEB).

Latest figures from the organisation, show that 197.5 million pallets were repaired in 2019, an increase of 25% on the previous survey carried out three years earlier.

In countries that are running formal packaging surveys – such as France, the Netherlands, and the UK – pallet repairs are generally equal to, or exceed, the numbers for new pallet production. Some 435.9 million pallets were manufactured during the same three-year period, an increase of 12% on FEFPEB’s 2016 study. Accordingly, the organisation estimates the European total to be closer 500 million.

These figures do not yet include repairs to pallets in several of FEFPEB’s 18 member countries and there are also significant numbers of pallets inspected and reused every year without needing to be repaired.

The figures also show an increase in the use of industrial and lightweight packaging, growing by 8.5% and 14%, respectively, between 2016 and 2019.

FEFPEB President Rob van Hoesel said: “We are encouraged by the results of FEFPEB’s latest manufacture and repair survey, as they show not only an increase in the use of all kinds of wooden packaging, but also a welcome growth in reuse and repair of these products. Wooden pallets and packaging have a key role to play in reducing the carbon footprint of businesses and establishing true sustainability in supply chains.

“Awareness about the need for action on climate change has increased, so we can expect demand for environment-friendly business solutions such as wooden pallets and packaging to increase in the months ahead. I will be interested to see the impact of this on our manufacturing and repair figures for the three years ahead.”

At FEFPEB’s 2019 AGM, Van Hoesel called for the pallet and packaging industry to target sourcing 100 per cent of its timber from certified sources, such as PEFC and FSC, to further increase its strong environmental credentials.

“With COP26 taking place in Glasgow, it’s a great time to remind ourselves of the important place wood has in building the circular economies we need for the future. Wood is already the most sustainable choice of raw material for manufacturing and as such has been recognised as central by authorities including the European Commission to doing this and lowering the carbon footprint of businesses,” said van Hoesel.

FEFPEB is continually seeking to improve the collation and analysis of data on the manufacture, reuse and repair of wooden packaging and pallets. With packaging surveys already taking place in several countries, the organisation is working with its membership to encourage further measurement and reporting to build up an increasingly accurate picture of developments within Europe.

FEFPEB has collaborated with the European Woodworking Industry Confederation (CEI-Bois) to ensure that pallets and packaging have been included as part of the organisation’s presentation of the forest-based industries at COP26 and submissions on developing more sustainable business in the EU.

The packaging and pallet industry purchases approximately 25% of the European sawmill output of timber.

Eco-friendly truck park of the future

Posted on by Keith McKinley

With climate change firmly under the spotlight thanks to COP26, SNAP, a leading European smart payment solutions provider for lorry drivers and fleet operators, has unveiled what a truck park of the future might look like. A vision including eco-friendly technology to help the UK meet national and international environmental goals.

Considering the UK government’s 2040 ban on the production of diesel-based trucks and the United Nation’s target to secure a global net zero by 2050, the haulage industry is having to evolve, and fast.

SNAP’s depiction of “Truck Park 2049” – a year before the climate-neutral target – transports the industry to a pivotal moment in time when a new era is about to begin.

By then, it is anticipated that deliveries will be in demand more than ever, but trucks will be smarter, more efficient, and running on renewable energy.

According to the heads of the two biggest truck makers, Volvo and Daimler, hydrogen-powered trucks capable of driving long distances will reach a tipping point towards the end of the decade; an essential step as both groups set 2040 as a target for 100% zero emissions.

Electric batteries will advance by 2049 to allow trucks to travel further distances without recharging. 350kW charging technology will enable HGVs to travel up to 100 miles from a five-minute charge – and payment will be via contactless solutions.

Despite all of this, drivers will still have a crucial role, but will need maintenance skills to keep more automated vehicles on the road. The need for secure parking and fast-charging stations will also be vital, meaning the humble truck park will have a central role to play in enabling the logistics and haulage industry to progress into an exciting future.

