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Day: 21 November 2022

Case study: efficient labelling for packages

Posted on by David Priestman

Etra Oy wanted to optimise labelling in its huge logistical centre in Finland, specifically for packages of bolts and screws it offers in all available sizes. Its huge stock of pre-printed labels kept growing along with its offering, and increased labelling efficiency became a necessity. In response, Brady helped Etra to optimise a huge stock of pre-printed labels.

Integrated high volume full colour label printer

Brady proposed the VP750 Label Printer that can quickly print huge volumes of high definition full-colour paper labels. The capabilities of the printer enable many on-site package label design options, both to identify and trace the contents of the package, and for marketing and branding purposes. Pictures, logos, barcodes, serial numbers and colours can easily be included.

Brady also supplied a number of rolls with custom-sized labels that fit any of Etra’s screw and bolt packages. These are easily recognised by the printer and the software Etra uses to avoid label design errors.

In addition, Brady technical experts supported the installation of the VP750 Label Printer and integrated it with Etra’s ERP-system and existing workflow. When bolts or screws are repackaged, their number and type per box are entered in the system, along with the number of boxes, and these data can be reused to print the labels on the VP750. A label rewinder was added to the printer and neatly printed label rolls can easily be inserted in Etra’s existing label applicator.

Racks of labels replaced by a few blank rolls

A small number of custom-sized labels on rolls, perfectly fit for the VP750 Label Printer, now replace huge stocks of labels with different pre-prints in Etra’s logistical centre. Operators no longer need to search for the right label.

After checking label size, any pre-designed data is easily and quickly printed with great accuracy on full-colour labels with the VP750 Label Printer. Adding colours and changing the look of a label is much easier and faster than before. The VP750 Label Printer brings highly practical flexibility in label design and implementation to the workspace.

 

Case study: efficient labelling for packages

Posted on by David Priestman

Etra Oy wanted to optimise labelling in its huge logistical centre in Finland, specifically for packages of bolts and screws it offers in all available sizes. Its huge stock of pre-printed labels kept growing along with its offering, and increased labelling efficiency became a necessity. In response, Brady helped Etra to optimise a huge stock of pre-printed labels.

Integrated high volume full colour label printer

Brady proposed the VP750 Label Printer that can quickly print huge volumes of high definition full-colour paper labels. The capabilities of the printer enable many on-site package label design options, both to identify and trace the contents of the package, and for marketing and branding purposes. Pictures, logos, barcodes, serial numbers and colours can easily be included.

Brady also supplied a number of rolls with custom-sized labels that fit any of Etra’s screw and bolt packages. These are easily recognised by the printer and the software Etra uses to avoid label design errors.

In addition, Brady technical experts supported the installation of the VP750 Label Printer and integrated it with Etra’s ERP-system and existing workflow. When bolts or screws are repackaged, their number and type per box are entered in the system, along with the number of boxes, and these data can be reused to print the labels on the VP750. A label rewinder was added to the printer and neatly printed label rolls can easily be inserted in Etra’s existing label applicator.

Racks of labels replaced by a few blank rolls

A small number of custom-sized labels on rolls, perfectly fit for the VP750 Label Printer, now replace huge stocks of labels with different pre-prints in Etra’s logistical centre. Operators no longer need to search for the right label.

After checking label size, any pre-designed data is easily and quickly printed with great accuracy on full-colour labels with the VP750 Label Printer. Adding colours and changing the look of a label is much easier and faster than before. The VP750 Label Printer brings highly practical flexibility in label design and implementation to the workspace.

 

Oakland appoints operations director

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has announced the appointment of Jas Sittre as Operations Director. Previously General Manager for transport and warehouse operations at DHL, Sittre has a wealth of operational experience having held a number of senior roles within the logistics sector.

Oakland International Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting said: “I am delighted to welcome Jas as Operations Director. His sector knowledge and experience will be put to good use supporting our strategic long-term growth plans and I very much look forward to working with him.”

As a leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution, Oakland International has taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified, a fast-growing movement using business as a force for good, with the company also working to becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero. BRCGS AA accredited, and a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development, Oakland is a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled, and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.

Commenting on his appointment, Sittre said: “I am really pleased to join Oakland International, a well-established business who are driving their innovative agenda and providing their clients with sustainability solutions.

“I have always worked within operations, and I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with a great team of people. I am also looking forward to working with Lee Whiting along with the board to grow the business even further over the coming years.”

