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Month: November 2023

ASRS and Software Enhance Milk Delivery

Posted on by David Priestman

Swisslog, a leading provider of best-in-class intralogistics warehouse automation and software, has announced that Walmart will install a Swisslog automation solution within its Valdosta, Georgia, USA facility to enable seamless material flow and increase uptime. Walmart is planning to break ground on the milk processing facility later this year and the project is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

According to Walmart, the automated storage and retrieval solution (ASRS) will bolster the company’s capacity to meet consumer demand for milk. It continues the company’s commitment to building a more resilient and transparent supply chain to deliver high-quality products. This is Walmart’s second milk processing facility. The company worked with Swisslog to open its first milk processing facility in Fort Wayne, Indiana, USA in 2018.

Designed by Swisslog’s automation experts, the ASRS brings together five Vectura pallet stacker cranes with KUKA palletizing and de-palletizing robots, a ProMove pallet conveyor system, as well as a conveyor system for small loads. The automation solution operates on synchronized intelligence from Swisslog’s SynQ software, which provides warehouse management, material flow and automation control system functionality in a single, modular platform.

“We are excited to partner with Walmart once again to open its second milk processing facility. From the initial discussion through design completion, it has been a very hands-on, collaborative and proactive approach,” said Sean Wallingford, president, and CEO of Swisslog Americas. “Our automation experts worked closely with Walmart’s group to incorporate lessons learned and best practices from the first processing facility, as well as improvement concepts designed to enable Walmart and its farmers to bring fresh, transparently sourced dairy to market.”

The project also includes Swisslog’s IT Managed Services, which puts in place experts to proactively manage the IT systems and software required to keep the equipment running at peak performance. The higher-level 24/7 support allows Walmart to free up internal resources from routine IT system administration, while also enabling data-driven proactive maintenance that helps reduce unplanned downtime.

SynQ management software not only optimizes the flow of the equipment to increase efficiency and accuracy of the operation, it also orchestrates the operation of multiple sub-systems. It equips warehouse automation and IT systems with synchronized intelligence of people, processes and machines to boost the efficiency and productivity of warehouse processes and adapt to changing market requirements. SynQ provides sophisticated inventory management and material flow capabilities that enable real-time inventory tracking and management of items to ensure freshness, quality and transparency of the food supply chain.

14 Years of Innovation and Dedication

Posted on by David Priestman

In the world of logistics and supply chain automation, few stories are as compelling as that of Nick Eijkemans, whose remarkable journey with Ancra Systems spans over a decade and a half. With a passion for crafting customer-centric solutions and a commitment to maintaining Ancra Systems’ position in the field of Automatic Loading and Unloading of goods in trailers, his’s story is one of unwavering dedication and technological prowess.

Eijkemans’ adventure with Ancra Systems started back in 2009, just after he had graduated from ‘s-Hertogenbosch College with a specialization in industrial automation. His early experiences included internships at CSi Palletising and a graduation project at Vanderlande, which ignited his fascination with logistics automation. It was at Ancra Systems in Boxtel, Netherlands, where he discovered his true calling — a place where he could be deeply involved in projects from their inception to execution.

For Eijkemans, the choice was clear: a role that seamlessly blended office work with hands-on practical testing in the workshop, culminating in the global commissioning of machines. Little did he know that this choice would pave the way for an incredible career filled with innovation and customer satisfaction.

The Rise to Engineering Manager

Over the course of fourteen years, Eijkemans‘ journey at Ancra Systems has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a recent graduate, he has climbed the ranks to become the engineering manager. He emphasizes that ‘no day is the same,’ which keeps his job as challenging and exciting as ever.

Unforgettable Projects

Throughout his career, Eijkemans has had the privilege of working on some truly unforgettable projects. One of his first projects, completed in 2009 at Hartog and Bikker in Den Bosch, involved a complex customization system with numerous buffer choices, a shuttle car, and pallet supply by AGVs. Another project that holds a special place for him is the one at SAS Automotive in Ghent, where a loading system for Volvo dashboards was developed. This system, with two levels in trucks and on the shuttle car, turntables, cross tables, and various buffer tracks to load and unload. Barcode scanners monitored the correct sequence, and through manual input sections or so-called ‘fast lanes’, a dashboard that was entered later could still be placed in the right position in the truck. It was a technical marvel that required precision.

