SUPPLY CHAIN, WAREHOUSING & SCANNING 17
WAITROSE MODELS FUTURE DISTRIBUTION STRATEGY
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aitrose is using CLASS, the warehouse simulation tool from Cirrus Logistics, to support the
development of its distribution network. With significant growth planned across
all branch formats, including convenience stores (C-Stores), the UK supermarket needs to support ongoing development across its distribution centres (DCs). It was looking to add a new DC to its
network in Leyland, Lancashire and wanted to optimise the process design for this. Waitrose initially decided to focus on its fresh operation and how to incorporate picking for mixed branch formats, where convenience and service station orders were being picked with traditional and larger branches. Using CLASS, Waitrose discovered that
the current layout could be altered in order to save considerable travel time per picking journey and improve productivity. “We’re very impressed with the results that we’re already seeing and the benefits experienced at this early stage of having CLASS within the Waitrose business,” remarked Ian Robbins, distribution network, analysis and budgetary control manager at Waitrose. “We had looked at alternative options for
simulating our DC operations and found that in the tender process CLASS was not only simple to use, it adapted to our unique requirements seamlessly.” By using various data points in the
initial trial stage, the Waitrose team was able to analyse its current operation and understand how increased activity and flow-through would impact warehouse efficiency and service to selling branches. The model was used to simulate multiple activities, including inbound arrivals, receiving, order picking, temperature- controlled environments and loading, to see how changes to pick techniques and to activity timings could positively impact its supply chain effectiveness.
ASDA STREAMLINES DISTRIBUTION
Asda is nearing completion of a two-year project to transform its retail distribution operation with logistics and route optimisation software. The UK supermarket has been implementing a new regional distribution structure using a
transport optimisation and execution system from Paragon Software Systems,Total Transport System (TTS), integrated with real-time vehicle tracking. Chris Hall,Asda national transport manager, commented: “We have been able to take a standard solution and configure it to our specific requirements.”He said it has enabled a move from individual distribution centre planning towards the creation of seven UK planning regions that provide differentiation between regional planning, to maximise geographical resources, and local execution for compliance to plan and store service accountability. Hall added: “Asda transport has been completely transformed to provide new efficiencies across the board. Paragon TTS has enabled this and is providing significant improvements in the way we plan and manage our resources and in how we plan more than 18,000 store deliveries a week using our 900-strong
fleet.The results of this business change are on-time delivery improvements to the stores, optimisation of our driver and vehicle resources and greater route compliance, which is also reducing mileage, fuel costs and emissions.”
“With Waitrose being a co-owned
business, everyone employed by the company has an interest in the whole operation and its success,” added Robbins. “It’s important that we make the best of our budgets and CLASS allows us to show the impact of the changes needed in order to grow our business.”
LIZ CLAIBORNE RENEWS CLOUD SUPPLY CHAIN CONTRACT
Liz Claiborne Inc. this summer extended its contract with GT Nexus for a supply chain visibility and control platform. GT Nexus connects the fashion apparel and accessories company to its global partner network and supply
chain.All inventory and supply chain information is linked and stored centrally in the cloud. Bob Keller, vice president of supply chain, logistics and administration at Liz Claiborne Inc., said: “We have automated the highly complex coordination of inventory movement in the cloud, where our entire network of supply chain partners all work against a single information
set.That is the only way you can run an agile supply chain.” An ‘intelligence’ engine also enables Liz
Claiborne team to measure and analyse performance. “Access to this information is critical,” added Keller. “GT Nexus has helped us become more proactive with internal performance reporting.”
SEPTEMBER/OCTOBER 2012 RETAIL TECHNOLOGY
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