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Month: July 2022

M&S acquires Gist

Posted on by David Priestman

Marks and Spencer Group plc has announced it is to acquire Gist Limited, the principal contract logistics provider to M&S Food, from Storeshield Limited, a subsidiary of The BOC Group Limited.

M&S Food says it has restored an industry-leading position in volume growth over the past four years, developed bigger stores and entered new channels through the investment in Ocado Retail and through franchise partnerships, including over 2,500 Costa stores. However, there is a substantial opportunity to create a more efficient and effective supply chain through investment in the network to reduce the cost to serve, update legacy systems and improve automation.

Gist provides the majority of M&S Food logistics services via a network of eight primary and 10 secondary distribution centres located across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, including a number of freehold warehouses. The existing arrangement has a higher cost legacy contract which expires in 2027. The acquisition will generate immediate benefits to M&S through the elimination of contractual fees and costs and the implementation of aligned operational processes. Through acquiring Gist, M&S can also take control of and invest in the network, building on the successful implementation of its “Vangarde” supply chain optimisation programme.

Under the transaction, M&S is acquiring the entire share capital of Gist for an initial consideration of £145m in cash. A further amount of £85m plus interest will be payable in cash from the proceeds of the intended onward disposal of freehold properties or, at the latest, on the third anniversary of completion. An additional profit share from the disposal proceeds of up to £25m plus interest will be payable under certain conditions. M&S has the ability to retain the freehold properties should it wish to do so in which case the full amount of £110m plus interest will be payable.

The Gist business being acquired generated a proforma EBITDA of c.£55m in the year ended December 2021, with the majority of profit reflecting management fees recharged to M&S under contractual arrangements, which will be eliminated upon consolidation to M&S. The transaction is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full year and will be funded through existing cash reserves.

Stuart Machin, M&S Chief Executive, said: “M&S has been tied to a higher cost legacy contract, limiting both our incentive to invest and our growth. The last two years have shown what can be achieved by working collaboratively alongside our partners at Gist. This has given me confidence that now is the time to take action and remove an impediment to our growth. We have therefore acted decisively to acquire Gist, taking control of our Food supply chain for the first time in our history. This is the first step in a multi-year plan which will transform the entire supply chain.”

Gist also provides a limited number of logistics services for third parties, as well as freight forwarding for BOC. Its food service division will remain with BOC post-completion, with appropriate transitional service agreements in place to ensure business continuity. Gist has approximately 5,800 employees, led by an experienced management team, including CEO Michael Chambers who will continue to lead the business and report to the Commercial Director of M&S Food.

 

M&S acquires Gist

Posted on by David Priestman

Marks and Spencer Group plc has announced it is to acquire Gist Limited, the principal contract logistics provider to M&S Food, from Storeshield Limited, a subsidiary of The BOC Group Limited.

M&S Food says it has restored an industry-leading position in volume growth over the past four years, developed bigger stores and entered new channels through the investment in Ocado Retail and through franchise partnerships, including over 2,500 Costa stores. However, there is a substantial opportunity to create a more efficient and effective supply chain through investment in the network to reduce the cost to serve, update legacy systems and improve automation.

Gist provides the majority of M&S Food logistics services via a network of eight primary and 10 secondary distribution centres located across the UK and the Republic of Ireland, including a number of freehold warehouses. The existing arrangement has a higher cost legacy contract which expires in 2027. The acquisition will generate immediate benefits to M&S through the elimination of contractual fees and costs and the implementation of aligned operational processes. Through acquiring Gist, M&S can also take control of and invest in the network, building on the successful implementation of its “Vangarde” supply chain optimisation programme.

Under the transaction, M&S is acquiring the entire share capital of Gist for an initial consideration of £145m in cash. A further amount of £85m plus interest will be payable in cash from the proceeds of the intended onward disposal of freehold properties or, at the latest, on the third anniversary of completion. An additional profit share from the disposal proceeds of up to £25m plus interest will be payable under certain conditions. M&S has the ability to retain the freehold properties should it wish to do so in which case the full amount of £110m plus interest will be payable.

