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Day: 31 October 2025

Managing Seasonal Pressures in Warehousing

Posted on by David Priestman

Scott Saunders, technical service manager at Watco, shares practical advice to help facility managers keep warehouses safe and efficient during the peak season.

The run-up to Christmas and the New Year sales period is one of the busiest periods for logistics and warehousing. From November to January, the season brings higher order volumes, shorter turnaround times, and pressure on the supply chain. With Black Friday and Cyber Monday now well established too, the challenge grows each year, and with it the need for greater control over safety and efficiency.

By preparing early, reviewing layouts, and strengthening maintenance routines, warehouse facilities management (FM) teams can not only get through the busy period smoothly but also set themselves up for the months ahead.

Optimising warehouse layout

As seasonal stock arrives, warehouse space becomes more valuable. Cluttered aisles and congested loading bays slow operations and increase the risk of accidents. Before the busiest period begins, reviewing the layout and applying durable floor paints to define areas can make a big difference.

Line marking, completed using coloured paints or durable tapes, creates a visual map on the floor of the facility. Illustrating defined zones, walkways, and storage areas by painting the floor in specific colours helps to coordinate where vehicles and team members will be in the facility, reducing confusion. It also highlights routes for deliveries and collections, improving flow through loading docks and dispatch areas.

Colour-coded pathways and painted sections of the floor guide team members to emergency exits and fire extinguishers, making them easy to locate in an emergency too. Line marking can help to reduce accidents. Paints or safety tapes with anti slip properties can be used, increasing grip underfoot to prevent falls in areas that get wet during winter months e.g. pathways near entrances and loading bays.

Supporting temporary staff

During peak season, many facilities rely on temporary or seasonal staff to meet demand. With higher footfall across the warehouse floor, ensuring these team members can work safely is essential.

Structured inductions are key to help new team members understand how the warehouse operates: where things are located, how to move around safely, and how to report issues. Clearly defined floor areas and walkways are also particularly useful because by following them and learning the colour scheme, team members can stay out of the path of hazards and vehicles.

However, the third point requires the FM team to agree a system. The increase in traffic during the busy period puts more strain on surfaces, so cracks and holes appear. To ensure that repairs can be completed before it is left to worsen over time, the FM team needs to know about it. A central reporting system, e.g. a physical notebook to write in, or an allocated team leader to tell, or even a number to call will mean that FMs are aware of damaged surfaces sooner and can schedule fast, cost-effective repairs. Regular reminders on the importance of reporting hazards, such as wet floors or damaged surfaces, also foster a culture of shared responsibility.

Staying proactive with maintenance

When surface damage such as cracks and holes are left to worsen over time, they can escalate into a time-consuming, costly repair that requires operations to be adjusted away from the area. During peak season, damaged surfaces impact safety and productivity, creating trip hazards for busy team members or risking damage to vehicles and equipment if wheels get stuck in the uneven floor.

Completing a full site inspection now will help to get on top of existing damage and hazards prior to the peak busy period, however, during the period FM teams should be regularly inspecting key areas of the facility and logging damage ready for action. To ensure that all FM team members can confidently complete repairs, managers should signpost resources such as checklists, eBooks and how to videos which support varied learning styles.

Keeping fast-curing repair products on hand will also help to manage the downtime and disruption required during peak season, while ensuring that required repairs take place. These products often cure within hours, helping facilities stay operational even when damage is spotted.

Taking this proactive approach not only improves safety and reliability but also ensures that repairs are easier and less disruptive.

Stronger foundations

The end of the year will always bring extra pressure for the warehousing and logistics sector. Yet facilities that invest time in preparation, from clear line marking and organised layouts to staff training and proactive maintenance, are the ones most likely to benefit from smooth operations. The same systems that keep things running smoothly during the peak season will continue to deliver benefits long after the season has ended.

France Ends VAT Regime 42 from 2026

Posted on by Will Priestman

From 1 January 2026, France will abolish the long-standing VAT simplification known as Customs Procedure 42 (commonly “Regime 42”) for non-EU importers. According to customs specialists, Gaston Schul, this change represents a significant shift for those using France as an EU import gateway, particularly for businesses based outside the EU (such as the UK, Norway or Switzerland). Although EU-established businesses are not directly impacted by the end of the simplified regime, all importers should review their French entry-point strategies now.

What is Regime 42 and how has it operated?

Regime 42 allowed importers to bring goods into one EU Member State and immediately dispatch them on to another without paying upfront import VAT. The VAT liability was instead accounted for in the destination country.
For example: a UK company selling goods to a German customer could import into France, clear under CP 42, transport directly to Germany, and pay import VAT in Germany rather than in France.

