The post How logistics is going green appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>Customers now also demand that companies find more sustainable methods of operation, selecting who they do businesses with based on their green initiatives.
So what are some of the major shifts and developments in logistics today in regards to sustainability? And how will they affect the future of your business?
Hydrogen and electric
The conversion to hydrogen and electric vehicles holds great potential to transform the industry.
In a statement made in 2021, the UK government explained that hydrogen would play a major role in the coming years. Logistics businesses eagerly anticipate further updates on specific roll-out strategies.
Meanwhile, the first hydrogen-powered vans are now rolling off the assembly line, offering a hopeful alternative to petrol- and diesel-based fleets in the future.
The spread of electric vehicle usage in larger transport vehicles is another promising way toward sustainable logistics. In March 2022, marking an important milestone, Amazon debuted five electric heavy goods vehicles (HGVs) in its UK delivery fleet.
The 37-tonne electricity-powered vehicles operate from Amazon’s Tilbury and Milton Keynes fulfilment centres, transporting consumer packages with zero emissions.
HGV levy
Another factor that could have a big impact on how quickly UK logistics businesses implement greener fleets is the HGV levy.
In August 2020, the UK government suspended the levy in order to provide relief to logistics businesses during the pandemic’s challenges.
In June 2022, the government issued a welcome statement on the levy’s possible reformation, so that when the suspension ends in July 2023, it will take into account a vehicle’s environmental performance.
The outcome is yet to be seen, but the new policy would incentivise logistics companies to improve the sustainability of their fleets.
Carbon neutral warehousing
In a great step forward for green strategies, Airbox, a carbon neutral fulfilment and warehouse provider that specialises in supporting e-commerce businesses, recently secured a £3m investment to grow its operations and expand its customer base.
The money will be used to construct a huge new warehouse in Leighton Buzzard, UK, which will achieve carbon neutrality through rooftop solar panels, saving 93 tons of carbon each year.
The announcement is good news for the industry, proving that banks are willing to invest in a greener fulfilment and warehousing sector.
Working sustainably with Sprint Logistics
With over twenty years of experience, Sprint Logistics, a global logistics expert, is committed to environmentally-friendly logistics solutions. We’re always looking for new ways in which to lead the industry in its movement toward carbon neutrality.
Get in touch with us to find out more about our environmental initiatives and how we can support your business’ sustainability goals.
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]]>The post How Packaging Affects Your Logistics Costs appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>Analysing and optimising how your business uses packaging is an example of how small changes can have a big impact on your bottom line.
The actual costs of packaging
We’ve all experienced the displeasure of receiving a package swallowed by excessive packaging: a small product sent in a huge box or wrapped in endless paper or bubble wrap.
The one-size-fits all policy is behind this excess, and the belief that it’s cost-effective. Buying materials in bulk may work for logistics companies with limitless space and resources. For smaller companies, however, these things eat up valuable warehouse storage space and affect the bottom line.
Not only do you have the additional outlay for extra packing materials, it also affects the total volume of goods that can be transported in a single shipment; when a product is fitted in a suitable box and the wrapping materials are kept to a minimum, it lightens the transport load.
Utilising flexible protective packages like bags and pouches cuts expenses and saves crucial warehouse and transport space. Instead of using bulky bubble wrap, consider switching to a bubble-on-demand option, which inflates the material as required, and also dramatically reduces your storage footprint. There are also similar paper-based options that work in the same way.
Environmental and customer implications
The environmental ramifications will of course be reduced if you optimise your packaging, as will the customer frustration at receiving a package drowning in materials.
As more and more customers are making their e-commerce choices based on the ethical and sustainable working methods of the companies from which they purchase their products, efficient packaging can enhance the perception your customers have of your business.
They’ll take note of how you limit waste and strive to minimise your climatic footprint.
The benefits of packaging audits
Keeping a proactive mindset, continually analysing your packaging processes ensures that you’re working as efficiently as possible. One idea is to complete a packaging audit every 6 months to take stock of your supplies and methodologies.
It can identify improvements you can make, and lead to a reduction in the amount of materials you use and store onsite, releasing valuable warehouse space.
With the uncertainty of the current economy drastically affecting operational costs, these small packaging and warehouse adjustments could be just what you need to protect your revenue flow.
Partnering with Sprint Logistics
Sprint Logistics, a global expert in end-to-end supply chain processes, provides cost-effective logistics solutions to businesses of all sizes, in any industry. We can help you navigate today’s economic challenges, keeping your operations running smoothly and cost-effectively.