The Gist business being acquired generated a proforma EBITDA of c.£55m in the year ended December 2021, with the majority of profit reflecting management fees recharged to M&S under contractual arrangements, which will be eliminated upon consolidation to M&S. The transaction is expected to be earnings enhancing in its first full year and will be funded through existing cash reserves.

Stuart Machin, M&S Chief Executive, said: “M&S has been tied to a higher cost legacy contract, limiting both our incentive to invest and our growth. The last two years have shown what can be achieved by working collaboratively alongside our partners at Gist. This has given me confidence that now is the time to take action and remove an impediment to our growth. We have therefore acted decisively to acquire Gist, taking control of our Food supply chain for the first time in our history. This is the first step in a multi-year plan which will transform the entire supply chain.”

Gist also provides a limited number of logistics services for third parties, as well as freight forwarding for BOC. Its food service division will remain with BOC post-completion, with appropriate transitional service agreements in place to ensure business continuity. Gist has approximately 5,800 employees, led by an experienced management team, including CEO Michael Chambers who will continue to lead the business and report to the Commercial Director of M&S Food.

 

Roller sensor bar ends conveyor headaches

Posted on by David Priestman

SICK has developed a versatile and easy to install Roller Sensor Bar to tackle common conveyor downtime headaches for operators in wide-ranging materials handling, parcel sorting or logistics hubs.

The SICK Roller Sensor Bar has been perfected to deliver high sensing performance when detecting the leading edges of varied, flat or irregular shaped packages on conveyors. Mounted between rollers or belted sections, the SICK Roller Sensor Bar’s flexible concept dispenses with the need to pre-qualify and stock multiple sensor types.

Quickly mounted using spring-loaded end caps, a pre-configured SICK Roller Sensor Bar is ready to start work without needing to be aligned. Whether mounted during conveyor manufacture or fitted to an existing production line, the time taken to install and set up a Roller Sensor Bar is minimal.

Eliminate Conveyor Jams

“Conveyor jams are a common headache for all sorts of logistics and materials handling environments. The Roller Sensor Bar eliminates the unplanned downtime caused when conventional sensor set-ups cause jamming, package build-ups or misdirects,” says David Hannaby, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Presence Detection.

“Jams can happen when packages catch on sensing holes in the conveyor walls, or on the sensor themselves. The Roller Sensor Bar can also be configured without blind zones at the sides of the conveyor. Installation and alignment time is reduced, and there is no need to purchase extra mounting brackets or reflectors.”

SICK says it has made it quick and easy to customise the Roller Sensor Bar so it can detect a wide range of shapes and sizes of packages simultaneously, in any orientation, and even when they have irregular or thin leading edges. It can therefore be quickly adapted for a broad range of detection needs from, non-transparent poly bags and jiffy packs through to totes or pallets.

Users specify the sensor bar length ranging from 200mm to 1.2m, then set between two and eight sensing points spaced 50mm to 200mm apart. As a result, they achieve alignment precision and avoid detection blind zones. Positioned to detect from below, the SICK Roller Sensor Bar has excellent ambient light immunity so false trips and triggers, e.g. by reflections from high visibility clothing, are avoided.

A choice of ten different connector types and nine standard cable lengths ensure quick and easy installation, not just into all kinds of roller conveyors, but for belted conveyor sections and flexible conveyors.

The IO-Link variant of SICK’s Roller Sensor bar enables operators to access diagnostic information to reduce conveyor downtime. Using IO-Link, individual beam breaks can be identified for product alignment checks, e.g. to confirm a divert has happened, or to alert when objects are skewed or in the wrong position on the conveyor. It can also track each sensor’s operating status and alert to service or maintenance requirements.

With an IP67-rated housing, the SICK Roller Sensor bar is resilient to the ingress of dust or water during cleaning procedures.

