shd excellence in logistics Homebase/Unipart l
level of 2,500. "A large proportion of the products we handle have the greatest range change for Homebase," says Pearce. "So, we have to manage the change very carefully, clearing the old stock through and ensuring that the new stock is in every store and ready to go when Homebase announce a new range."
One of the most striking aspects of the Cowley NIC is that it is a conventional warehouse operation. Conventional in the sense that it is not reliant on automation; unconventional perhaps, in terms of the well-honed lean practices by which it is run. Employee engagement and individual development are core aspects of Unipart Logistics’ management principles. These are set in motion by a stepped approach to developing staff known as the ‘Gate to Great’ journey that leads the individual through five levels of role development – see, learn, do, teach, coach.
“We operate a true partnership with Unipart Logistics and there is a great level of understanding between the two businesses – both are committed to continuous improvement, cost reduction and a lean approach.”
The 'Unipart Way'
The 'Unipart Way' encourages staff to work in teams and to constantly monitor and question the efficiency of the tasks they perform. Teams meet on a daily, weekly and monthly basis to
18 ShD January 2012
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review performance against key performance indicators (KPIs) and a series of tools are used to examine processes in order to drive performance, delivering greater value to the customer.
Visual management techniques are also used to enhance operational performance, by speeding decision making and cutting errors. And display boards are deployed to provide feedback to staff on their performance. Mapping processes, creating work sequences and determining information flows for a particular task are all part of the ‘Unipart Way’ and are used to remove waste from each process.
Ensuring that an operation the size of the Cowley NIC runs to the greatest efficiency requires the constant measurement of performance. Over 30 KPIs are used to monitor performance relating to such activities as receiving goods, putting them away, through picking, packing and despatch. Each process is accounted for in terms of quality, accuracy, and time.
Pearce explains that pick accuracy is critical: "As stores do not check deliveries on receipt, simply the containers, pick accuracy is extremely important. At present, we operate to 99.7%; however there is an opportunity to take this further by working with suppliers to incorporate bar-codes at source."
Beyond the warehouse Beyond the warehouse environment, Unipart Logistics has been working
with Homebase on using the ‘Unipart Way’ to help retail stores improve efficiencies, from receipt of goods through to the shelf edge. And now, the retailer is looking at the opportunities that exist in leveraging Unipart Logistics’ facilities in the Far East for consolidating in-bound goods from a number of sources. Taking this step will allow greater flexibility and a reduction in inventory costs. Further projects are also in progress. Plans are underway to invest in the layout of facilities at Cowley to improve productivity by an additional 10%, increasing internal storage by 18% on the same footprint.
These projects are just part of the ongoing collaboration between the service provider and the retailer, actions that are delivering a constant stream of productivity improvements and cost reductions, making the partnership a true working partnership that achieves mutual benefit. "We operate a true partnership with Unipart Logistics and there is a great level of understanding between the two businesses – both are committed to continuous improvement, cost reduction and a lean approach," says Nigel Basey. "There has been a tremendous amount of flexibility from the Unipart team and they have never turned down volume. What’s more, they have always done what they said they would do, they have always honoured their commitments, and that’s why we have a high degree of trust and confidence in them." ●
www.unipartlogistics.com
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