Leading a Fantastic Team

Eijkemans thrives on the daily challenges he faces at Ancra Systems. He remarks, “both technology and customer demands change at a rapid pace. Every day, you must give 100% effort to come up with the most suitable solution for customers.” Together with his colleagues, he has dedicated himself to making Ancra Systems one of the market leaders in automatic loading and unloading.

LEGO Technic Passion

Lifelong passion for technology has been the driving force behind Eijkemans’ fascination, starting at a young age with LEGO Technic sets. Today, he remains deeply engrossed in technology, both at work and in his personal life. He’s the go-to person for repairing his children’s electronic toys, frequently dissecting them down to the circuit board level. At Ancra Systems, he and his fellow engineers stay up to date with the latest technology through regular courses, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge.

Customer-Centric Success

Eijkemans takes immense pride in Ancra Systems‘ global success. He emphasizes the company’s dedication to its customers, highlighting that, “giving each customer the right attention and time, involving them in what we do and what we excel at, is the key to success.”

Looking ahead, Eijkemans envisions a future at Ancra Systems filled with exciting challenges. He has been increasingly involved in operational matters like project management and procurement, which he finds incredibly fascinating. As the months unfold, he’s focused on finalizing the standardization of important ATLS systems, knowing that new goals and technologies are just around the corner. “Engineering is a department that never stands still; each year brings new goals and new technologies.” With his dedication and Ancra Systems’ commitment to innovation, the future looks bright for this dynamic leader and the company he has helped shape.

14 Years of Innovation and Dedication

Posted on by David Priestman

In the world of logistics and supply chain automation, few stories are as compelling as that of Nick Eijkemans, whose remarkable journey with Ancra Systems spans over a decade and a half. With a passion for crafting customer-centric solutions and a commitment to maintaining Ancra Systems’ position in the field of Automatic Loading and Unloading of goods in trailers, his’s story is one of unwavering dedication and technological prowess.

Eijkemans’ adventure with Ancra Systems started back in 2009, just after he had graduated from ‘s-Hertogenbosch College with a specialization in industrial automation. His early experiences included internships at CSi Palletising and a graduation project at Vanderlande, which ignited his fascination with logistics automation. It was at Ancra Systems in Boxtel, Netherlands, where he discovered his true calling — a place where he could be deeply involved in projects from their inception to execution.

For Eijkemans, the choice was clear: a role that seamlessly blended office work with hands-on practical testing in the workshop, culminating in the global commissioning of machines. Little did he know that this choice would pave the way for an incredible career filled with innovation and customer satisfaction.

The Rise to Engineering Manager

Over the course of fourteen years, Eijkemans‘ journey at Ancra Systems has been nothing short of extraordinary. From his early days as a recent graduate, he has climbed the ranks to become the engineering manager. He emphasizes that ‘no day is the same,’ which keeps his job as challenging and exciting as ever.

Unforgettable Projects

Throughout his career, Eijkemans has had the privilege of working on some truly unforgettable projects. One of his first projects, completed in 2009 at Hartog and Bikker in Den Bosch, involved a complex customization system with numerous buffer choices, a shuttle car, and pallet supply by AGVs. Another project that holds a special place for him is the one at SAS Automotive in Ghent, where a loading system for Volvo dashboards was developed. This system, with two levels in trucks and on the shuttle car, turntables, cross tables, and various buffer tracks to load and unload. Barcode scanners monitored the correct sequence, and through manual input sections or so-called ‘fast lanes’, a dashboard that was entered later could still be placed in the right position in the truck. It was a technical marvel that required precision.

Leading a Fantastic Team

Eijkemans thrives on the daily challenges he faces at Ancra Systems. He remarks, “both technology and customer demands change at a rapid pace. Every day, you must give 100% effort to come up with the most suitable solution for customers.” Together with his colleagues, he has dedicated himself to making Ancra Systems one of the market leaders in automatic loading and unloading.

LEGO Technic Passion

Lifelong passion for technology has been the driving force behind Eijkemans’ fascination, starting at a young age with LEGO Technic sets. Today, he remains deeply engrossed in technology, both at work and in his personal life. He’s the go-to person for repairing his children’s electronic toys, frequently dissecting them down to the circuit board level. At Ancra Systems, he and his fellow engineers stay up to date with the latest technology through regular courses, ensuring they remain at the cutting edge.

Customer-Centric Success

Eijkemans takes immense pride in Ancra Systems‘ global success. He emphasizes the company’s dedication to its customers, highlighting that, “giving each customer the right attention and time, involving them in what we do and what we excel at, is the key to success.”

