How is the ‘Uberisation’ of Warehouses Changing Supply Chains?

Warehouse ‘uberisation’ is changing supply chain, writes Steve O’Keeffe (pictured below), Regional Vice President of UK&I, Epicor.

We live in an ‘on-demand’ economy. Amazon’s ‘Last Mile’ logistics model, as well as platforms like Uber, Airbnb and a whole host of others, has led consumers to expect near-instantaneous delivery of products and services. This has set high standards across industries, compelling businesses to rethink their supply chain strategies to keep up. The nature of this ‘on-demand’ paradigm, alongside the growing trend towards the ‘uberisation’ of warehouses, is drastically reshaping the supply chain landscape. This shift involves converting underused spaces into strategically located micro-warehouses, bringing products closer to customers.

By decentralising their warehousing network and integrating these localised storage facilities, companies have reduced delivery times and improved customer satisfaction. But why are local warehouses important?

Local warehouses have become crucial in the modern supply chain. Unlike large, centralised warehouses that serve broad geographic areas, these facilities can be situated closer to urban centres and densely populated regions. This proximity allows for quicker last-mile deliveries, which are often the most time-consuming and expensive part of the delivery process, a hallmark of Amazon’s renowned efficiency. Local warehouses play a vital role in the modern supply chain, not just for their geographic location but also for their versatility. They can be established in diverse types of locations, such as garages, unused office spaces, and even within retail shops, maximising space and reducing overhead costs.

Challenges for Business Leaders

While the uberisation of warehouses offers many advantages, it also presents challenges for supply chain managers. Ensuring security and safety within these unconventional storage spaces is essential, necessitating investment in robust security systems and insurance policies to protect against theft, fire, damp, and structural damages. This is crucial for safeguarding inventory and maintaining customer trust.

Steve O’Keeffe

The fragmentation of the warehousing network also requires careful coordination and integration between each element of the supply chain to prevent disruptions and inefficiencies, demanding a strategic logistics approach, where technology is vital for providing visibility.

The Role of Technology

Technology is the lynchpin in modern warehousing. Advanced warehouse management systems and real-time tracking technologies enable businesses to maintain precise oversight of inventory across multiple locations. These systems enhance visibility, allowing for rapid decision-making and agile response to market demands. The integration of IoT and AI also unlocks huge potential. IoT devices can monitor the warehouse environment, ensuring ideal storage conditions and reducing the risk of damage to goods, while AI algorithms can analyse vast amounts of data to optimise routing, predict demand, and streamline operations. Businesses must adopt scalable and flexible technological solutions to remain competitive in this dynamic environment. The ability to quickly adapt is critical.

Speed and Convenience

The uberisation of warehouses represents a transformative shift in the supply chain landscape, driven by the need to meet rising consumer expectations for speed and convenience. While this model brings strategic advantages, it also presents challenges in security, coordination, and tech integration. However, with a solid tech-savvy strategy, businesses can thrive in this new landscape, staying resilient and competitive. The future of warehousing is clear: tech-driven, decentralised, and ultra-responsive to today’s consumer needs.

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Logistics Software Specialist Runs New Warehouse at Full Capacity

 

 

Reusable Pallet Shipper helps Pharma save on Disposal Costs

CSafe, the provider of active and passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has announced the launch of a new reusable pallet shipper – the Silverpod MAX RE – with a host of updated features. The new and improved product will help pharmaceutical customers around the world save on disposal costs, meet their sustainability targets and improve logistical transparency during the shipping journey.

CSafe has taken its globally recognized, single-use Silverpod MAX passive pallet shipper and enhanced it for reuse to create Silverpod MAX RE – a highly durable PCM pallet shipper made entirely of reusable components. This product directly assists the industry in hitting newly-imposed and increasingly stringent sustainability targets, contributing to a more sustainable shipping industry.

New features also include a built-in TracSafe RLT data logger for tracking the location of the shipment, which integrates with CSafe Connect (CSafe’s integrated digital supply chain ecosystem). This enables customers to get real-time visibility of their shipments throughout the entire journey. It also monitors payload temperature, external ambient temperature, shock, tilt and GPS location.