 

Roller sensor bar ends conveyor headaches

Posted on by Keith McKinley

SICK has developed a versatile and easy to install Roller Sensor Bar to tackle common conveyor downtime headaches for operators in wide-ranging materials handling, parcel sorting or logistics hubs.

The SICK Roller Sensor Bar has been perfected to deliver high sensing performance when detecting the leading edges of varied, flat or irregular shaped packages on conveyors. Mounted between rollers or belted sections, the SICK Roller Sensor Bar’s flexible concept dispenses with the need to pre-qualify and stock multiple sensor types.

Quickly mounted using spring-loaded end caps, a pre-configured SICK Roller Sensor Bar is ready to start work without needing to be aligned. Whether mounted during conveyor manufacture or fitted to an existing production line, the time taken to install and set up a Roller Sensor Bar is minimal.

Eliminate Conveyor Jams

“Conveyor jams are a common headache for all sorts of logistics and materials handling environments. The Roller Sensor Bar eliminates the unplanned downtime caused when conventional sensor set-ups cause jamming, package build-ups or misdirects,” says David Hannaby, SICK’s UK Product Manager for Presence Detection.

“Jams can happen when packages catch on sensing holes in the conveyor walls, or on the sensor themselves. The Roller Sensor Bar can also be configured without blind zones at the sides of the conveyor. Installation and alignment time is reduced, and there is no need to purchase extra mounting brackets or reflectors.”

SICK says it has made it quick and easy to customise the Roller Sensor Bar so it can detect a wide range of shapes and sizes of packages simultaneously, in any orientation, and even when they have irregular or thin leading edges. It can therefore be quickly adapted for a broad range of detection needs from, non-transparent poly bags and jiffy packs through to totes or pallets.

Users specify the sensor bar length ranging from 200mm to 1.2m, then set between two and eight sensing points spaced 50mm to 200mm apart. As a result, they achieve alignment precision and avoid detection blind zones. Positioned to detect from below, the SICK Roller Sensor Bar has excellent ambient light immunity so false trips and triggers, e.g. by reflections from high visibility clothing, are avoided.

A choice of ten different connector types and nine standard cable lengths ensure quick and easy installation, not just into all kinds of roller conveyors, but for belted conveyor sections and flexible conveyors.

The IO-Link variant of SICK’s Roller Sensor bar enables operators to access diagnostic information to reduce conveyor downtime. Using IO-Link, individual beam breaks can be identified for product alignment checks, e.g. to confirm a divert has happened, or to alert when objects are skewed or in the wrong position on the conveyor. It can also track each sensor’s operating status and alert to service or maintenance requirements.

With an IP67-rated housing, the SICK Roller Sensor bar is resilient to the ingress of dust or water during cleaning procedures.

 

Paper E-Wrap on show in Japan

Posted on by David Priestman

Japan is a country with many different facets and passions, but it is also one of the world’s birthplaces of e-commerce, with a mature market and well-defined trends. Japanese consumers know their mind: they prefer to have a large selection of goods, fast and accurate deliveries and, lastly, high quality packaging.

Sitma believes it can provide a tangible solution to these needs. This is why, at the end of summer 2022, it will be at Logis Tech Tokyo: a worthy conclusion to a very busy trade fair season. Sitma already took part in the Japanese trade fair in the past, though for the first time it will now display a machine in an operational configuration: the E-Wrap in the paper packaging version.

On the one hand, the September event confirms Sitma’s support for in-person trade fairs and, on the other hand its commitment to the Japanese market. It already operates in it through its Tokyo branch, which has been the focal point of its business strategies for over 30 years. It could not have been otherwise, since this area is a reference for the whole of the Far East, especially for the world of e-commerce logistics, which has undergone substantial growth in recent years.