Explaining the purpose behind the creation of Truck Park 2049, Emma Westwood, Commercial Manager for SNAP, comments: “This is a truly transitional period for the haulage industry. Technology is already accelerating rapidly, which means truck parks of the future will be very different to what we know today. By visualising what a truck park in 2049 might comprise, our aim is to help support and guide drivers and fleet operators so they can better prepare and plan for this new landscape.”

Westwood continues: “In the years ahead, we expect to see advances in future fuels, alternative propulsion and multi-functional spaces, which will benefit the industry and the climate. We also anticipate the acceleration of automatisation and digitisation, providing an opportunity to reduce the time and resources spent on operational tasks. This will allow for the optimisation of workflows and greater efficiency to help reduce the impact on the environment, while also helping to address some of the other challenges we face, notably the driver shortage.”

SNAP Account’s smart payment system for truck parks is just one example of technology that is allowing fleets at nearly 300 HGV locations across Europe to digitally manage their businesses more efficiently, safely and effectively: something expected to become a fundamental feature of the new-age truck park.

Handheld launches new version of ultra-rugged PDA

Posted on by David Priestman

Handheld Group, a leading manufacturer of rugged mobile computers, has announced a new version of its NAUTIZ X9 PDA: an ultra-rugged enterprise handheld built for fieldwork in the most challenging outdoor and industrial environments.

With an upgraded platform, the Nautiz X9 Android rugged handheld runs Android 11 and is Android Enterprise Recommended (AER). Designed to handle the toughest conditions, the Nautiz X9 is built with a sturdy magnesium casing. It is targeted for mobile computing and data collection in industrial and field applications where reliability is critical and ruggedness is key.

The Nautiz X9 ultra-rugged PDA offers:

  • MIL-STD 810G ruggedness for drops, vibrations, humidity, and broad operating temperature
  • IP67 rating for waterproof, dust-tight performance
  • A sunlight-readable 5-inch multi-touch display with glove and rain mode
  • A high speed 8-core MediaTek processor with 3 GB RAM and 32 GB storage
  • The Android 11 operating system with GMS, Android Enterprise Recommended (AER)
  • 4G/LTE, dual band 802.11 a/b/g/n/ac wireless LAN, low-energy 5.0 BT and NFC
  • Built-in GPS/GLONASS/Galileo capabilities as standard
  • Dual cameras including 13-megapixel rear-facing, and 5-megapixel front-facing
  • Optional high-quality, high-speed 2D imager
  • Multiple enterprise-focused accessories
  • MaxGo software to quickly apply custom settings to larger deployments

“The Nautiz X9 ultra-rugged PDA is as tough as they come. And with a much faster processor, the upgrade to Android 11, plus the AER certification, it is a top choice for enterprises who need a modern work tool for the toughest environments,” says Johan Hed, Handheld Group director of product management. “The reliability and toughness of the Nautiz X9 has been and will continue to bring great value to field users worldwide.”

The new version of the Nautiz X9 is expected to start shipping this month (November 2021).

CLICK HERE to watch the product video.

Patrizia expands logistics footprint in Spain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Patrizia AG, a leading partner for global real assets, has forward purchased a logistics warehouse development in Illescas, Spain, for approx. €56m, on behalf of its institutional clients. The asset will have a combined surface of 92,000 sq m and is scheduled to be completed by the first quarter of 2023.

The investment was made on behalf of a Patrizia logistics flagship fund for its institutional clients and further strengthens the already significant logistics portfolio of the firm.

Martin Trodden, Fund Management Patrizia, explained: “We are delighted to add the Illescas forward purchase deal to our portfolio in Spain. The logistics sector has proven to be safe haven during the Covid-19 pandemic. As economic recovery takes hold, we are seeing continued growth in e-commerce and increasing demand from logistics occupiers. Despite many new entrants to this investment sector, our specialist logistics funds benefit from a long track record and unique market insight that allow us to find value in this asset class.”