What changes from 1 January 2026?

  • The simplified version of Regime 42 available to non-EU importers will be abolished.
  • For non-EU businesses (e.g. UK, Norway, Switzerland) importing via France:
    • French VAT registration will be required.
    • They must appoint a fiscal representative.
    • They must submit periodic French VAT returns for import VAT and intra-EU supplies.
  • For EU-established businesses, Regime 42 remains under “normal” intra-EU VAT rules — the change primarily removes the benefit that non-EU importers previously enjoyed.

Who will need French VAT registration?

From 1 January 2026:

  • Non-EU businesses importing goods into France will need a French VAT number.
  • EU-based businesses may need French VAT registration if they store goods in France, make domestic supplies in France, or are involved in a chain transaction with France as part of the supply route.
  • French customs may demand a VAT number in specific circumstances, to ensure proper VAT control and compliance.

Business impact & alternatives

  • Global exporters currently using France as their EU import gateway (especially outside the EU) will face additional administrative and financial burdens. They will need to review cash-flow implications, as upfront import VAT may apply unless deferred accounting via a fiscal representative is arranged.
  • France may lose some of its competitive edge as an entry-point for non-EU imports.
  • Alternative EU entry routes for non-EU importers remain available that still allow VAT deferral/postponement:
    • The Netherlands: via Article 23 licence plus fiscal representation.
    • Belgium: via the ET 14000 authorisation and fiscal representation.

Five practical steps to prepare

  1. Review current import routes – identify where Regime 42 is used and assess the cash-flow impact of the elimination of the simplified route.
  2. Compare alternative EU ports – evaluate options like Netherlands or Belgium for efficiency and VAT deferral advantages.
  3. Register for French VAT early – if you plan to continue using France, begin now to avoid compliance delays.
  4. Reassess Incoterms – consider shifting from DDP (Delivered Duty Paid) to DAP or EXW to reduce exposure to French VAT obligations.
  5. Work with a trusted fiscal representative – select a partner experienced in VAT compliance and representation in France to manage the upcoming changes.

Why proactive action is essential

The end of the simplified regime signals a structural shift in how goods enter the EU via France. Those businesses that act early can preserve cash-flow efficiency, maintain compliance, and avoid operational disruption. Delayed action risks import delays, higher costs and weakened competitiveness.

If you are a non-EU business using France as your EU import gateway, the clock is ticking. From 2026 the simplified route under Regime 42 disappears. You will need French VAT registration, fiscal representation and new logistics options. Even EU-based businesses should review their strategy. Now is the time to act, to ensure your EU trade continues smoothly and cost-effectively.

Digital Supply Chain Connection

Posted on by David Priestman

Whether it’s car care, automotive accessories, electrical installation materials, or e-bikes MarkenTechnikService (MTS) ensures that products reliably reach customers. The company is bringing visibility to its supply chain with the help of OSCA SCM software.


Whether on vacation or in everyday life, millions of consumers rely on products from the MTS Group. With its strong brands NIGRIN, FISCHER, UNITEC, and cartrend, the group covers nearly every aspect of mobility and technology.


With such a diverse portfolio, MTS is represented across nearly all sales channels: in hardware stores, specialty and wholesale stores, hypermarkets, and major discount retailers – as well as on all leading online platforms. “Three-quarters of our sales come from brick-and-mortar retail, while one-quarter is generated through e-commerce – both via our own web shop and major online retailers,” explains Helge Jager, Head of Supply Chain at MTS.


Today, the total portfolio includes more than 20,000 items distributed across Europe. Procurement takes place primarily within the EU, while private-label products are largely sourced from Asia. To ensure reliable and fast product availability, the Group operates logistics networks with more than 80,000 pallet spaces across four logistics sites. The largest facilities are located in Radevormwald, in the Bergisches Land region, and in Malsch near Karlsruhe. Bicycles and e-bikes are stored in a dedicated distribution centre to maintain efficient processes and the highest delivery quality.


For many years, the MTS Group relied on its merchandise management system to manage the inbound supply chain. “However, this approach had a major drawback – we couldn’t track the shipping process within the system. That meant we could only react after deviations from the plan had already occurred,” explains Jager. This sometimes led to delays of up to two weeks. That has now changed. At the end of 2021, the supply chain manager and the CIO began searching for SCM software to better manage the supply chain and increase transparency in the inbound process.

The team evaluated a total of ten solutions. “We chose OSCA because it’s a fully integrated, well-established solution that connects all partners across the supply chain, with every process step documented in the system. For instance, when someone fills in during vacation, they can easily see how the order history developed without having to dig through old emails,” says Jager. “Complexity can only be managed through standardized solutions – OSCA is a prime example of that,” adds CIO Moritz Gütermann.