Indeed, the value of the Japanese market has more than doubled in less than 10 years, going from ¥8.46 trillion in 2011 to ¥19.28 trillion in 2020 (over US$140 billion). It is now the fourth-largest market in the world after the United States, China and the UK. Apart from its economic value, the Japanese e-commerce market is one of the most crowded and challenging: indeed there are thousands of companies involved in the processes of buying, selling, sorting and delivering goods.

There is a widespread supply chain that works to support a very broad selection of products, ranging from interior design items to electronic devices, with differentiated purchases according to gender and age. However, data relating to purchasing habits is somewhat surprising. For example, unlike other areas of the world the demand for books is one of the predominant items and applies to both women and men (with 58% of the former resorting to online purchases and 55% of the latter).

Then come electronic devices, which are mainly purchased by men: 61% do so online, investing an average of ¥1,200 per month. In third place come fashion and clothing, which are instead mostly chosen by women: 70% of them order them online, investing around ¥1,000 every month. Such a demand for products significantly increases the level of skills required of companies working to support sorting and delivery hubs, both in terms of technology and the ability to generate efficiency.

In short, the challenge is huge. Along with the presence of numerous operators and the extensive supply of goods, the specific logic governing the market must be considered as well. Japanese society is indeed permeated by an ethical and working culture that minimises downtime. People’s lives are often organised according to “just-in-time” principles and the Japanese expect the same precision when placing orders online: a factor that further raises the bar of competition.

On a technological level, this means not only being able to have fast and high-performance machines but, for example, equally efficient weighing and tracking systems that work in sync with software packages to manage big data.

Paper E-Wrap: Western style and oriental spirit

Why did Sitma choose to take the E-Wrap to Logis Tech Tokyo? Because it is easy to use, though it brings huge benefits in terms of packaging speed, precision and quality of work. Plus, Japan is a rich country with consumers who, as in the most developed markets, are particularly attentive to the latest sustainability trends.

Sitma says the Paper E-Wrap is a perfectly tailored solution for the market from this point of view too, as it is a machine with a strong focus on sustainability. Indeed, it can pack according to an approach that takes into account the three dimensions of the object, following its volumes and limiting the use of wrapping material. The packaging also takes place by using heat-sealable paper, a material that ensures a very low environmental impact.

There is one last aspect that makes the Paper E-Wrap a winner: as mentioned, the Japanese market is largely based on the purchase and sale of small or medium-sized objects such as books, technological devices, video games and clothes. All these objects can be effectively packaged by means of heat-sealable paper, allowing for tailor-made packages that can withstand a weight of up to 2kg. These characteristics have already decreed the success of the Paper E-Wrap at European trade fairs Ipack-IMA and LogiMAT. The E-Wrap is now ready to conquer Japan as well.

Sitma will be at the next edition of Logis Tech Tokyo at stand 102 – Hall 3 from 13 to 16 September 2022.

 

Paper E-Wrap on show in Japan

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Japan is a country with many different facets and passions, but it is also one of the world’s birthplaces of e-commerce, with a mature market and well-defined trends. Japanese consumers know their mind: they prefer to have a large selection of goods, fast and accurate deliveries and, lastly, high quality packaging.

Sitma believes it can provide a tangible solution to these needs. This is why, at the end of summer 2022, it will be at Logis Tech Tokyo: a worthy conclusion to a very busy trade fair season. Sitma already took part in the Japanese trade fair in the past, though for the first time it will now display a machine in an operational configuration: the E-Wrap in the paper packaging version.

On the one hand, the September event confirms Sitma’s support for in-person trade fairs and, on the other hand its commitment to the Japanese market. It already operates in it through its Tokyo branch, which has been the focal point of its business strategies for over 30 years. It could not have been otherwise, since this area is a reference for the whole of the Far East, especially for the world of e-commerce logistics, which has undergone substantial growth in recent years.

Indeed, the value of the Japanese market has more than doubled in less than 10 years, going from ¥8.46 trillion in 2011 to ¥19.28 trillion in 2020 (over US$140 billion). It is now the fourth-largest market in the world after the United States, China and the UK. Apart from its economic value, the Japanese e-commerce market is one of the most crowded and challenging: indeed there are thousands of companies involved in the processes of buying, selling, sorting and delivering goods.