“This acquisition will add another modern, flexible and competitive asset in the second logistic ring of Madrid to our growing logistics portfolio in Iberia,” Eduardo de Roda, Country Manager of Patrizia Iberia, explained. “We are particularly pleased that as part of our commitment to delivering net zero carbon assets, these buildings will have the highly coveted LEED Silver certification, based on their commitment to energy efficiency and to the environment.”

In order to deliver flexible assets, attractive for several tenants and able to provide increased asset management opportunities, the warehouses in Illescas can be divided into up to six modules from 14,000 sq m each.

Illescas is one of the main nodes of the second logistics ring in the so-called ‘central zone’ of Spain and has direct access to the A-42 highway that connects Madrid with Toledo. This area has become one of the most strategic and demanded by distribution and logistics companies due to its excellent connections, proximity to Madrid and the competitiveness of its assets compared to those in other nearby locations. Large consumer and distribution companies such as Amazon, Michelin, XPO, Airbus, Dia, Zalando, Seur and Correos, among many others, are already located there.

Since year end of 2019, the AUM of Patrizia’s logistics segment has grown by 84% to over €5.8bn. Besides being a ‘safe haven’ investment and a key contributor to local resiliency, logistics assets display a strong demand and low vacancy rates across Europe, and its yields consistently outperform those by other asset classes.

With this transaction, Patrizia further strengthens its presence in the logistics segment in Spain, in which it already has assets with a total area of more than 620,000 sq m throughout the country. As a whole, the logistics segment represents around 40% of the assets that Patrizia manages in Iberia, whose total value exceeds €1.4bn.

Seeking a more sustainable supply chain

Posted on by Keith McKinley

In light of COP26 taking place in Glasgow, Eddie Capel (pictured), CEO of supply chain software solution provider Manhattan Associates, looks at the importance of sustainable supply chains.

Over the last two centuries, the worldwide economy has experienced prolonged and sustained growth. Over the same period, this process of economic growth has been accompanied by even faster growth in global commerce.

The integration of national economies into a global economic system has been one of the most important and significant developments of the last century, with globalisation resulting in remarkable growth in trade between countries, with exports now 40+ times larger than in 1913.

This continued surge in globalisation post WW2 has seen international trade grow more rapidly than ever, and today the sum of exports and imports across nations amounts to more than 50% of the value of total global output.

While the increase in global commerce in general is regarded as a positive development, (you can now buy New Zealand grown apples in the USA, 365 days a year and they are delicious!), it has also brought challenges of its own; not least increasing moral, ethical and environmental questions, such as, ‘just because you can, does that mean you should?’

Furthermore, with much wider networks of international trade, there are now more and more questions around the challenges of increasingly complicated supply chains; not least, the impact that both globalisation and the fulfilment of global commerce presents to our environment.

With supply chains underpinning the very foundations of trade, the last two decades have understandably seen an increased impetus on supply chain gains such as speed and efficiency in order to maximise (often) squeezed margins.

These types of operational efficiencies are clearly important to the global markets we serve and over the last three decades we’ve thrived in this space.

However, today, not just from an industry perspective, but also at a societal level, there are more pressing priorities and sustainability and environmental awareness need to be high on the agenda for every organisation. As an industry leader in such a high-profile space right now, and with COP26 rapidly approaching, the time is right that we start talking about the topic of supply chain sustainability more actively.

Empowering greener consumer buying decisions

Most brands that offer direct-to-consumer (D2C) selling channels don’t have the ability to allow the consumer to aggregate orders over a multi-day period or change an order beyond maybe a 30-60 minute ‘remorse’ period. Essentially, it’s a case that after you have hit the buy button and completed the transaction you no longer have the ability to change, cancel or even add to your order.

This inflexibility inevitably leads to situations where purchases made over multiple days or even the same day end up being delivered by multiple couriers across multiple deliveries.