The new shipper, which offers 120+ hours of qualified thermal protection, is made from durable exterior panels with extended edge and corner cap protection that can be used time and time again. It’s supplied via a rental model where CSafe fully manages the life cycle and return of the product, eliminating disposal costs and inconvenience for the customer. The product is supplied flat-packed for the most cost-effective delivery, storage and assembly.

Patrick Schafer, CSafe CEO, said: “Reusability and quality are a major focus for pharmaceutical businesses needing to meet their sustainability targets, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them. With the Silverpod MAX RE, we’ve turned one of our best-loved flagship shippers into a fully sustainable product, while maintaining the high quality and best-in-class technology that CSafe is known for.”

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CSafe Expands European Cold Chain Offering With Kalibox Acquisition

 

Reusable Pallet Shipper helps Pharma save on Disposal Costs

CSafe, the provider of active and passive temperature-controlled shipping solutions for the pharmaceutical industry, has announced the launch of a new reusable pallet shipper – the Silverpod MAX RE – with a host of updated features. The new and improved product will help pharmaceutical customers around the world save on disposal costs, meet their sustainability targets and improve logistical transparency during the shipping journey.

CSafe has taken its globally recognized, single-use Silverpod MAX passive pallet shipper and enhanced it for reuse to create Silverpod MAX RE – a highly durable PCM pallet shipper made entirely of reusable components. This product directly assists the industry in hitting newly-imposed and increasingly stringent sustainability targets, contributing to a more sustainable shipping industry.

New features also include a built-in TracSafe RLT data logger for tracking the location of the shipment, which integrates with CSafe Connect (CSafe’s integrated digital supply chain ecosystem). This enables customers to get real-time visibility of their shipments throughout the entire journey. It also monitors payload temperature, external ambient temperature, shock, tilt and GPS location.

The new shipper, which offers 120+ hours of qualified thermal protection, is made from durable exterior panels with extended edge and corner cap protection that can be used time and time again. It’s supplied via a rental model where CSafe fully manages the life cycle and return of the product, eliminating disposal costs and inconvenience for the customer. The product is supplied flat-packed for the most cost-effective delivery, storage and assembly.

Patrick Schafer, CSafe CEO, said: “Reusability and quality are a major focus for pharmaceutical businesses needing to meet their sustainability targets, and we want to make it as easy as possible for them. With the Silverpod MAX RE, we’ve turned one of our best-loved flagship shippers into a fully sustainable product, while maintaining the high quality and best-in-class technology that CSafe is known for.”

read more

CSafe Expands European Cold Chain Offering With Kalibox Acquisition

 

The Pathway to Success in Logistics Technology

Innovate and thrive to follow the pathway to success in logistics technology, writes Tim Dunn (pictured) of Phoenix Equity Partners.

In the ever-evolving world of logistics, technology is the key to enhancing efficiency and propelling companies towards their strategic goals. The logistics technology sector has undergone significant advancements in recent years, contributing to improved asset utilisation, enhanced driver safety, and better overall planning. Below, we’ll explore the critical components that have moved the sector forwards. We will also address a pressing question: What features are essential for a competitive edge in the logistics tech space?

Recent advancements driving progress

Recent technological advancements have revolutionised logistics technology, significantly boosting efficiency and ESG compliance efforts. Cutting-edge resources like in-cab telematics, Transport Management Systems (TMS), multi-modal software planning solutions, and fleet tracking and monitoring technology have been instrumental in this transformation. In-cab telematics offer real-time data on vehicle performance and driver behaviour, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The adoption of TMS has grown, allowing for improved planning and utilisation of assets, leading to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with fundamental ESG goals.

Multimodal software planning solutions optimise logistics across different transportation systems, improving overall efficiency. Companies are also making greater use of enhanced tracking systems, allowing them to better manage their fleets, leading to cost savings and improved overall service. The integration of these technologies has had a profound impact on the industry. Better planning through TMS has not only optimised asset utilisation but also reduced idle times and unnecessary trips. Furthermore, advanced telematics tools have improved driver health and safety, further advancing ESG goals. While progress is clear, collaboration between different systems and networks remains limited, increasing the importance of platform marketplaces.