 

Oakland appoints operations director

Posted on by David Priestman

Total supply chain solutions provider Oakland International has announced the appointment of Jas Sittre as Operations Director. Previously General Manager for transport and warehouse operations at DHL, Sittre has a wealth of operational experience having held a number of senior roles within the logistics sector.

Oakland International Chief Operating Officer Lee Whiting said: “I am delighted to welcome Jas as Operations Director. His sector knowledge and experience will be put to good use supporting our strategic long-term growth plans and I very much look forward to working with him.”

As a leading D2C/B2C/B2B specialist in contract packing, storage, picking, food distribution, Oakland International has taken the first step to becoming B Corp certified, a fast-growing movement using business as a force for good, with the company also working to becoming the first business within their sector to achieve net-zero. BRCGS AA accredited, and a double Queen’s Award for Enterprise recipient for International Trade and Sustainable Development, Oakland is a brand development support provider for ambient, chilled, and frozen food to the retail, convenience, discount, wholesale and food service markets in the UK, Ireland and via their partner in Spain.

Commenting on his appointment, Sittre said: “I am really pleased to join Oakland International, a well-established business who are driving their innovative agenda and providing their clients with sustainability solutions.

“I have always worked within operations, and I am very much looking forward to meeting and working with a great team of people. I am also looking forward to working with Lee Whiting along with the board to grow the business even further over the coming years.”

 

Manifest celebrates women in LogisticsTech

Posted on by David Priestman

Manifest Vegas will host a Women’s Lunch to celebrate women in LogisticsTech in partnership with DHL Supply Chain, Daimler Truck North America, Food Logistics and Supply and Demand Chain Executive on 2nd February, 2023, at Caesars Forum. Manifest is the only event that brings together industry executives, top venture investors, cutting edge startups and technology leaders that strive to find solutions to critical logistics & supply chain disruptions – while identifying breakthrough technologies.

Gartner research says that women in all supply chain roles dropped from 41% in 2021 to 39% in 2022, and at the most senior levels there was also a 2% drop. This is a worrisome trend in the opposite direction from previous years – where between 2016 and 2021 it rose from 35% to 41%. In its report “Diversity Wins”, McKinsey & Company asserts that companies with greater gender diversity have higher likelihoods of positive financial performance. The report also asserts that the diverse perspectives of women can help challenge legacy-focused mindsets, embrace innovative automation technologies and adapt to shifting regulatory mandates and industry trends faster.

The women’s lunch will welcome Katie Date, Leader of the Women in Supply Chain Initiative at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, who will discuss the importance of diversity in the supply chain and what she has learned talking to leaders of some of the largest supply chains in the world. Also joining the stage will be Alicemarie Geoffrion who is President of Packaging for DHL Supply Chain and was just named one of the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital. Geoffrion is also a member of the World Economic Forum and the community looks forward to being inspired by her story.

“We are thrilled to host two brilliant supply chain minds at our second annual Women’s Lunch. Their experience, insights and stories will undoubtedly resonate and add value to a discussion that will never really be over until we achieve real equality at the highest levels of the supply chain industry,” said Courtney Muller, President of Manifest.

Manifest’s commitment to diversity doesn’t end with the Women’s Lunch. The importance of including different perspectives from the LogisticsTech community can be seen throughout the entire Manifest Vegas speaker line-up which can be viewed on the website. While it is called a Women’s Lunch, both women and those that support them are invited to attend.

Manifest is organised by the same team that created InsureTech Connect, Blueprint, HR Transform and The Future of Logistics Tech Summit. Manifest will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from BCOs/Shippers. Next year’s event will bring together over 3,000 executives on 31st January – 2nd February 2023 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

As a reader of Logistics Business, CLICK THIS LINK to receive $200 off your registration fee.

Manifest celebrates women in LogisticsTech

Posted on by David Priestman

Manifest Vegas will host a Women’s Lunch to celebrate women in LogisticsTech in partnership with DHL Supply Chain, Daimler Truck North America, Food Logistics and Supply and Demand Chain Executive on 2nd February, 2023, at Caesars Forum. Manifest is the only event that brings together industry executives, top venture investors, cutting edge startups and technology leaders that strive to find solutions to critical logistics & supply chain disruptions – while identifying breakthrough technologies.