Looking ahead, Eijkemans envisions a future at Ancra Systems filled with exciting challenges. He has been increasingly involved in operational matters like project management and procurement, which he finds incredibly fascinating. As the months unfold, he’s focused on finalizing the standardization of important ATLS systems, knowing that new goals and technologies are just around the corner. “Engineering is a department that never stands still; each year brings new goals and new technologies.” With his dedication and Ancra Systems’ commitment to innovation, the future looks bright for this dynamic leader and the company he has helped shape.

China-UK Air Cargo Route Trial

Posted on by Keith McKinley

Global integrated logistics company A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has chosen Bournemouth Airport (BOH) as its UK gateway for a trial of a new route from China.

Carrier Maersk Air Cargo has started the weekly service from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) in Zhejiang province to Bournemouth using a 45-tonne capacity Boeing 767-300 freighter, working with BOH’s in-house air freight business Cargo First.

It is the latest coup for Bournemouth’s fast-growing cargo operation which continues to establish itself as an alternative gateway outside London.

For Copenhagen-based Maersk, the route is part of its growing air freighter network between mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US. In March it launched a service from Hangzhou to Billund Airport (BLL) in Denmark, and from Hangzhou to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in the US in April.

The Bournemouth route will initially operate until the end of the year, helping to meet peak demand, with potential to continue thereafter.

Gary Jeffreys, Managing Director of Maersk Area UK & Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Maersk Air Cargo landing in the UK. This represents our integrator strategy and demonstrates our product offering and capabilities across all modes of transport. Whether it be time critical, capacity challenges or product launches we have the capabilities to meet our customers’ demands.”

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We’re delighted that Maersk has chosen Bournemouth for this new route as we grow our ambition to become the UK’s number one entry and exit point for time critical cargo. We now have 500 tonnes of weekly import capacity operating between China and Bournemouth as more customers take advantage of our location, lack of slot constraints and ‘One Team’ integrated approach across all airport and cargo handling operations.”

Bournemouth Airport and Cargo First are part of the UK’s privately-owned Regional and City Airports (RCA) group, which also owns the neighbouring Cargo First Logistics Park at Bournemouth Airport, with over one million square feet of warehousing development potential.

China-UK Air Cargo Route Trial

Posted on by David Priestman

Global integrated logistics company A.P. Moller – Maersk (Maersk) has chosen Bournemouth Airport (BOH) as its UK gateway for a trial of a new route from China.

Carrier Maersk Air Cargo has started the weekly service from Hangzhou Xiaoshan International Airport (HGH) in Zhejiang province to Bournemouth using a 45-tonne capacity Boeing 767-300 freighter, working with BOH’s in-house air freight business Cargo First.

It is the latest coup for Bournemouth’s fast-growing cargo operation which continues to establish itself as an alternative gateway outside London.

For Copenhagen-based Maersk, the route is part of its growing air freighter network between mainland China, Southeast Asia, Europe and the US. In March it launched a service from Hangzhou to Billund Airport (BLL) in Denmark, and from Hangzhou to Chicago Rockford International Airport (RFD) in the US in April.

The Bournemouth route will initially operate until the end of the year, helping to meet peak demand, with potential to continue thereafter.

Gary Jeffreys, Managing Director of Maersk Area UK & Ireland, said: “It’s fantastic to see Maersk Air Cargo landing in the UK. This represents our integrator strategy and demonstrates our product offering and capabilities across all modes of transport. Whether it be time critical, capacity challenges or product launches we have the capabilities to meet our customers’ demands.”

Steve Gill, Managing Director of Bournemouth Airport, said: “We’re delighted that Maersk has chosen Bournemouth for this new route as we grow our ambition to become the UK’s number one entry and exit point for time critical cargo. We now have 500 tonnes of weekly import capacity operating between China and Bournemouth as more customers take advantage of our location, lack of slot constraints and ‘One Team’ integrated approach across all airport and cargo handling operations.”

Bournemouth Airport and Cargo First are part of the UK’s privately-owned Regional and City Airports (RCA) group, which also owns the neighbouring Cargo First Logistics Park at Bournemouth Airport, with over one million square feet of warehousing development potential.

Future-proof Supply Chain Network

Posted on by David Priestman

LGCF, France’s leading wine exporting company, relies on Körber’s Warehouse Management System, Warehouse Control System, voice and gamification solutions to accelerate the performance at 14 logistics sites.