There is a widespread supply chain that works to support a very broad selection of products, ranging from interior design items to electronic devices, with differentiated purchases according to gender and age. However, data relating to purchasing habits is somewhat surprising. For example, unlike other areas of the world the demand for books is one of the predominant items and applies to both women and men (with 58% of the former resorting to online purchases and 55% of the latter).

Then come electronic devices, which are mainly purchased by men: 61% do so online, investing an average of ¥1,200 per month. In third place come fashion and clothing, which are instead mostly chosen by women: 70% of them order them online, investing around ¥1,000 every month. Such a demand for products significantly increases the level of skills required of companies working to support sorting and delivery hubs, both in terms of technology and the ability to generate efficiency.

In short, the challenge is huge. Along with the presence of numerous operators and the extensive supply of goods, the specific logic governing the market must be considered as well. Japanese society is indeed permeated by an ethical and working culture that minimises downtime. People’s lives are often organised according to “just-in-time” principles and the Japanese expect the same precision when placing orders online: a factor that further raises the bar of competition.

On a technological level, this means not only being able to have fast and high-performance machines but, for example, equally efficient weighing and tracking systems that work in sync with software packages to manage big data.

Paper E-Wrap: Western style and oriental spirit

Why did Sitma choose to take the E-Wrap to Logis Tech Tokyo? Because it is easy to use, though it brings huge benefits in terms of packaging speed, precision and quality of work. Plus, Japan is a rich country with consumers who, as in the most developed markets, are particularly attentive to the latest sustainability trends.

Sitma says the Paper E-Wrap is a perfectly tailored solution for the market from this point of view too, as it is a machine with a strong focus on sustainability. Indeed, it can pack according to an approach that takes into account the three dimensions of the object, following its volumes and limiting the use of wrapping material. The packaging also takes place by using heat-sealable paper, a material that ensures a very low environmental impact.

There is one last aspect that makes the Paper E-Wrap a winner: as mentioned, the Japanese market is largely based on the purchase and sale of small or medium-sized objects such as books, technological devices, video games and clothes. All these objects can be effectively packaged by means of heat-sealable paper, allowing for tailor-made packages that can withstand a weight of up to 2kg. These characteristics have already decreed the success of the Paper E-Wrap at European trade fairs Ipack-IMA and LogiMAT. The E-Wrap is now ready to conquer Japan as well.

Sitma will be at the next edition of Logis Tech Tokyo at stand 102 – Hall 3 from 13 to 16 September 2022.

 

Blockchain technology as a transformational force

Posted on by Keith McKinley

The global logistics industry, worth $8.5tn, is the backbone of economies and thriving commerce, writes Anurag Bhatia (pictured), Senior Vice President and Head of Europe at Mphasis. Throughout the pandemic, the industry was relied on for the distribution of crucial vaccines, which proved a useful gauge of the effectiveness – and weaknesses – of supply chains. We also saw how the supply chain crisis throughout Europe in 2021 hit businesses and industry.

It’s vital that companies in the space adapt to the new digital era and stay agile enough to handle sudden market shifts or changes in demand. This necessitates adopting innovation to address industry challenges, instil greater transparency and optimise operations.

The advent of Web 3.0 signals the further evolution of distributed ledger technologies, most notably blockchain. The blockchain is ideally placed to resolve logistics and supply chain management pain points, and can have a transformational effect on business models and the future of logistics.

Addressing key supply chain challenges

One of the top challenges faced by the logistics industry is the lack of transparency and traceability involved in commercial freight. This not only causes inaccuracies and delays but can also lead to cost and reputational consequences for businesses.