The power of platform marketplaces

Platform marketplaces are essential in the logistics tech landscape, offering a range of benefits that foster a more integrated and collaborative environment. As open networks, users can plan across multiple fleets and logistics providers. Unlike traditional TMS, which is generally confined to a single fleet, these marketplaces enable wider collaboration and optimal resource management. Additionally, smaller logistics companies can benefit from the scale and efficiency of larger networks. Palletways, one of Phoenix’s most successful investments, thrived by leveraging this technology. User-friendly and free from the complications of legacy technology, they also offer a variable cost model that makes them accessible to a wide range of users without hefty upfront expenses.

The characteristics of a successful logistics technology business

There are several key features that should define a successful logistics technology business. First, being asset-light is crucial. Businesses that do not own significant physical assets can remain agile and reduce overhead costs, allowing them to scale quickly and adapt to shifting market dynamics. Expertise in a specific market niche or segment is another invaluable trait. Companies that leverage deep industry knowledge can offer tailored solutions that meet unique customer needs. Successful businesses also capitalise on macro trends such as the growth of e-commerce and the digital transformation of manual processes to serve ongoing demand for advanced logistics solutions.

Data is another driver of success. Incorporating compliance data into core logistics solutions ensures that businesses meet regulatory requirements and can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability objectives. Finally, a scalable technology platform is a hallmark of any successful business, enabling it to handle increased demand and expand functionality without extensive need for reengineering.

The successful businesses in the logistics technology sector are those that have harnessed technology advancements, leverage platform marketplaces, and embody core characteristics, such as being asset-light and leveraging specific industry knowledge. By focusing on these elements, logistics technology companies can drive efficiency, enhance the employee experience and achieve sustainable growth. Logistics technology doesn’t stand still and embracing change will be key to a smarter, better-connected industry.

read more

Connectedness and the supply chain at the heart of business success

 

The Pathway to Success in Logistics Technology

Innovate and thrive to follow the pathway to success in logistics technology, writes Tim Dunn (pictured) of Phoenix Equity Partners.

In the ever-evolving world of logistics, technology is the key to enhancing efficiency and propelling companies towards their strategic goals. The logistics technology sector has undergone significant advancements in recent years, contributing to improved asset utilisation, enhanced driver safety, and better overall planning. Below, we’ll explore the critical components that have moved the sector forwards. We will also address a pressing question: What features are essential for a competitive edge in the logistics tech space?

Recent advancements driving progress

Recent technological advancements have revolutionised logistics technology, significantly boosting efficiency and ESG compliance efforts. Cutting-edge resources like in-cab telematics, Transport Management Systems (TMS), multi-modal software planning solutions, and fleet tracking and monitoring technology have been instrumental in this transformation. In-cab telematics offer real-time data on vehicle performance and driver behaviour, enhancing safety and operational efficiency. The adoption of TMS has grown, allowing for improved planning and utilisation of assets, leading to reduced fuel consumption and emissions, aligning with fundamental ESG goals.

Multimodal software planning solutions optimise logistics across different transportation systems, improving overall efficiency. Companies are also making greater use of enhanced tracking systems, allowing them to better manage their fleets, leading to cost savings and improved overall service. The integration of these technologies has had a profound impact on the industry. Better planning through TMS has not only optimised asset utilisation but also reduced idle times and unnecessary trips. Furthermore, advanced telematics tools have improved driver health and safety, further advancing ESG goals. While progress is clear, collaboration between different systems and networks remains limited, increasing the importance of platform marketplaces.

The power of platform marketplaces

Platform marketplaces are essential in the logistics tech landscape, offering a range of benefits that foster a more integrated and collaborative environment. As open networks, users can plan across multiple fleets and logistics providers. Unlike traditional TMS, which is generally confined to a single fleet, these marketplaces enable wider collaboration and optimal resource management. Additionally, smaller logistics companies can benefit from the scale and efficiency of larger networks. Palletways, one of Phoenix’s most successful investments, thrived by leveraging this technology. User-friendly and free from the complications of legacy technology, they also offer a variable cost model that makes them accessible to a wide range of users without hefty upfront expenses.