Gartner research says that women in all supply chain roles dropped from 41% in 2021 to 39% in 2022, and at the most senior levels there was also a 2% drop. This is a worrisome trend in the opposite direction from previous years – where between 2016 and 2021 it rose from 35% to 41%. In its report “Diversity Wins”, McKinsey & Company asserts that companies with greater gender diversity have higher likelihoods of positive financial performance. The report also asserts that the diverse perspectives of women can help challenge legacy-focused mindsets, embrace innovative automation technologies and adapt to shifting regulatory mandates and industry trends faster.

The women’s lunch will welcome Katie Date, Leader of the Women in Supply Chain Initiative at the MIT Center for Transportation and Logistics, who will discuss the importance of diversity in the supply chain and what she has learned talking to leaders of some of the largest supply chains in the world. Also joining the stage will be Alicemarie Geoffrion who is President of Packaging for DHL Supply Chain and was just named one of the Top 100 Women in Supply Chain by Supply Chain Digital. Geoffrion is also a member of the World Economic Forum and the community looks forward to being inspired by her story.

“We are thrilled to host two brilliant supply chain minds at our second annual Women’s Lunch. Their experience, insights and stories will undoubtedly resonate and add value to a discussion that will never really be over until we achieve real equality at the highest levels of the supply chain industry,” said Courtney Muller, President of Manifest.

Manifest’s commitment to diversity doesn’t end with the Women’s Lunch. The importance of including different perspectives from the LogisticsTech community can be seen throughout the entire Manifest Vegas speaker line-up which can be viewed on the website. While it is called a Women’s Lunch, both women and those that support them are invited to attend.

Manifest is organised by the same team that created InsureTech Connect, Blueprint, HR Transform and The Future of Logistics Tech Summit. Manifest will offer unparalleled access to a comprehensive gathering of entrepreneurs, investors and executives from BCOs/Shippers. Next year’s event will bring together over 3,000 executives on 31st January – 2nd February 2023 at Caesars Forum, Las Vegas.

As a reader of Logistics Business, CLICK THIS LINK to receive $200 off your registration fee.

BaubleBar revolutionises batch picking with WMS

Posted on by David Priestman

Fast growing trend-led accessories brand BaubleBar has revolutionised its batch picking and single item orders – for much greater throughput – after switching up to cloud-based SnapFulfil.

The New York-based company, which specialises in affordable yet desirable statement jewellery, recently ditched its inflexible and expensive-to-modify warehouse management system (WMS) for Synergy’s functionally rich and highly configurable SnapFulfil solution.

Shipping around 30,000 orders per month from its 40,000 sq ft distribution centre, BaubleBar has achieved an outstanding 10-fold increase in its pick rate, whilst maintaining 100% accuracy, since implementing SnapFulfil. In addition to successfully scaling up its B2B and wholesale channels, the company has also experienced up to a 30% jump in ecommerce/D2C sales.

SnapFulfil’s ‘SPIM’ is the favourite (and game changing) form of functionality for Maritza Mejia, Senior Operations & Customer Care Director at BaubleBar, because it facilitates streamlined and highly accurate single order line processing of multiple products. It also works in tandem with any other rules regarding stock availability and picking priority.

Mejia explains: “It’s quickly given us incredible efficiency and noticeable workflow and volume gains. Our picking rate has quickly gone up from 40 to 400 per hour, eliminating the previous bottlenecks and limitations of the old system.

“A custom made-to-order (MTO) program also allows our warehouse associates to easily pick unique items (without unique SKUs and sales tags) and track individual POs, inventory and order fulfilment through the WMS for the first time. We’ve only started scratching the surface, but with the real time data now available it will be our go-to business model and blueprint for the future and will triple the size of our business.”

BaubleBar’s implementation was handled remotely, giving them further time, money and resource savings and also coincided with a new ERP (NetSuite) and Shopping Cart – both of which directly integrate with SnapFulfil. Mejia and two of her team were also trained up to be Super Users, so they could easily and effectively cascade their system and testing knowledge down to new users accordingly and make Go-Live as seamless as possible.

They were even troubleshooting exceptions themselves online as the big day approached.

Mejia concludes: “Digital implementation initially seems daunting and challenging, but the SnapFulfil team is very diligent and thorough and soon put our minds at ease. We went live and to schedule with basically less zero disruption and they were very clear on what we have, what can further be achieved and the process improvements that go with it. That to me is the essence of a premier WMS system and service, where nothing is too much trouble.