Thanks to advanced capabilities available with Manhattan Active Omni, there is a smarter way to manage D2C operations, allowing the customer to have more influence over their own retail supply chain decisions.

These capabilities essentially create an order as a ‘draft status’ when it is in the warehouse, allowing the customer to make changes and additions, right up until the moment it leaves on the truck – far more flexible than the traditional 30-60 minute grace period currently offered by most retailers.

This approach can help eliminate excessive delivery miles, along with the dunnage and packaging associated with multiple smaller orders; also reducing the carbon footprint associated with the returns process too.

Our goal is to allow our customers to give consumers the ability and options to influence the fulfilment process, in the hope that they will ultimately make more informed and ‘greener’ choices in the long-term.

Wasted space is bad for the planet not just your P&L

Smarter Pallet Fill Algorithms (PFA), such as those that are part of the latest release of Manhattan Active Inventory can provide as much as a 7% increase in the truck fill ratios (TFR). While the relative delta might seem small at first glance, when you have a fleet of thousands of trucks, travelling millions of miles each year, marginal gains can add up to significant reductions in an organisation’s overall carbon footprint.

If by having more efficient fleet loading capabilities, we can reduce the need for just one truck per month, we could reduce overall CO2 output by almost 40 metric tonnes each year. That is a significant reduction in CO2, acknowledged to be one of the most harmful green-house gases to the planet.

Smarter, greener approaches to transportation

If we continue with the transportation and delivery theme for a moment, let us consider strategy transportation management. Having a modern, effective TMS in place is another key consideration when addressing the environmental impact of your supply chain.

Manhattan Active Transportation Management is a powerful optimisation engine that makes transportation planning faster, smarter and easier. But it’s not just fast, it is also more intelligent, and here in lies the key to making transportation planning and networks less carbon intense.

At the heart of the solution is a multi-modal optimisation core that utilises cutting-edge, in-memory computing. This advanced optimisation engine uses machine learning to give brands and transportation managers the computing power they need to quickly process and analyse large volumes of data in order to create the ideal and most environmentally conscious logistics plans.

So whether it’s incorporating real-time weather, traffic, city-specific low emission zone data, or simply providing up to 80% faster solve times, a smarter, more data-driven transportation management solution is not just good for bottom-line profits and overall customer experience, it can also have a significant and positive effect on the environmental impact of a brand too.

Choosing the right partners

Let’s consider the role of the cloud in sustainability. While the cloud can certainly streamline organisations from both a practical and operational perspective, it is important to recognise that any IT deployment, be it ‘as a service’ or on-premise, will always carry an associated environmental cost.

As supply chain solutions increasingly become cloud-native, the nature of the clouds being used to deliver them therefore becomes more relevant.

Apart from being a market leader and innovator in the cloud space, our partner, Google Cloud’s platform is powered by 100% renewable energy.

Manhattan and Google Cloud’s commitment to ongoing innovation, plus its net carbon-neutral cloud, means that the working partnership between both industry leading teams continues to be a perfect match of brand and environmental values.

Shipping less air is good for everyone

Advances in the use of smarter algorithms are now having significant, positive impacts when it comes to reducing the amount of packaging used in warehouse and outbound delivery processes.

Whether it be Manhattan’s unique approach to three dimensional cubing (packing goods for shipment and shipping less air). Smart packing, dunnage utilisation or order fulfilment optimisation, with less packaging used throughout the supply chain, and less air (effectively) being shipped, volume per shipment is reduced and transportation becomes more efficient, meaning less trucks on the roads and fewer planes in the skies.

It’s a win, win for not just bottom-line profitability, supply chain efficiency and customer experience, but crucially the environment too; just another example of how the application of ‘smarter’ technology can drive ‘greener’ outcomes across entire supply chain networks.

The path towards a more sustainable future

At Manhattan Associates, we believe that the path to a cleaner, more sustainable future for the planet begins with the small decisions we can all make each and every day. That’s why we’re committed to building sustainability into the supply chain solutions we deliver to thousands of household brands all over the globe and incorporating more environmentally aware and sustainable approaches into our organisation too.

