SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS
A
s peak draws closer, e-commerce, retail and 3PL are preparing for their busiest period yet. And with the global e-commerce market projected to reach US$128.04 billion this year,
organisations are looking for ways they can optimise their warehouses to meet this growing demand and maximise their profits. Equipment readiness during this key
period is vital for scaling operations and increasing capacity. However, according to new research commissioned by Southgate, 58 per cent of businesses in packing and fulfilment operations rely either on estimates or informal methods to calculate downtime and other inefficiencies. The result is that the full impact that
broken or damaged equipment has on productivity and ultimately a company’s bottom line is unknown. Recognising this as specialists in the
repair and servicing of material handling equipment, Southgate is now encouraging companies to look more closely at their inventory, particularly their equipment and consider what items can be efficiently repaired instead of replaced. It is also encouraging them to ensure they have a robust servicing and maintenance plan in place to help pre-empt equipment failure. Southgate understands how detrimental
it can be when a piece of equipment stops working. And with the ability to order a replacement in a matter of minutes, replacing low-cost items such as trolleys and carts can initially seem to be the most cost-effective solution. However, investing in a holistic maintenance programme that includes servicing and repair can often be the most efficient choice long term. John Maher, Head of Technical Services
at Southgate, said: “Material handling equipment such as carts, trolleys and cages are an integral part of operations in the warehouse. As a result, they often come under significant wear and tear from constant use. Even one damaged cart or trolley wheel, particularly during peak, can have a significant impact on productivity and commercial success. “This is where planned maintenance,
which involves regular servicing alongside ad-hoc repairs, comes into play. It acts as a preventative action, capturing issues and malfunctions early, as well as anticipating equipment failure, spotting components that are beginning to fail and avoiding any
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SUPPLY CHAIN SOLUTIONS: HOW TO OPTIMISE EFFICIENCY THIS PEAK SEASON
By John Maher, Head of Technical Services, Southgate Global
Leading equipment, consumables and servicing provider for packing and fulfilment operations, Southgate Global, is helping businesses boost efficiency by reducing their downtime ahead of peak season.
potential major disruptions and unplanned downtime. “While taking a preventative approach is
vital, unexpected equipment breakdowns can’t always be avoided. To ensure you are best supported during these moments, it is essential to have on hand the expertise in the form of a responsive maintenance provider to get goods flowing again. “We recently supported a large business
that faced significant downtime due to damaged carts and trolleys. With a bespoke maintenance plan, repairs and thorough servicing to pre-empt equipment failure, the company was able to reduce downtime and CAPEX by over £40 million in a single year.” Southgate has invested extensively in
its Technical Services offering to help organisations reduce their downtime. Its expert team provides a thorough assessment of material handling equipment that includes detailed evaluations tailored to a specific company. Its team has the expertise to create a bespoke maintenance programme that meets any equipment needs and budget requirements.
SEPTEMBER 2025 | FACTORY&HANDLINGSOLUTIONS Its mobile services can offer on-site
repairs and equipment maintenance. Servicing equipment on location can help to minimise downtime and ensure equipment is quickly functioning and ready for use again. Southgate has also this year launched
its latest free White Paper titled ‘Repair or Replace? A Southgate Global White Paper on the ESG and CAPEX Advantages of Extending Equipment Life’, highlighting how a repair- first maintenance programme can benefit a business. The White Paper also includes a calculator to help identify when repair is the best option. With more than 40 expert technicians
maintaining and repairing over 5,000 items of packing and material handling equipment, from Southgate and other manufacturers, each week across the UK and Europe, the Southgate team is on hand to minimise downtime and help navigate peak season.
Southgate
www.southgateglobal.com
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