As the market grows, so does the supply chain and its complexities when it comes to planning and maintaining the storage and delivery of goods to successfully meet the demands of the end customer. There’s a pressing need to implement more streamlined processes to optimise these activities, made all the more difficult by the many different geographies, local regulations and administration, payments and various other stages of getting goods from point A to B.

Ensuring on-time deliveries requires keeping on top of vast amounts of documentation, inventory management and route optimisation. In an increasingly digitalised world, as data sets become bigger, companies also face new threats such as data leakage, privacy concerns, fraud and the need to spot counterfeit goods fast. In fact, cargo loss is costing the industry $50bn per year globally.

Evidently something needs to change, and many logistics leaders are turning to the power of technological innovation to address roadblocks and boost operational and cost efficiencies, transparency and resilience in the face of a fast-moving market. Blockchain technologies can play a significant part in facilitating this much-needed change.

Blockchain brings compelling benefits

A core advantage of the blockchain is its ability to bring a previously unattainable level of efficiency and productivity in shipping and deliveries. It can aid the automation of manual activities and the entire procurement process, to eliminate the likelihood of human error and optimise workflows, thereby reducing the costs and time associated with cumbersome administrative processes.

It can speed up and streamline the exchange and verification of documents, tariffs, payments and invoicing, verification of ownership, quality checks and more, providing a ledger of all relevant data. Previously, these processes fell to manual efforts and exposed supply chains to risks of fraud, mistakes, and delays. Through the application of smart contracts, blockchain solutions fully automate all supply chain agreements, which also helps with dispute resolution between parties.

Another principal benefit of the blockchain is that it enables end-to-end real time tracking of locations, product movement and fleet performance, through shared access to data and digital documents for all participants along the supply chain.

Further, the immutable nature of the blockchain, which is based on cryptographic algorithms, can facilitate verifiable, fully traceable transactions and has far greater security credentials than other networks. While other systems tend to be centralised – meaning they are left open to attacks and modification – blockchain-based solutions offer a decentralised and tamper-proof way to record important information on a distributed ledger. This maintains the integrity of data stored on the series of ‘blocks’ on the chain, which cannot be compromised or corrupted, boosting firms’ ability to manage risk and comply with data protection regulations.

Instilling trust & transparency into operations

By leaning on the power of the blockchain – particularly when paired with the capabilities of other innovations in AI, machine learning and IoT – logistics businesses can drive greater supply chain transparency. Through better access to information, and a verifiable record of each stage in the shipping and delivery process, they can spend less time validating goods, lower the cost implications of counterfeit or mis-placed products, reduce duplication and improve compliance and reporting.

Furthermore, businesses can maintain more control over data and better communication between multiple parties. This allows more attention to be directed to making the best use of data to identify opportunities for even greater efficiencies, and insights that can add real value to businesses. This can cultivate trust and a solid track record that reflects on customer satisfaction, thereby strengthening companies’ competitive edge and resilience.

In the global logistics and transportation industry, the blockchain market is set to grow by almost $889m by 2025 compared with 2021. Despite being at a fairly early stage of adoption within logistics, awareness of the benefits of blockchain is growing. Major players, including MAERSK and Amazon, have already integrated it into their operations to improve supply chain visibility and accelerate the shipping process, and the rest of the market should follow in due course.

Embracing blockchain has the potential to fundamentally transform the logistics industry, unlocking greater value and propelling it to the next level of its tremendous growth trajectory.

 

Blockchain technology as a transformational force

Posted on by David Priestman

The global logistics industry, worth $8.5tn, is the backbone of economies and thriving commerce, writes Anurag Bhatia (pictured), Senior Vice President and Head of Europe at Mphasis. Throughout the pandemic, the industry was relied on for the distribution of crucial vaccines, which proved a useful gauge of the effectiveness – and weaknesses – of supply chains. We also saw how the supply chain crisis throughout Europe in 2021 hit businesses and industry.

It’s vital that companies in the space adapt to the new digital era and stay agile enough to handle sudden market shifts or changes in demand. This necessitates adopting innovation to address industry challenges, instil greater transparency and optimise operations.