The CIO and his team followed a strategic, phased approach to implementing the SCM software. First, all suppliers in Asia were onboarded, followed by the freight forwarder. Around 220 suppliers from Germany and the EU deliver directly to the logistics facilities free of charge and are not connected to OSCA. Today, about a dozen MTS Group employees use OSCA – not only dispatchers, but also warehouse and accounting personnel.


Always in stock


According to Jager, the implementation phase went very smoothly, even with the large number of suppliers that had to be onboarded quickly. One challenge was that some partners handle only a small portion of the roughly 1,500 annual shipments and required extra training. “For those cases, Setlog’s dozen or so short tutorial videos were an ideal solution,” says Jager.


For Setlog Managing Director Guido Brackelsberg, the MTS Group stands as a prime example of how modern trading companies with global sourcing have positioned themselves for the era of high-performance logistics. “In this highly competitive industry, a digitized supply chain is what separates the leaders from the laggards,” he emphasizes.


Jager can no longer imagine working without OSCA: “The system brings clarity to highly complex processes, fosters greater trust among all partners, and enables real-time, data-driven decision-making.” Even with many other IT projects still on his agenda, he’s already considering adding another OSCA module – quality management.


The average driver rarely realizes what goes on behind the scenes at the MTS Group. Yet they benefit directly from the company’s increased focus on digitizing its supply chain -the product they’re looking for is always in stock and ready for purchase.

AI-Driven Warehouse Innovation

Posted on by David Priestman

Artificial intelligence is no longer a futuristic concept — it’s a driving force transforming how goods are stored, moved and managed. From predictive analytics to self-learning systems, AI is enabling a new era of intelligent logistics. Mecalux, a provider of intralogistics solutions, is at the forefront of this transformation, embedding AI across its warehouse management software and robotics systems to deliver smarter, more adaptive supply chains.

Turning data into decisions


Mecalux Software Solutions has taken a bold step forward by integrating generative AI into its flagship warehouse management system, Easy WMS. Deployed in over 1,100 facilities worldwide, the software now enables users to interact with the system naturally, in seven languages, through an intuitive chat interface. Managers can ask, “Which products are nearing stockout?” or “Show me today’s picking efficiency,” and receive real-time, data-rich answers.


This conversational capability goes far beyond convenience. Easy WMS’s AI assistant can generate KPI dashboards, reports, custom views and even execute specific actions such as releasing orders or unlocking aisles — all within seconds. By learning from every interaction, the system continuously refines its responses, helping teams make faster, more accurate decisions.

Mecalux is also applying this technology internally. Its Easy Builder development platform and AI web portal for programmers empower engineers to code, debug and document software more efficiently. These innovations improve software quality, accelerate development and strengthen Mecalux’s ability to deliver ever more sophisticated logistics solutions.

AMRs with collective intelligence


Automation is evolving rapidly from static systems to autonomous intelligence. Mecalux’s research into automated mobile robots (AMRs) is pioneering this shift. Traditional AMRs rely on predefined routes, which can cause bottlenecks and limit flexibility. Mecalux is developing AI-driven free navigation, where robots learn to adapt dynamically, avoiding obstacles, optimising paths and coordinating seamlessly with humans and other machines.


Through simulation and digital twins, engineers test these algorithms in virtual environments before deploying them in real facilities. The goal: to build swarm intelligence — a network of self-learning robots capable of acting as a collective, predicting demand changes and optimising resources in real time. This next generation of autonomous robots will dramatically enhance warehouse resilience and performance.

Innovating with MIT

To accelerate innovation, Mecalux has joined forces with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) to establish the Intelligent Logistics Systems Lab at the MIT Center for Transportation & Logistics. This collaboration explores the use of machine learning and reinforcement learning to revolutionise distributed order management (DOM) systems.


Led by Matthias Winkenbach, the initiative focuses on developing orchestration models that replace static rules with self-learning AI capable of adapting to shifting demand, capacity and delivery constraints. By leveraging simulations, these models can test thousands of scenarios safely and efficiently.

Towards a new era of intelligent logistics


Across its software, automation and research initiatives, Mecalux is redefining how intelligence operates in the warehouse. Its approach combines cutting-edge AI, robust engineering and academic collaboration to design systems that think, learn and evolve.


From predictive order management to autonomous robotics, Mecalux’s innovations represent a clear vision of the warehouse of the future — one where humans and machines collaborate seamlessly to achieve unprecedented efficiency, accuracy and sustainability.

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