The characteristics of a successful logistics technology business

There are several key features that should define a successful logistics technology business. First, being asset-light is crucial. Businesses that do not own significant physical assets can remain agile and reduce overhead costs, allowing them to scale quickly and adapt to shifting market dynamics. Expertise in a specific market niche or segment is another invaluable trait. Companies that leverage deep industry knowledge can offer tailored solutions that meet unique customer needs. Successful businesses also capitalise on macro trends such as the growth of e-commerce and the digital transformation of manual processes to serve ongoing demand for advanced logistics solutions.

Data is another driver of success. Incorporating compliance data into core logistics solutions ensures that businesses meet regulatory requirements and can demonstrate their commitment to sustainability objectives. Finally, a scalable technology platform is a hallmark of any successful business, enabling it to handle increased demand and expand functionality without extensive need for reengineering.

The successful businesses in the logistics technology sector are those that have harnessed technology advancements, leverage platform marketplaces, and embody core characteristics, such as being asset-light and leveraging specific industry knowledge. By focusing on these elements, logistics technology companies can drive efficiency, enhance the employee experience and achieve sustainable growth. Logistics technology doesn’t stand still and embracing change will be key to a smarter, better-connected industry.

read more

Connectedness and the supply chain at the heart of business success

 

Testing a Fully Electric Truck and Trailer

In the rapidly evolving world of logistics, the shift towards sustainable transport solutions is more crucial than ever. As companies lad the charge with the implementation of battery electric vehicles (BEVs), understanding the real-world impact of these innovations is essential. Who better to provide this insight than the drivers themselves, who are at the forefront of this transformation?

In this interview, we hear directly from Arvydas, an experienced Girteka driver, who has been working for the company for over 12 years. He shares his firsthand experiences on driving a fully electric truck and trailer. His insights shed light on the practicalities, challenges, and immense potential of BEVs in modern logistics.

How much experience do you have with driving an electric truck? What was your overall impression of BEV trucks from that experience?

“I have driven two electric trucks and one electric trailer in a variety of conditions, including normal and city traffic, as well as in winter. We covered significant mileage testing these new trucks. They surprised me and everyone around. People often took pictures, asked about the experience, and uploaded videos of our Girteka electric trucks on Facebook. The trucks are incredibly quiet, with no engine noise. People just could not believe that the truck was so quiet, with no engine sound – you could barely hear it when it pulled up. Everybody is used to trucks being loud. The driving experience is quieter, smoother, and more comfortable, allowing for better concentration. It is much more enjoyable to drive these modern, improved vehicles, and leave a lasting impression for everyone.”

Was it hard to get used to driving such a truck? Is there any special training needed?

“I have been driving Volvo and other manufacturers’ trucks that Girteka provides for many years, so there was not much difference. The interior and controls are identical to conventional trucks. The main difference is in starting the machine and managing the lack of engine noise and vibration. I also had to learn some new symbols specific to electric trucks.”

How about charging? Is the whole charging process a smooth procedure?

“Charging comes with some challenges, primarily due to the lack of suitable charging stations for trucks. We need more powerful stations than those available for cars, ideally 300 kW. Unfortunately, the actual power of the station often falls short, and issues like non-functional stations or stolen wires add to the difficulty. The infrastructure needs improvement, but it is progressing. Currently, our routes are planned around charging stations, which is easily manageable with experience.”

The idea is to have the charging done during the mandatory rest breaks. Do you find that convenient?

“Yes, it is very convenient. During the charging time, we can complete paperwork, eat, walk, exercise, or simply rest. That adds a lot of comfort and flexibility for drivers. Planning rest breaks and charging based on station availability is crucial. Especially since charging times vary depending on the station’s capacity. I expect future improvements in station capacity and charging times.”

Overall, how does driving a BEV truck compare to driving a conventional diesel truck? What are the benefits and disadvantages?

“Electric trucks offer several advantages over diesel trucks. Apart from the mentioned ones, they have fewer technical issues since they lack many components prone to failure in diesel engines. There is also no risk of fuel theft, a common problem with diesel trucks. The main drawback is the current infrastructure’s inadequacy and occasional charging station malfunctions. Additionally, extreme temperatures in winter or summer can affect battery performance, requiring careful energy management.”

Are there any particular features of the truck that you found interesting?

“One surprising aspect is the reduced need for technical interventions. Issues are typically resolved by specialized workshops, sometimes even remotely, making maintenance more comfortable and quicker for the driver.”