“They also have a very consultative approach and we were able to brainstorm with them and have an input on the likes of the MTO modifications and racking. I also love the fact that they’re willing to let us ramp up and down on SnapFulfil licenses, as during seasonal peaks we now have the demand and capacity to scale up from 15-20 to 100-150 users per day.

BaubleBar revolutionises batch picking with WMS

Posted on by David Priestman

Fast growing trend-led accessories brand BaubleBar has revolutionised its batch picking and single item orders – for much greater throughput – after switching up to cloud-based SnapFulfil.

The New York-based company, which specialises in affordable yet desirable statement jewellery, recently ditched its inflexible and expensive-to-modify warehouse management system (WMS) for Synergy’s functionally rich and highly configurable SnapFulfil solution.

Shipping around 30,000 orders per month from its 40,000 sq ft distribution centre, BaubleBar has achieved an outstanding 10-fold increase in its pick rate, whilst maintaining 100% accuracy, since implementing SnapFulfil. In addition to successfully scaling up its B2B and wholesale channels, the company has also experienced up to a 30% jump in ecommerce/D2C sales.

SnapFulfil’s ‘SPIM’ is the favourite (and game changing) form of functionality for Maritza Mejia, Senior Operations & Customer Care Director at BaubleBar, because it facilitates streamlined and highly accurate single order line processing of multiple products. It also works in tandem with any other rules regarding stock availability and picking priority.

Mejia explains: “It’s quickly given us incredible efficiency and noticeable workflow and volume gains. Our picking rate has quickly gone up from 40 to 400 per hour, eliminating the previous bottlenecks and limitations of the old system.

“A custom made-to-order (MTO) program also allows our warehouse associates to easily pick unique items (without unique SKUs and sales tags) and track individual POs, inventory and order fulfilment through the WMS for the first time. We’ve only started scratching the surface, but with the real time data now available it will be our go-to business model and blueprint for the future and will triple the size of our business.”

BaubleBar’s implementation was handled remotely, giving them further time, money and resource savings and also coincided with a new ERP (NetSuite) and Shopping Cart – both of which directly integrate with SnapFulfil. Mejia and two of her team were also trained up to be Super Users, so they could easily and effectively cascade their system and testing knowledge down to new users accordingly and make Go-Live as seamless as possible.

They were even troubleshooting exceptions themselves online as the big day approached.

Mejia concludes: “Digital implementation initially seems daunting and challenging, but the SnapFulfil team is very diligent and thorough and soon put our minds at ease. We went live and to schedule with basically less zero disruption and they were very clear on what we have, what can further be achieved and the process improvements that go with it. That to me is the essence of a premier WMS system and service, where nothing is too much trouble.

“They also have a very consultative approach and we were able to brainstorm with them and have an input on the likes of the MTO modifications and racking. I also love the fact that they’re willing to let us ramp up and down on SnapFulfil licenses, as during seasonal peaks we now have the demand and capacity to scale up from 15-20 to 100-150 users per day.

Dover spells out green ambitions

Posted on by David Priestman

Speaking recently on a panel of governmental and industry maritime experts at COP27, Christian Pryce, chief commercial officer of the Port of Dover, said: “Decarbonising the world’s busiest maritime corridor will deliver a seismic boost to the UK’s recently announced green shipping ambitions that include the US, Norway and the Netherlands.”

He continued: “One year on from the Clydebank Declaration, in which the UK and 23 other states set out their ambition to collaborate on green shipping corridors, it is encouraging to see progress being made and we are determined to deliver even more. We want to secure meaningful decarbonisation for the UK and international supply chains and so have made it our mission to work with our partners on both sides of the Short Straits as together we fully commit to achieving a high-volume green shipping corridor with France.”

The Port of Dover handles 33% of the UK’s trade in goods with the EU, 59% of UK-EU ferry journeys and 2.4 million freight vehicles annually.

Having unveiled its ambitions to the Government in May 2022, the Port of Dover took a significant step forward in becoming the UK’s first high-volume green shipping corridor when, in September, the Government awarded it funding for the Green Corridor Short Straits consortium’s feasibility study to establish a zero-carbon trade route, a partnership which also includes French sister ports, Calais and Dunkirk.