The advent of Web 3.0 signals the further evolution of distributed ledger technologies, most notably blockchain. The blockchain is ideally placed to resolve logistics and supply chain management pain points, and can have a transformational effect on business models and the future of logistics.

Addressing key supply chain challenges

One of the top challenges faced by the logistics industry is the lack of transparency and traceability involved in commercial freight. This not only causes inaccuracies and delays but can also lead to cost and reputational consequences for businesses.

As the market grows, so does the supply chain and its complexities when it comes to planning and maintaining the storage and delivery of goods to successfully meet the demands of the end customer. There’s a pressing need to implement more streamlined processes to optimise these activities, made all the more difficult by the many different geographies, local regulations and administration, payments and various other stages of getting goods from point A to B.

Ensuring on-time deliveries requires keeping on top of vast amounts of documentation, inventory management and route optimisation. In an increasingly digitalised world, as data sets become bigger, companies also face new threats such as data leakage, privacy concerns, fraud and the need to spot counterfeit goods fast. In fact, cargo loss is costing the industry $50bn per year globally.

Evidently something needs to change, and many logistics leaders are turning to the power of technological innovation to address roadblocks and boost operational and cost efficiencies, transparency and resilience in the face of a fast-moving market. Blockchain technologies can play a significant part in facilitating this much-needed change.

Blockchain brings compelling benefits

A core advantage of the blockchain is its ability to bring a previously unattainable level of efficiency and productivity in shipping and deliveries. It can aid the automation of manual activities and the entire procurement process, to eliminate the likelihood of human error and optimise workflows, thereby reducing the costs and time associated with cumbersome administrative processes.

It can speed up and streamline the exchange and verification of documents, tariffs, payments and invoicing, verification of ownership, quality checks and more, providing a ledger of all relevant data. Previously, these processes fell to manual efforts and exposed supply chains to risks of fraud, mistakes, and delays. Through the application of smart contracts, blockchain solutions fully automate all supply chain agreements, which also helps with dispute resolution between parties.

Another principal benefit of the blockchain is that it enables end-to-end real time tracking of locations, product movement and fleet performance, through shared access to data and digital documents for all participants along the supply chain.

Further, the immutable nature of the blockchain, which is based on cryptographic algorithms, can facilitate verifiable, fully traceable transactions and has far greater security credentials than other networks. While other systems tend to be centralised – meaning they are left open to attacks and modification – blockchain-based solutions offer a decentralised and tamper-proof way to record important information on a distributed ledger. This maintains the integrity of data stored on the series of ‘blocks’ on the chain, which cannot be compromised or corrupted, boosting firms’ ability to manage risk and comply with data protection regulations.

Instilling trust & transparency into operations

By leaning on the power of the blockchain – particularly when paired with the capabilities of other innovations in AI, machine learning and IoT – logistics businesses can drive greater supply chain transparency. Through better access to information, and a verifiable record of each stage in the shipping and delivery process, they can spend less time validating goods, lower the cost implications of counterfeit or mis-placed products, reduce duplication and improve compliance and reporting.

Furthermore, businesses can maintain more control over data and better communication between multiple parties. This allows more attention to be directed to making the best use of data to identify opportunities for even greater efficiencies, and insights that can add real value to businesses. This can cultivate trust and a solid track record that reflects on customer satisfaction, thereby strengthening companies’ competitive edge and resilience.

In the global logistics and transportation industry, the blockchain market is set to grow by almost $889m by 2025 compared with 2021. Despite being at a fairly early stage of adoption within logistics, awareness of the benefits of blockchain is growing. Major players, including MAERSK and Amazon, have already integrated it into their operations to improve supply chain visibility and accelerate the shipping process, and the rest of the market should follow in due course.

Embracing blockchain has the potential to fundamentally transform the logistics industry, unlocking greater value and propelling it to the next level of its tremendous growth trajectory.