I imagine there is chit chat among the drivers’ community regarding electric trucks. What have you heard? Are they excited about the possibility of driving these trucks? What are their concerns?

“Drivers are extremely excited about the innovation and improvements in electric trucks, just like me. The increased comfort and convenience are widely appreciated by all of us. When it comes to concerns – there are a few about emergencies and natural disasters, such as floods, and the potential dangers associated with electric batteries in accidents. Despite these worries, drivers are extremely optimistic and eager to learn and adapt to these new technologies. The overall excitement outweighs the worries, as we understand that most challenges will be resolved over time.”

We know electric trucks are less noisy, have less vibration, and zero tailpipe emissions. Also, these trucks are new – they have the latest safety features installed, including improved cabin comfort. Do you think these trucks will improve drivers’ working conditions?

“Yes, definitely. Electric trucks allow drivers to concentrate better due to the quieter operation and reduced vibration. The lack of engine noise means drivers can focus more on the road and less on the constant drone and vibrations of a traditional diesel engine, which can be both physically and mentally exhausting over long periods. The advanced safety features also provide peace of mind, allowing me to feel more secure and confident on the road. These features significantly improve working conditions for me and other drivers covering many kilometres every day.”

Could electric trucks impact driving habits? If yes, in what way?

“Electric trucks enable drivers to focus more on driving without the noise and worries about mechanical breakdowns. This reduces stress and allows us to concentrate on our job, improving overall driving habits.”

From a driver’s perspective, do you believe Europe and the road freight sector is ready to adopt electric trucks on a large scale?

“While Girteka has the financial capacity to invest in electric trucks, many logistics companies find them too expensive. The high cost is a barrier to widespread adoption, but prices are expected to decrease over time. As infrastructure improves and more advanced electric trucks become available, I believe they will become a viable option for more companies. I am proud to see that Girteka is now leading the way for other companies and making significant strides towards sustainability.”

Which sustainable trucking solution – alternative fuel, conventional diesel, electricity-powered trucks – do you think is the most suitable for medium to long-haul transportation, from your, as a driver’s, perspective?

“I believe electric trucks are the ideal solution if the charging station infrastructure is improved and new, enhanced versions of electric trucks are released, which is already happening rapidly. The first and second versions of electric trucks are available, and the third and fourth versions will soon be released, likely covering even longer distances. As the infrastructure improves and these new versions are released, electric trucks will become the most suitable option for medium to long-haul transportation, in my opinion. Various industries are moving towards sustainability and cooperating to make this transition smoother. This collective effort across industries is crucial for creating a sustainable future, and it is exciting to see how quickly progress is being made.”

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Electric Heavy Goods Vehicles in Action

 

HelloFresh Distribution Centre in Prime Location

Global meal kit company HelloFresh is on a mission to change how people eat. Driven by the rising appeal of meal kits, the company needed a new production facility to support its rapid UK growth.

HelloFresh helps consumers to cook home-made, healthy meals with no preparation, shopping or hassle, using fresh, sustainably-sourced ingredients, produced, packed and delivered directly to their doorsteps. Driven by its rapid growth, the meal kit company needed a new production facility to meet the needs of its expanding customer base.

The business needed a facility in a prime location, able to provide fast, efficient access to consumers. In line with HelloFresh’s commitment to the highest quality fresh produce, the facility needed to provide frozen, chilled and ambient storage capacity and highly flexible warehouse space to suit its production and packing methods. HelloFresh is passionate about sustainability – the new facility had to align with business aims to mitigate the environmental impact of its growth.

The Beehive

Goodman worked closely with HelloFresh to deliver its newest production and distribution centre in Nuneaton, named the ‘Beehive’ by the employees. The second of HelloFresh’s UK facilities, The Beehive covers 230,384 sq ft of prime distribution and logistics space – roughly the size of three football pitches.

Strategic location

The Beehive’s excellent connectivity, which places 58.5 million consumers within a four-hour drivetime, means it is ideally suited to national fulfilment and fresh food delivery. Nuneaton’s strategic Midlands location, situated two miles from J3 of the M6 and close to Bermuda Park railway station, is also surrounded by ample local talent – 880 jobs were created at there.