Sprint offers a range of services such as warehousing and our pick and pack service, where we automatically retrieve orders from your choice of location, pick and pack them with an accuracy of 99.9%, and keep you and your customers updated in real-time.
Contact us today and learn how we can support your business.
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]]>The post How Warehouse Management Software is at the Heart of Logistics appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>What is warehouse management software (WMS)?
A WMS captures, processes, organises and distributes your data to the correct places to ensure that your systems can work effectively and your supply chain can run smoothly. Although cinema has engrained the belief that robots and machines have a life of their own, ultimately they require instruction and maintenance so it’s important to opt for a WMS that suits your business.
On-premises
Although considered a more traditional approach to warehouse management, opting for on-premises software carries certain advantages that modern solutions don’t, including offering users direct control of their operations. This level of control allows for greater customisation of your software, meaning you can tailor it to the exact needs of your organisation. However, this comes with a higher level of responsibility including managing upgrades and integrations in-house, as well as overcoming associated challenges as and when they arise. You might require a dedicated team of IT specialists to do this, leading to additional costs and delays in fixing problems in the event of sickness, holidays or other more pressing internal issues.
Cloud-based
A cloud-based WMS is a good alternative to more traditional methods of warehouse management, with your cloud provider or “host” taking on most of the responsibility of upkeep and problem solving. You are still in charge, but this option means that the machine is doing most of the work for you. A Service License Agreement (SLA) means that you’ll be covered in the event of a malfunction, and if something does go wrong then the cloud will quickly resolve the problem, saving you time and money. This approach to warehouse management still requires IT staff but is easy to up and downscale because it relies on servers, not people, to run.
Software as a Service (SaaS)
By far the easiest option for warehouse management, software as a service, or “SaaS”, does everything for you. From hardware to maintenance to resolving any issues should they arise, your provider will take on all of the responsibilities of managing your systems. This takes the pressure off your IT department and allows you more time to focus on other issues like customer service. With this option, you can scale on demand and be safe in the knowledge that your software is up-to-date and running as efficiently as possible.
What role does automation play in a WMS?
Automation is useful in situations where there is room for human error, for example repetitive tasks, where safety is concerned, or where fast calculations are needed. Automation works best alongside an effective WMS which is why it’s so important to select the right option for your business.
Although it can be tempting to rush in and automate everything, all at once, introducing it slowly will give you time to monitor and measure its impact to ensure it complements your WMS.
Automation and SaaS go hand-in-hand with each other because they’re both standardised – in other words, they are both designed to make operations more efficient, faster and smooth-running.
How can Sprint Logistics help with warehouse management?
As an experienced and trusted logistics provider, Sprint Logistics can help you to optimise your supply chain with well-functioning and effective warehouse management software. If you’re not sure where to start, or which option is best suited to your business then we can support you in making the most of technology available.
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]]>The post Start Tracking Logistics KPIs and Achieve Your Business Goals appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>This knowledge allows you to build on what you’re doing right and work on what you could improve.
But as each logistics company has its own unique goals, a one-size-fits-all approach to tracking KPIs doesn’t work. Goals also change with time, so the logistics KPIs that you utilise this year may not be helpful next year.
Let’s go over some of the more common logistics company goals and align them with the core KPIs, allowing you to stay on target and work as efficiently as possible.
Decreasing shipping costs
It usually falls to managers to reduce shipping costs, but there are several strategies you can deploy today to further facilitate these reductions. One is to utilise a transportation management system (TMS).
But before settling on a strategy, you need to get a clean read of your total freight spend. This includes packing, shipping, TMS fees, staff pay, the cost of maintaining your fleet, and so on.
Here’s a list of cost indicator KPIs you can apply to your business:
Managing freight costs
It’s vital to manage and track your freight specific rates in order to establish a complete view of your logistics costs. Freight rate management KPIs are therefore at the core of your logistics scorecard.
Here are some freight rate management KPIs to consider:
Service performance improvement
Ensuring quality service performance triggers a positive chain reaction across other goals, such as bettering customer experience and relations. Thus, service performance KPIs should be a part of your operational scorecard.
Some suggested service performance metrics to track:
Carrier and inbound vendor compliance management
To reduce shipping costs and manage supply chain discrepancy risks, proper carrier and inbound vendor compliance is essential. Getting out of step with compliance puts your business at risk of fines, damaged freight, delayed shipments and more.
Carrier and inbound vendor compliance KPIs to track:
Teaming up with Sprint Logistics
Key performance indicators (KPIs) remain vital to effective, smoothly running logistics operations, and utilising a logistics scorecard to monitor strengths and weaknesses is a good way to ensure that your business performs up to its potential.