Active in 178 countries for a turnover of 1.3 billion euros in 2022, LGCF heads into the comprehensive modernization of its supply chain processes through the implementation of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) for all of its 14 sites and a Warehouse Contol System (WCS) for the automated sites at Petersbach (Alsace) and Landiras (Bordeaux). Adding to that, the company is also planning to introduce voice and gamification, showcasing the level of modernization it aims at.

LGCF is the world’s 5th largest wine exporter and addresses various objectives through this large-scale project: software-powered performance gains, improved supply chain resilience and reliability, and finally the introduction of both automated and labor engaging solutions in its warehouses. The transformation also contributes to solving a structural problem. The software used until then allowed little evolution, whereas Körber will enable an optimization of warehouse workflows, ongoing end-to-end support and, above all, solid expertise in introducing a new era of supply chain management at multiple locations.

Supply Chain Network

Several factors were decisive in bringing LGCF and Körber together. One reason is Körber’s broad expertise and unparalleled breadth and depth of supply chain solutions for the retail sector. “Commerce has been unpredictable the last three years, and yet customer expectations and the demand for performance remain high”, comments Ottavio Rivelli, SVP Sales & Operations Software South Europe at Körber Business Area Supply Chain. “Organizations must have technology that provides the agility and flexibility to adapt and respond to the market in consumer-oriented ways. We are therefore excited to accelerate the performance of LGCF’s national supply chain network – and help them bring their fulfilment strategy to the next level.”

“As the global modernization of our supply chain processes is a major project, we look forward to partnering with Körber for several reasons,” explains Eric Marseglia, Head of Industrial IT & Logistics LGCF. “On the one hand, we are anticipating a thoroughly planned transition without interruption for our business. On the other hand, we aim higher than mere collaboration by building a strong long-term partnership for the strategic decisions to be made. Another benefit lies in the system architecture to be built, ensuring that integrated workflows will guarantee continuity in the production chain; i.e. total 24/7 system availability – for the sake of our customers.”

The project is expected to start in June 2024 with the installation of four sites by Körber, the remaining ten will be handled by GCF. The overall modernization undertaking is expected to be completed before the end of the first half of 2026.

Supply chains are growing more complex by the day. Körber provides a broad range of proven end-to-end solutions tailored to help manage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. Fitting any business size, strategy or industry, its customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain thanks to a portfolio of software, voice, and robotics solutions – plus the expertise to tie it all together.

Future-proof Supply Chain Network

Posted on by David Priestman

LGCF, France’s leading wine exporting company, relies on Körber’s Warehouse Management System, Warehouse Control System, voice and gamification solutions to accelerate the performance at 14 logistics sites.

Active in 178 countries for a turnover of 1.3 billion euros in 2022, LGCF heads into the comprehensive modernization of its supply chain processes through the implementation of a Warehouse Management System (WMS) for all of its 14 sites and a Warehouse Contol System (WCS) for the automated sites at Petersbach (Alsace) and Landiras (Bordeaux). Adding to that, the company is also planning to introduce voice and gamification, showcasing the level of modernization it aims at.

LGCF is the world’s 5th largest wine exporter and addresses various objectives through this large-scale project: software-powered performance gains, improved supply chain resilience and reliability, and finally the introduction of both automated and labor engaging solutions in its warehouses. The transformation also contributes to solving a structural problem. The software used until then allowed little evolution, whereas Körber will enable an optimization of warehouse workflows, ongoing end-to-end support and, above all, solid expertise in introducing a new era of supply chain management at multiple locations.

Supply Chain Network

Several factors were decisive in bringing LGCF and Körber together. One reason is Körber’s broad expertise and unparalleled breadth and depth of supply chain solutions for the retail sector. “Commerce has been unpredictable the last three years, and yet customer expectations and the demand for performance remain high”, comments Ottavio Rivelli, SVP Sales & Operations Software South Europe at Körber Business Area Supply Chain. “Organizations must have technology that provides the agility and flexibility to adapt and respond to the market in consumer-oriented ways. We are therefore excited to accelerate the performance of LGCF’s national supply chain network – and help them bring their fulfilment strategy to the next level.”

“As the global modernization of our supply chain processes is a major project, we look forward to partnering with Körber for several reasons,” explains Eric Marseglia, Head of Industrial IT & Logistics LGCF. “On the one hand, we are anticipating a thoroughly planned transition without interruption for our business. On the other hand, we aim higher than mere collaboration by building a strong long-term partnership for the strategic decisions to be made. Another benefit lies in the system architecture to be built, ensuring that integrated workflows will guarantee continuity in the production chain; i.e. total 24/7 system availability – for the sake of our customers.”