Whether it’s empowering consumers to make ‘greener’ buying decisions; creating smarter algorithms that allow organisations to reduce CO2 emissions by filling trucks more efficiently; partnering with carbon neutral brands like Google Cloud to power our cloud-based solutions; or simply designing products that place both people and planet, front of mind, Manhattan Associates is as committed to helping our customers run their supply chains in more sustainable ways.

We must not lose sight of the fact that global commerce is vitally important to the livelihoods and well-being of billions of people around the globe, and although the inherent nature of the movement of goods can never be entirely ‘green’, we must acknowledge that this does not mean it cannot be more sustainable for our planet than it has been in the past.

As an industry leader in the (supply chain) space that underpins the flow of global goods, we have a duty to recognise the challenges presented by climate change, to act responsibly and proactively, and to play our part in a coordinated effort towards a more sustainable and environmentally aware future.

Christmas worst time for RTP loss

Posted on by David Priestman

More returnable transit packaging (RTP) equipment goes missing during the festive season than any other time of year. But with multiple external forces continuing to wreak havoc across the food industry supply chain in 2021, this year should be the season for giving back. Paul Empson, general manager, Bakers Basco, explains why and how.

The festive season has traditionally been a time for giving, but with supply chains facing additional pressure due to the ongoing national driver shortage, the cogs (companies) that keep the food industry engine running to deliver food from source to supermarket shelves, need to reverse this trend in 2021 and encourage everybody to start giving back.

By everybody, I mean everyone – from the general public to warehouse staff, logistics managers and supermarket workers – and by giving back, I mean ensuring the safe return of equipment that might be lost or clogged up at distribution centres, in warehouses, delivery bays, Recycling & Reclamation Units (RRUs), abandoned on the street or elsewhere.

Anyone who works in the food logistics industry knows that the demand for safe, secure and efficient returnable transit packaging (RTP) hits an all-year high during the festive season. Thanks to a spike in food sales, those working behind the scenes face increased pressure to ensure additional equipment is available to transport goods across the UK to ensure that everyone gets what they need in time for Christmas Day.

But that’s easier said than done. Just as Santa has to deliver gifts across the world in just one night, that same miracle has to happen in the days leading up to Christmas to ensure that suppliers can deliver their fresh goods in a timely and efficient manner.

The problem is that, particularly in our corner of the food industry – baking – the memo alerting people to return any equipment that has been diverted out of the supply chain seems to have gotten lost in the post. Bakers Basco equipment – which includes our plastic bakery trays and dollies – carry an embossed label stating who the owner is. All of this equipment is designed to be reused again and again for a life span of up to 10 years and is then recycled once it has come to the end of its useful life.

It might not be a diamond ring or the latest tech gadget, but this vital piece of equipment has value. It is relied upon daily to ensure the safe and efficient delivery of fresh bread and baked goods across the UK – even more so during the busy festive season – plus, it’s designed to be environmentally friendly as part of the circular economy.

When any piece of equipment goes missing from the supply chain, it can be costly to replace – not just from a monetary value but to the detriment of the environment. After all, who wants more unnecessary plastic out in the world if it’s not being returned and reused responsibly?

It’s not a shortage issue, it’s a stuck issue. There is plenty of equipment in circulation to keep the festive spirit alive – but not if it’s stuck in the wrong place or in the wrong hands.

So, as I’m writing my wish list to Santa for Christmas this year, it’s to send this important message to everybody, raise awareness of what people should do if they come across any of our equipment where it shouldn’t be, and know that all they have to do is give us a call and Bakers Basco will come and collect it for free, wherever it is in the UK.

And while ‘Basco’s little helpers’ – our national investigations team – are working harder than ever to track down and reclaim equipment that has been diverted out of the supply chain, today it’s on everyone to play their part to ensure that everyone gets a gift they deserve this Christmas.

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