Our team of experts at Sprint Logistics are here to help you achieve your logistics goals. Find out more about our services and how we can optimise and streamline your freight operations and benefit your business.
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]]>The post The impact of climate change on global supply chains appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>A recent report from the UN warned that global carbon emissions must be reduced by at least 45% between now and 2030 to avoid catastrophic global warming.
The UN scientist report of August 2021, titled Code Red for Humanity, stated that carbon emissions must be reduced by 45 percent over 2010 levels by 2030 for the world to not exceed 1.5°C warming.
Global warming and climate change will affect everyone on the planet, drastically altering how we live and work in years to come. For supply chains, climate change will impact the manufacture of consumer goods, transport between regions and vehicle usage.
To reduce carbon emissions and minimise the impact of transport on the environment, the logistics industry faces a range of challenges. The biggest challenge will be balancing environmentally-friendly logistics, such as reducing vehicle emissions and sourcing sustainable packaging materials, with growing global demand for faster, cheaper e-commerce.
At COP26, the climate summit held in Glasgow, UK in 2021, the Internantional Sustainability Standards Board (ISSB) was announced. The board’s recommendations and requirements for globally consistent climate-related processes and disclosures will be published in the second half of 2022; clearly, the time for change is now.
Bodies like the ISSB and greater awareness of the impact of global warming will enable companies to better understand their impact on climate change – and the impact of climate change on their business.
For supply chain managers, the creation of a sustainable supply chain requires analysis of factors including: waste, carbon emissions, carbon footprints, labour conditions,health and safety, and worker exploitation.
There are numerous ways to make supply chains more sustainable, the efficacy of which will vary from business to business. Here are some lesser-known ways to mitigate high carbon emissions.
Fuel consumption
Beyond electric vehicles and banning idling engines, the way vehicles are driven can have a significant impact on emissions. Safe and Fuel Efficient Driving (SAFED) combines driver behaviours – such as gear shifting – with vehicle adaptations like improved aerodynamics to deliver both cost and carbon reductions.
Dead miles
Even after you’ve reduced fuel consumption, there’s still a potentially huge issue with your haulage fleet: the return journey.
Once your fleet has transported their load to the next stage of the supply chain, they’ll need to return to base to pick up more goods to transport. But when they’re driving back to their starting point, they’re burning fuel, creating carbon emissions, and using time on merely moving from one place to another.
Instead, look into ways to make this return journey more efficient. Perhaps there are materials that they could transport back to their starting point, or perhaps you could hire out your fleet for a portion of their return journey by transporting materials for another company? This would make the return journey more efficient, and also deliver more return on your investment of fuel and time.
A sustainable supply chain
As the world warms, we all have a social and environmental responsibility to limit our impact on the ecosystem and look for more responsible and sustainable ways to operate – without having a negative effect on consumer services.
The right logistics service can adapt to your needs and the needs to your customer, offering bespoke solutions such as sustainable packaging materials, low-carbon transport options and electric last-mile delivery. Sprint Logistics builds custom logistics services around our clients, ensuring that from pick and pack to warehousing and freighting, your logistics is fast, efficient and reliable.
Find out more about our logistics services and see how the right solution could benefit your business.
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]]>The post What will COVID-19 mean for the future of logistics? appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>As Europe starts to open up again, it’s clear that logistics, distribution and supply chains solutions will never go back to the pre-COVID ways. So in a post-coronavirus world, what will logistics look like?
The first and most important challenge will be to restart operations safely. Protecting customers and staff from contracting COVID-19 must be your number one priority. Initially, that will mean adhering to government guidelines and staying up to date with changes in legislation on a day-to-day basis, whilst conducting risk assessments to ensure no one is put in danger.
Social distancing up to two metres; hand washing and sanitising; deep-cleaning offices and warehouses; and PPE and face coverings will be the new normal, as well as temperature checks and supporting staff to stay home if they present with coronavirus symptoms.
Poor flexibility, slow reaction times and the hidden cost of single-source dependencies have all come to light in the wake of the pandemic. To strengthen supply chains in the future will require upheaval and innovation at every level, but nowhere more so than in the emergence of regionalisation. Forward stocking locations and local supply will be essential to establish a flexible and adaptable supply chain.
Just as the banks are subject to regular stress-tests following the financial crisis of 2008, the future of logistics will see stress testing in supply chains to ensure business models are optimised and able to cope in catastrophic events, from extreme weather to pandemics and social unrest.
As millions around the world have gone online to work and socialise through lockdown, digital innovation will be central to future logistics operations. Businesses must implement their digital transformation strategies now, and accelerate any that have been lagging behind.