 

Descartes helps Blue Sky grow e-Commerce

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Descartes Systems Group, a leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, has announced that New Mexico-based grocery and convenience item distributor Blue Sky Distribution is managing rapid e-Commerce growth and extreme peaks in order volumes using the Descartes OzLink Mobile Warehouse solution.

Fully integrated with NetSuite ERP, the Descartes solution helped Blue Sky to scale fulfilment while leveraging granular operational data to optimise returns management, sales forecasting and warehouse staff retention initiatives.

“We pride ourselves on providing customers with quality products and premium services – delivering goods on time and maintaining high fill rates to satisfy customer expectations,” said Robert Poole, CEO and President, Blue Sky Distribution. “As our e-Commerce business began to skyrocket, especially during intense seasonal spikes in demand, the Descartes solution allowed us to manage the growing volume and ensure a positive customer experience.

“Using Descartes OzLink, we replaced manual picking with mobile, barcode-enabled fulfilment workflows that increased efficiency, boosted performance and ensured the right items, in the right quantity, leave our warehouse in a timely manner. We also now have deep operational visibility into critical picking, receiving, and returns data – such as category and vendor fill rates, and insights into how many orders each employee picked – to improve inventory control, forecast more accurately, and enable us to offer incentive-based remuneration to warehouse staff to bolster retention.”

Descartes OzLink Mobile Warehouse helps distribution-intensive companies streamline and scale the order fulfilment process to drive growth and manage peak season volumes while minimising warehouse costs. With efficient and accurate order picking, companies reap the rewards of increased productivity and an elevated customer experience.

“We’re pleased to help Blue Sky effectively scale its fulfilment operations for its rapidly expanding ecommerce business,” said Troy Graham, Vice President, Ecommerce at Descartes. “Our growing suite of e-Commerce solutions facilitates logistics excellence from sale to delivery, helping distributors and retailers grow e-Commerce revenue and profitably scale their warehouse and shipping operations.”

 

Descartes helps Blue Sky grow e-Commerce

Posted on by David Priestman

Descartes Systems Group, a leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, has announced that New Mexico-based grocery and convenience item distributor Blue Sky Distribution is managing rapid e-Commerce growth and extreme peaks in order volumes using the Descartes OzLink Mobile Warehouse solution.

Fully integrated with NetSuite ERP, the Descartes solution helped Blue Sky to scale fulfilment while leveraging granular operational data to optimise returns management, sales forecasting and warehouse staff retention initiatives.

“We pride ourselves on providing customers with quality products and premium services – delivering goods on time and maintaining high fill rates to satisfy customer expectations,” said Robert Poole, CEO and President, Blue Sky Distribution. “As our e-Commerce business began to skyrocket, especially during intense seasonal spikes in demand, the Descartes solution allowed us to manage the growing volume and ensure a positive customer experience.

“Using Descartes OzLink, we replaced manual picking with mobile, barcode-enabled fulfilment workflows that increased efficiency, boosted performance and ensured the right items, in the right quantity, leave our warehouse in a timely manner. We also now have deep operational visibility into critical picking, receiving, and returns data – such as category and vendor fill rates, and insights into how many orders each employee picked – to improve inventory control, forecast more accurately, and enable us to offer incentive-based remuneration to warehouse staff to bolster retention.”

Descartes OzLink Mobile Warehouse helps distribution-intensive companies streamline and scale the order fulfilment process to drive growth and manage peak season volumes while minimising warehouse costs. With efficient and accurate order picking, companies reap the rewards of increased productivity and an elevated customer experience.

“We’re pleased to help Blue Sky effectively scale its fulfilment operations for its rapidly expanding ecommerce business,” said Troy Graham, Vice President, Ecommerce at Descartes. “Our growing suite of e-Commerce solutions facilitates logistics excellence from sale to delivery, helping distributors and retailers grow e-Commerce revenue and profitably scale their warehouse and shipping operations.”

 

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