“For us, it was how to scale operationally to feed the nation and support our customers, that was our biggest challenge,” said Laurent Guillemain, UK CEO, HelloFresh.

Focus on sustainability

The Beehive is a highly sustainable facility, boasting a five-star sustainability rating. The warehouse uses 100 per cent green energy, alongside a rainwater harvesting system, solar panels for heating water and infrastructure for electric vehicle charging. Goodman recently installed a 606kWp solar system to provide additional clean energy. Not only is the facility sustainable, but its location has enabled HelloFresh to reduce the distance travelled to deliver goods and reduce carbon emissions in line with its sustainability goals.

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Olympic Fencing Supplier Transforms Warehousing

Leon Paul, one of the world’s premier fencing equipment manufacturers, has transformed its warehousing and logistic operations and driven significant growth following its adoption of Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

The 100-year-old family-run business produces and distributes 90% of its products from its London manufacturing and warehousing facility and had previously relied on a paper-based system. This was highly inefficient and resulted in a warehouse environment best described as ‘chaos’ and an estimated £150,000 wastage every year in lost time and products, according to James Fay, Commercial Director, Leon Paul:

“We had no control of ordering from stock to delivery, no barcoding technology in the warehouse, no form of KPIs to manage our performance. We couldn’t vet orders properly and weren’t even sure if products were being sent to the right places,” he said. “Morale was low amongst staff because they felt they couldn’t do their jobs to the best of their ability, and we were wasting money, time and products hand over fist. We were known for the quality of our fencing equipment, but our warehousing was far from Olympic standard. Orderwise was cost-effective and scalable, and it was actually recommended to me by a competitor, so it felt like the best fit for us right from the off.”

Since implementing Orderwise, Leon Paul has been able to automate many processes and see vast efficiency improvements. It has eased pressure on employees, improved order management and customer service, and delivered a ten-fold increase in order processing. Order shipping time went from an average of nine days to less than one day.

In a complex manufacturing environment — Leon Paul makes more than 3,000 SKUs, which can then become any one of 98,000 SKUs — Orderwise has become integral. It allows the business to make quick and informed decisions, and it has meant that when the company turned over £3.5m, there were seven people in the warehouse, whereas in 2024 (turnover of £10m), there are five.

Leon Paul has more than 75% of the UK market — including supplying the entire Team GB Olympic fencing team — and recently won the 2024 Kings Award for Enterprise in Innovation and Export, strengthening its recent strategy of focusing mostly on exports.

“To further our global growth plans, we needed a modern warehouse and an ERP system to support our e-commerce engine, ensuring our customers all over the world get the right product in good time,” continued James Fay. “Orderwise has done exactly that and more. Our global agents are also connected to it, and we now all have the information to make smarter, data-based decisions about the business.”

Orderwise is an ERP solution that provides wholesalers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers with a platform for growth. It was initially deployed by Leon Paul in operational logistics, sales, and customer service, followed by accounts, and is currently being implemented in the manufacturing plant.

“Leon Paul is an iconic UK manufacturer, rightly celebrated for its quality, longevity and commitment to fencing,” said Jon Roberts, Director, Forterro. “Our ERP solutions are all designed with specific industries in mind, and we are very proud that Orderwise has played a role in Leon Paul’s success.”

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Forterro Expands with Acquisition of Wise Software

 

Olympic Fencing Supplier Transforms Warehousing

Leon Paul, one of the world’s premier fencing equipment manufacturers, has transformed its warehousing and logistic operations and driven significant growth following its adoption of Forterro’s ERP and Warehouse Management Solution, Orderwise.

The 100-year-old family-run business produces and distributes 90% of its products from its London manufacturing and warehousing facility and had previously relied on a paper-based system. This was highly inefficient and resulted in a warehouse environment best described as ‘chaos’ and an estimated £150,000 wastage every year in lost time and products, according to James Fay, Commercial Director, Leon Paul:

“We had no control of ordering from stock to delivery, no barcoding technology in the warehouse, no form of KPIs to manage our performance. We couldn’t vet orders properly and weren’t even sure if products were being sent to the right places,” he said. “Morale was low amongst staff because they felt they couldn’t do their jobs to the best of their ability, and we were wasting money, time and products hand over fist. We were known for the quality of our fencing equipment, but our warehousing was far from Olympic standard. Orderwise was cost-effective and scalable, and it was actually recommended to me by a competitor, so it felt like the best fit for us right from the off.”