Visibility will be key to ensure supply chains are responsive, flexible and effective. Capabilities like real-time order monitoring and end-to-end inventory visibility are essential now, as well as enhancing communication with other supply chain links, suppliers and carriers, customers and remote workers.
For support and advice about your logistics solutions in this challenging time, Sprint Logistics’ expert team is on hand to answer any queries you may have. Contact us today to find out how we can help you restart your business operations safely and securely.
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]]>The post Why cold chain logistics is more important than ever appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>As the pharmaceutical, medical and food industries around the world are increasingly reliant on the cold chain, it’s no surprise cold chain logistics is more important than ever. New technology and logistics processes are enabling faster and more efficient methods of cold chain logistics, but essentially the cold chain is made up of:
Cooling systems: These bring goods to a suitable temperature for processing, storage and transportation.
Cold storage: Whether waiting to be shipped or between processing and distribution, cold storage ensures the product won’t degrade.
Cold transport: Specialist vehicles which transport goods in a temperature- and humidity-controlled environment.
Cold processing and distribution: Expert handling of products prior to last-mile delivery ensuring items are kept sanitary and at an appropriate temperature whilst being packed into crates, pallets and boxes.
One reason why effective cold chain logistics is increasingly important is its ability to minimise waste. Food wastage, particularly in the developing world, is a result of poor food storage and distribution. Investing in an effective, efficient and expert cold chain can minimise waste and food degradation, so less is thrown away and production demand subsequently drops.
The cold chain has also found itself in the spotlight as a result of the COVID-19 global pandemic. Away from the cold transportation that a vaccine will require to reach people around the world, the “new normal” of online deliveries for food and, increasingly, pharmaceuticals, mean cold storage and transport to provide fresh groceries are increasingly in demand.
An effective cold chain relies not just on the right equipment and highly-skilled staff, but also efficient planning; even the smallest delay can have a huge impact on perishable goods. A loss of product quality, or a spoiled shipment, can be costly for both the shipper and the end user.
Sprint Logistics’ expertise in international freight, storage and last-mile delivery enables us to provide smart supply chain solutions to clients around the world. By getting to know your business needs, our expert teams provide solutions that work for you, utilising the latest technology for tracking, monitoring and managing shipments alongside our extensive network of warehouse facilities and distribution centres.
Contact us today to see how Sprint can support your supply chain and logistics processes.
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]]>The post How slow fashion is a road to sustainability appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>Slow fashion “encourages slower production schedules, fair wages, lower carbon footprints and (ideally) zero waste. It represents a turn towards small batch collections, garments that are designed to last and a dedication to minimising the carbon footprint of one of the world’s largest sectors
When getting a product from A to B some amount of carbon emissions is inevitable, but there are ways to minimize and offset the environmental impact of fashion logistics and distribution.
Going green isn’t a sacrifice that requires significant investment; even small changes can make a big difference. In fact, the Carbon Trust estimates that a 20% cut in energy costs represents the same bottom line benefit as a 5% increase in sales.
Effective logistics planning, with the environment in mind, can lead to fewer truck miles, less fuel usage, less warehouse space and ultimately cut costs and waste, saving you time and money in the long run.
Simply reducing your reliance on air freight and using more efficient vehicles for transport where greener alternatives (such as rail) are available can significantly cut down your CO2 emissions. Eco-minded customers are increasingly opting for slower – but greener – delivery methods, so you can build brand loyalty by offering a truly valuable service to your customers whilst also minimising your carbon footprint.
Plastic wrap, tissue, cardboard boxes and marketing materials have become the staples of delivery and are increasingly seen as hugely wasteful. Global brands, responding to consumer demand, are acting fast to reduce wasteful packaging; Gucci recently declared its aim to use only 100% recyclable packaging.
Optimising carton space, sourcing sustainable packaging materials and even using recyclable hangers rather than plastic ones can result in huge savings for any fashion retailer as well as the planet. Using compression packaging to pull air out of plastic-wrapped garments, enabling more goods to be shipped at a lower cost, can increase efficiencies up to 25%.
With over two decades of experience in warehousing, freight, logistics and distribution, Sprint Logistics understands fashion retail logistics and we’re dedicated to helping our customers find greener ways to grow their businesses.
Our fashion and retail supply management solutions are tailored to your needs; we can help support your operations and minimise your carbon footprint whilst also ensuring you receive a leading global logistics service.
To find out more about our environmentally-friendly packaging, shipping and distribution methods, contact our expert team today.
