Special Report Logistics
he said. “I think there’s a truism in that everyday operations. We now have a lot through both leading technology and very
recession often drives better performance. more central control over our operational good practical use of that technology.”
In our case, we have attended to things fleet and utilisation has gone up as a
that we otherwise might not have done result. And the fact that saving fuel costs He also makes the point that, on the one
and are now far more critical of ourselves for our business also helps the environ - hand, CEVA is looking to repeat processes
in a constructive way. Consequently, we ment is one of those joyous situations to propagate best practice across its
find ourselves in a stronger and more where doing things right actually makes operations, but on the other is looking for
efficient position in the market place.” you more profitable too.” flexibility to best serve either a particular
As regards the companies within CEVA’s vertical sector or particular customer.
customer base, Pomlett believes they are
planning for better things and many of
them have a reasonable expectation
that things will improve around the
“
“So, the balance between these two
The fact that saving fuel costs areas is putting in place something that
for our business also helps the
is very repeatable and scalable, while
also making sure that we are able to
second half of 2010.
environment is one of those joyous
differentiate the solution and customise it
to the specific needs of our supply chain,”
situations where doing things right
explained Court. “For example, some of
Double benefit
actually makes you more profitable too.”
the techniques that we apply in high-tech
supply chains are also extremely relevant
Pomlett recognises that one way to protect
– Leigh Pomlett..
for consumer and retail, or even
profitability in hard economic times is to automotive, but other aspects probably
reduce company outlay in terms of things aren’t. So, we’re always looking to get
such as fuel expenditure. He is also quick The value of technology the right economies of scale across each
to realise the positive environmental area, while also focusing on flexibility.”
repercussions by putting in place such a Specifically focusing on the Group’s UK
strategy. “We are very aware of our carbon and Ireland operations, CEVA’s John Court
footprint and continually measure, monitor stresses that technology plays an absolutely ‘Smart’ solutions
and improve this in terms of our truck and key role in helping the company to win
warehouse operations,” he explained. business and improve its operations. Court points out that CEVA has set out
“We require it of our business, and our “Any large-scale sophisticated supply to achieve these requirements by putting
customers increasingly require it of us too. chain is highly dependent primarily on in place what he refers to as ‘Smart’
solutions. “These
solutions either focus
on a specific industry
or on a specific activity,”
he said. “For instance,
we are a leading player
in two-person, home-
delivery products such
as furniture and kitchen
units to the end
consumer. We have well
optimised processes,
including IT technology,
for this sector. Solutions
include mobile IT
technology such as
vehicle tracking, and also
use mobile handhelds to
notify the customer when
we’re en route to their
location, making sure
they’re at home and able
to receive the delivery,
then scanning product
at the point of delivery.”
Court added that CEVA
can also refine these
technologies and apply
Our truck utilisation is up massively year- optimised processes, and using the right them to activity in other countries and
on-year, while our truck mileage in terms technology to underpin these processes,” other core market sectors. “For example,
of achieving the same aims is down. So he said. “So, we’re always looking to if we are delivering medical product to
it’s about being more intelligent about our differentiate ourselves in the market patients at home, some of the facets of >>
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IT RESELLER – NOVEMBER 2009 7
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