Since implementing Orderwise, Leon Paul has been able to automate many processes and see vast efficiency improvements. It has eased pressure on employees, improved order management and customer service, and delivered a ten-fold increase in order processing. Order shipping time went from an average of nine days to less than one day.

In a complex manufacturing environment — Leon Paul makes more than 3,000 SKUs, which can then become any one of 98,000 SKUs — Orderwise has become integral. It allows the business to make quick and informed decisions, and it has meant that when the company turned over £3.5m, there were seven people in the warehouse, whereas in 2024 (turnover of £10m), there are five.

Leon Paul has more than 75% of the UK market — including supplying the entire Team GB Olympic fencing team — and recently won the 2024 Kings Award for Enterprise in Innovation and Export, strengthening its recent strategy of focusing mostly on exports.

“To further our global growth plans, we needed a modern warehouse and an ERP system to support our e-commerce engine, ensuring our customers all over the world get the right product in good time,” continued James Fay. “Orderwise has done exactly that and more. Our global agents are also connected to it, and we now all have the information to make smarter, data-based decisions about the business.”

Orderwise is an ERP solution that provides wholesalers, distributors, retailers and manufacturers with a platform for growth. It was initially deployed by Leon Paul in operational logistics, sales, and customer service, followed by accounts, and is currently being implemented in the manufacturing plant.

“Leon Paul is an iconic UK manufacturer, rightly celebrated for its quality, longevity and commitment to fencing,” said Jon Roberts, Director, Forterro. “Our ERP solutions are all designed with specific industries in mind, and we are very proud that Orderwise has played a role in Leon Paul’s success.”

read more

Forterro Expands with Acquisition of Wise Software

 

Will the Olympic Games Disrupt Transport Operations in France?

From today France enters the spotlight with the Olympic Games. The preparations leading up to the games, as well as the event itself, are expected to significantly impact transport operations. Factors such as road closures, overall traffic, and increased security levels, all against the backdrop of rising transport demand associated with the event, will likely not just affect the Paris region but the entire country. Christian Dolderer, Lead Research Analyst at Transporeon, says now it’s a good time to assess what data and the derived KPIs show. Is there already an effect visible due to the event?

Spot prices are heavily influenced by the market forces of demand and capacity. While demand is expected to slightly increase, the market will likely face reduced capacity and increased inefficiencies due to the Olympic Games. This is expected to result in a continued increase in contracted load rejections (transports that are either timed out or rejected by carriers on the Transporeon platform) and a decrease in the number of offers per load on the spot market. The first metric indicates that more loads will be moved to the spot market, not only for the impacted weeks, but also for the preceding and following weeks. The second metric provides insight into market competition, reinforcing the basic theory that more offers lead to lower prices, and fewer offers lead to higher prices.

France domestic road transportation

In May 2024, during the public holiday season, France showed a strong market reaction with significant spot price increases. Offers and rejections followed the expected behaviour. This assessment is crucial to understand how the market is likely to react and to which level it will likely return to after these sportive weeks. Weeks 28 and 29 showed increasing prices while rejections and offers started to fall short.

Are we already seeing a clear and direct impact of the Olympic Games in these movements? I must answer with no.

Although initial signs, such as the described price increases and decreases of influencing factors, are visible and could be caused by the event, these changes could still be seen as usual spot market behaviour and fluctuations. What we can confirm is that, seven days before the Olympic Games, none of the prior described potential effects significantly affected the French domestic market. However, this does not necessarily mean that there will be no effect at all; it could still be too early to see a direct impact.

The expectation trend shows my expectation of price increases, including a high variance. So far, it’s hard to assess as spot rates could also easily take off in this tense market situation (Olympic Games and vacation season). Also at the borders to France, all is quiet so far. During the last hours and days, no unusual situation was monitored. Fears that the transport sector will face significant efficiency problems ahead of the event have not materialized yet.

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Container Ship in Marseille Welcomes Olympic Flame

 

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