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]]>The post 5 common ecommerce logistics challenges and how to tackle them appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>Outsourcing fulfilment and scaling up your ecommerce business can free up time so you can focus on the brand. Here are some of the key challenges you might come across:
Today’s consumers hold the power. As competition grows between webshops and marketplaces, many companies are selling similar products online. This means that it’s easy for consumers to shop around and pick the best price and delivery time, and they are unlikely to wait around if you’re out of stock on a product, and will instead go to a competitor. Therefore, it’s crucial that you match the best price and shipping time out there, and that your inventory management system is solid so that you never run out of stock on a popular product.
A comprehensive warehouse management system will play a crucial part in meeting demands on fulfilment speed. An efficiently organised warehouse helps speed up inventory management and product retrieval, meaning that you get your product picked, packed and shipped off to your customers as quickly as possible. Localised warehousing will also help you significantly, and the move towards this has been accelerating as companies experience higher demand in order volumes.
Offering real-time tracking is no longer an option – it will put you at a competitive disadvantage if you don’t. Shoppers want to be able to anticipate when their delivery will arrive, and the more accurate the detail you can give, the happier the customers, ensuring they return.
While this visibility needs to be full and in real-time, the importance of the last mile has to be stressed. Sometimes people need to fit deliveries around other activities and plan when they need to be home. With the rise of delivery apps, consumers are also used to being able to see exactly where their driver is and what time they will arrive, even to the minute. The smaller the window you can give, the better.
As the proportion of market share held by ecommerce grows, m-commerce is growing at an even greater speed. This trend is projected to continue, if not accelerate. Technological advances mean it’s easy for people to shop on their phones wherever they are, and it’s especially popular with younger generations, who hold increasing spending power.
This is why your website needs to be mobile-optimised. There are, however, many other things to consider when choosing the right platform for your business, including shopping cart solutions, inventory management software and analytics systems, to ensure optimal growth and efficiency. Navigating these demands can seem like a headache without expert guidance, especially if you’re transitioning to new systems.
As ecommerce continues to grow in popularity, it has become a more attractive playing field to fraudsters and identity thieves. Criminals target both sellers and buyers, and while successful hacking incidents are relatively rare, they can gain media interest when they happen. This can be detrimental to a company’s reputation as it dents consumer confidence. Customers’ details need to remain safe, and reliable and up-to-date security systems are necessary to ensure this.
End-to-end third party logistics allows you the flexibility to focus on growing your business while you outsource fulfilment. At Sprint Logistics, we offer comprehensive retail logistics services from storage, pick and pack and shipping to an easy returns process, while giving you total control and visibility over your logistics.
Our ecommerce delivery services integrate seamlessly into your supply chain, while we manage everything from freight planning, to serial coding, to single and onward bulk shipping. You’ll have access to our international network of warehouses, forward stocking locations and delivery services, as well as our expertise.
Contact us today to find out more about the ecommerce logistics solutions we offer.
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]]>The post 5 reasons your business should consider outsourcing marketing materials distribution appeared first on Sprint Logistics.
]]>By handing over choice of delivery options, boxes, wrap and warehousing, you’re guaranteed to save time and money by outsourcing your marketing materials distribution. Trusting a logistics expert to deliver your goods ensures items arrive on time, via a reliable courier and from a centralised location, drastically reducing your overheads.
Throughout the year, your distribution requirements will change; special offers and quieter periods will mean inventory levels and distribution volumes will peak and trough. Outsourcing makes handling seasonal changes easy, as it’s dealt with remotely and any distribution strategy is tailored to your needs, so you can improve the effectiveness of your marketing.
Understanding international shipping, customs regulations and other intricacies of distribution takes time and expertise. Even packing boxes takes staff away from their core tasks and diverts precious time that could be better spent growing your business. Logistics experts know distribution inside-out, so utilise that knowledge for your benefit and use your own time to concentrate on your core business activities.
More and more businesses are working to reduce their carbon footprint and many expert logistics companies can help you with greener distribution strategies. Distribution hubs ensure your materials travel fewer miles, while IT solutions that monitor stock levels in real time cut down on waste.
Utilising the expertise of a logistics partner allows you to dispatch marketing materials on demand, monitor stock levels and ensure your distribution strategy is as efficient and cost-effective as possible. The savings made through outsourcing your marketing materials distribution translate into tangible benefits for your business, so you can maintain your competitive edge.
From local markets to international shipping, Sprint Logistics has the expertise, infrastructure and technical capabilities to support your business’ distribution needs. Our extensive distribution network covers over 200 countries with flexible services designed to suit you, whether you’re sending a one-off shipment or ongoing campaigns.
Contact us today to find out how our warehousing, distribution and logistics solutions can support your business.
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