Pryce continued: “Spurred on by the Government’s recent backing of our efforts to develop a high-volume green shipping corridor, we will progress our work with France and look forward to it being included in the nations with which the UK is formally collaborating. Given the urgency to reduce maritime emissions, there needs to be the greatest possible ambition in how this task is pursued. A high-volume green shipping corridor delivering 130 ferry movements each day across the short straits being included with other shipping routes will be a transformative win for the UK. We are leading the charge, working together across the public and private sector with government, industry and academia.

“We will work together for a single joined-up solution. We’re a proud maritime nation in the UK and we want to be able to enhance and share our learnings as much as possible.”

The importance of the UK’s role as a leader and source of knowledge was echoed by Baroness Vere on the panel, who commented: “The UK will continue to lead and take an enlightened and forward-thinking view. We want our ports to work with other ports and share knowledge.”

The Short Straits is the busiest maritime corridor in the world, carrying a significant emissions footprint. Upcoming progress is set to include cleaner tonnage, particularly two new hybrid ‘super ferries’ that will be an important step forward towards decarbonisation of this critical route. This could also be supported by improved infrastructure, including making greater use of the Port of Dover’s topography, which allows for new bespoke solutions, such as energy storage (battery and hydrogen) and new power connections and links.

“A high-volume green shipping corridor with France will not only help reduce the stubbornly high emissions from the UK transport sector but will also display British-led global best practice when it comes to decarbonising not only shipping and maritime but the wider UK supply chain. With volume on this route set to grow – the market wants and chooses Dover over other options – it is vital that we take meaningful action now, and we are doing so with our partners as this can only succeed through strong and continuing collaboration,” concluded Pryce.

Dover spells out green ambitions

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Speaking recently on a panel of governmental and industry maritime experts at COP27, Christian Pryce, chief commercial officer of the Port of Dover, said: “Decarbonising the world’s busiest maritime corridor will deliver a seismic boost to the UK’s recently announced green shipping ambitions that include the US, Norway and the Netherlands.”

He continued: “One year on from the Clydebank Declaration, in which the UK and 23 other states set out their ambition to collaborate on green shipping corridors, it is encouraging to see progress being made and we are determined to deliver even more. We want to secure meaningful decarbonisation for the UK and international supply chains and so have made it our mission to work with our partners on both sides of the Short Straits as together we fully commit to achieving a high-volume green shipping corridor with France.”

The Port of Dover handles 33% of the UK’s trade in goods with the EU, 59% of UK-EU ferry journeys and 2.4 million freight vehicles annually.

Having unveiled its ambitions to the Government in May 2022, the Port of Dover took a significant step forward in becoming the UK’s first high-volume green shipping corridor when, in September, the Government awarded it funding for the Green Corridor Short Straits consortium’s feasibility study to establish a zero-carbon trade route, a partnership which also includes French sister ports, Calais and Dunkirk.

Pryce continued: “Spurred on by the Government’s recent backing of our efforts to develop a high-volume green shipping corridor, we will progress our work with France and look forward to it being included in the nations with which the UK is formally collaborating. Given the urgency to reduce maritime emissions, there needs to be the greatest possible ambition in how this task is pursued. A high-volume green shipping corridor delivering 130 ferry movements each day across the short straits being included with other shipping routes will be a transformative win for the UK. We are leading the charge, working together across the public and private sector with government, industry and academia.

“We will work together for a single joined-up solution. We’re a proud maritime nation in the UK and we want to be able to enhance and share our learnings as much as possible.”

The importance of the UK’s role as a leader and source of knowledge was echoed by Baroness Vere on the panel, who commented: “The UK will continue to lead and take an enlightened and forward-thinking view. We want our ports to work with other ports and share knowledge.”

The Short Straits is the busiest maritime corridor in the world, carrying a significant emissions footprint. Upcoming progress is set to include cleaner tonnage, particularly two new hybrid ‘super ferries’ that will be an important step forward towards decarbonisation of this critical route. This could also be supported by improved infrastructure, including making greater use of the Port of Dover’s topography, which allows for new bespoke solutions, such as energy storage (battery and hydrogen) and new power connections and links.

“A high-volume green shipping corridor with France will not only help reduce the stubbornly high emissions from the UK transport sector but will also display British-led global best practice when it comes to decarbonising not only shipping and maritime but the wider UK supply chain. With volume on this route set to grow – the market wants and chooses Dover over other options – it is vital that we take meaningful action now, and we are doing so with our partners as this can only succeed through strong and continuing collaboration,” concluded Pryce.

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