The project is expected to start in June 2024 with the installation of four sites by Körber, the remaining ten will be handled by GCF. The overall modernization undertaking is expected to be completed before the end of the first half of 2026.

Supply chains are growing more complex by the day. Körber provides a broad range of proven end-to-end solutions tailored to help manage the supply chain as a competitive advantage. Fitting any business size, strategy or industry, its customers conquer the complexity of the supply chain thanks to a portfolio of software, voice, and robotics solutions – plus the expertise to tie it all together.

Right-size Auto Packaging

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading sports fashion retailer, JD, has embarked upon a programme of investment into Sparck Technologies’ advanced right-size auto-boxing systems. After the initial installation of one of Sparck’s CVP Impack systems at the retailer’s Rochdale DC in 2021, the company has now taken delivery of a top of the range CVP Everest, as part of JD’s fully-automated ecommerce DC in Derby.

The CVP Impack at JD’s Rochdale facility has been successfully packing online orders at a rate of up to 500 boxes per hour – automatically creating made-to-measure boxes precisely to the optimum dimensions required for each and every order.

Confidence in the efficiency of Sparck’s right-size boxing technology, gained at the Rochdale DC, led the retailer to upgrade to a high-speed CVP Everest machine ¬– capable of creating and boxing 1100 single or multiple-item orders per hour – at its new Derby fulfilment centre. The latest investment by JD is part of an on-going partnership with Sparck Technologies, with exciting ‘market-leading’ innovations to come.

Commenting on the decision to invest in high-speed fit-to-size packaging technology, Paul Stokes, Head of Automation and Engineering at JD, says: “Having experienced the speed, reliability and performance of Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack machine at our Rochdale DC, we are confident that right-size boxing technology is a key capability for the future – offering major benefits in fulfilling ecommerce orders in a cost-efficient and sustainable way. We believe this is the start of an exciting partnership with Sparck.”

The CVP packaging systems are highly flexible, capable of producing tailor-made packages at speed, whilst being able to cater for single or multi-item orders with differing product profiles.

Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of Europe’s largest retail brands and we look forward to working with them on fulfilling their growth objectives for the future.”

With the capability to tailor-make up to 1,100 boxes per hour, for multiple or single item orders, the CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging systems offer automated solutions for ecommerce operations challenged by increasing order volumes and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions. With installations across Europe, the US and Canada, the CVP Automated Packaging Solutions effortlessly create, fill, fold and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

Right-size Auto Packaging

Posted on by David Priestman

Leading sports fashion retailer, JD, has embarked upon a programme of investment into Sparck Technologies’ advanced right-size auto-boxing systems. After the initial installation of one of Sparck’s CVP Impack systems at the retailer’s Rochdale DC in 2021, the company has now taken delivery of a top of the range CVP Everest, as part of JD’s fully-automated ecommerce DC in Derby.

The CVP Impack at JD’s Rochdale facility has been successfully packing online orders at a rate of up to 500 boxes per hour – automatically creating made-to-measure boxes precisely to the optimum dimensions required for each and every order.

Confidence in the efficiency of Sparck’s right-size boxing technology, gained at the Rochdale DC, led the retailer to upgrade to a high-speed CVP Everest machine ¬– capable of creating and boxing 1100 single or multiple-item orders per hour – at its new Derby fulfilment centre. The latest investment by JD is part of an on-going partnership with Sparck Technologies, with exciting ‘market-leading’ innovations to come.

Commenting on the decision to invest in high-speed fit-to-size packaging technology, Paul Stokes, Head of Automation and Engineering at JD, says: “Having experienced the speed, reliability and performance of Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack machine at our Rochdale DC, we are confident that right-size boxing technology is a key capability for the future – offering major benefits in fulfilling ecommerce orders in a cost-efficient and sustainable way. We believe this is the start of an exciting partnership with Sparck.”

The CVP packaging systems are highly flexible, capable of producing tailor-made packages at speed, whilst being able to cater for single or multi-item orders with differing product profiles.

Jo Bradley, Business Development Manager for Sparck Technologies in the UK, says: “We are delighted to be partnering with one of Europe’s largest retail brands and we look forward to working with them on fulfilling their growth objectives for the future.”

With the capability to tailor-make up to 1,100 boxes per hour, for multiple or single item orders, the CVP Everest and CVP Impack packaging systems offer automated solutions for ecommerce operations challenged by increasing order volumes and growing demands for sustainable packaging solutions. With installations across Europe, the US and Canada, the CVP Automated Packaging Solutions effortlessly create, fill, fold and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

Challenges of Peak Season Logistics

Posted on by David Priestman

As the holiday shopping season rapidly approaches, shippers and carriers are yet again gearing up to tackle the formidable logistical and customer service challenges that inevitably come with peak season volumes. However, this year, their task is further complicated by ongoing supply chain disruptions all while grappling with the increasing uncertainty based on the geopolitical situation. Yet amid these challenges, customer expectations continue to soar, demanding fast, convenient, and on-time deliveries accompanied by real-time communication. To paraphrase Game of Thrones, Winter is certainly coming.

Shippers, carriers, and customers alike are no strangers to the stress involved in the months leading up to Christmas. With Black Friday, Christmas and Boxing Day sales just around the corner and unforeseen circumstances and delays, the potential for overwhelm is ever-present. However, proactive planning and more organised transportation operations can alleviate these concerns, ensuring that any potential threats to deliver a seamless peak season can be avoided.

Therefore, the need for swift and intelligent delivery solutions is more critical than ever. Transportation Management Platforms (TMP) emerge as a key enabler, allowing stakeholders to optimise delivery times, enhance agility, and streamline their sustainability and costs, all while meeting rising consumer expectations. In this article, Christian Dolderer (pictured), Head of Market Intelligence Europe Road & Intermodal at Transporeon explains why it’s vital that retailers should prepare a seamless end-to-end supply chain before the run up to 2023’s peak season.

The Beauty of Data

Shippers and carriers are facing a delicate balancing act of keeping costs down while meeting the needs of increasingly demanding consumers. An empty shelf isn’t just a lost sale for someone – it’s a reason for customers to switch to another brand. So, businesses looking to drive as much value as possible from their operations also must ensure resilience against disruptions that, according to McKinsey, are becoming increasingly frequent.

Achieving an equilibrium between value and resilience starts with digitisation. The truth is that shippers and carriers aren’t as digitised as they should be. The era of Excel spreadsheets, manual searches, and endless route and rate browsing have become relics of the past. This inefficient administration burns valuable resources and fails to deliver optimum outcomes.

Now is the time for enterprises to pivot from mere data collection and embark on the process of generating transactions with the data at their disposal. Automated, data-driven decision-making within a collaborative and interconnected network, leveraging historical patterns, real-time data, and future predictions, will enhance transportation operations and enable reactions to fluctuating customer demands and adaptations to unforeseen events, such as border closures or dangerous weather conditions.

At the same time, tapping into data will provide balance in optimising their operations. Consider a day-to-day product such as toilet rolls, which is transported from warehouses to multiple countries and hundreds – if not thousands – of locations within those countries on a near-daily basis. These transports may have to cross international borders, adapt their routes due to traffic jams or road closures, and sync up with countless other transports. The logistics involved are staggering, but data can act as the common thread that ties such a complex operation together.

By investing in a smart Transport Management Platform, carriers and shippers can unlock multiple benefits such as optimising their operations and building greater profit margins. However, achieving it requires businesses to think beyond basic automation.

We’re Better Together

At times like peak season, it is more important than ever for enterprises to unite and work together to unlock operational benefits. For example, there’s no reason for trucks to travel hundreds of empty miles when a similar truck, equipped for the task, is more than likely unloading nearby. It’s time for shippers and carriers to forge connections with one another, establish common business standards, foster collaboration and embrace a platform that facilitates network-wide interoperability.

During peak season, connecting shippers, load recipients, service providers, brokers, forwarders and asset-based carriers is integral to creating a collaborative transportation community. By adhering to common standards and promoting interoperability, all stakeholders can uncover new business opportunities while achieving economies in their operations. This spirit of collaboration will grant the transportation market resilience and agility – both critical components, as highlighted in the 33rd Annual State of Logistics (SoL) report.

Long before the holiday season, shippers and carriers must be prepared to build deeper relationships and drive collaboration with other industry stakeholders within one connected network. They must work together to realise the economic gains available. It’s also clear that only through the implementation of digital tools, automation of the decision-making processes, and the harnessing of real-time insights, can the necessary steps be taken to establish the connectivity and interoperability required to bring logistics businesses together.

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