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How AMRs Are Fulfilling the Potential of Automation in Modern Supply Chains

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3pls, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Technology

How AMRs Are Fulfilling the Potential of Automation in Modern Supply Chains

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Supply chains have been slow and disruption-prone in the COVID-19 era, largely because of operational deficiencies and a lack of skilled labor. 

Automated mobile robots (AMRs) can address both challenges by replacing outdated technologies and giving the workforce a boost of artificial manpower.

Here are some ways that AMRs are fulfilling the potential of automation and getting modern supply chains back on track.

How Do AMRs Function?

An AMR is a type of robot that can perform tasks without human guidance. It’s the next step in the evolution of autonomous robots, coming after the autonomous guided vehicle (AGV) that could only do certain predetermined tasks under close supervision. While AGVs are still useful for transporting materials and working alongside human employees, AMRs bring more value.

AMRs use a variety of sensory technologies including cameras, magnetic tapes and lasers to process their environments, which isn’t a new concept. AMRs are so special because of their artificial intelligence and machine learning software. When a sensor identifies an unexpected obstacle, the built-in software can immediately reroute the robot and continue its assigned task.

What Are the Different Types of AMRs?

AMRs fall into three broad categories based on their functions — transportation, order picking and sortation. The main AMRs for transportation are self-driving versions of traditional vehicles — namely self-driving trucks that can reduce congestion and fuel consumption on busy supply routes. Self-driving forklifts and pallet jacks are other common examples.

The main AMR devices for picking orders are industrial robotic arms, which fill the positions of assembly line workers in warehouses or manufacturing plants. There are numerous types of robotic arms that play key roles in supply chain automation, including multipurpose six-axis robots and collaborative robots that are designed to work alongside humans.

High-speed tilt tray robots are the primary AMRs that warehouses use for sortation. They include a simple reclining tray and barcode reader to classify products into their appropriate incoming or outgoing lines, but the AI software works at a much faster and more efficient rate than human sorters.

Benefits of Using AMRs

AMRs are admittedly challenging to adopt because of their deployment and reconfiguration costs compared to AGVs. Feeding an autonomous robot new information and keeping it in good condition is hard work. However, the long-term benefits far outweigh the costs. Here are the biggest reasons why supply chain professionals should invest in AMRs.

Compensates for Lost Labor

The most immediate benefit of using AMRs is the compensation for lost labor. Wholesale trade and manufacturing were among the hardest hit industries by the Great Resignation that took place from 2020 to 2022. These sectors have more than one million combined job openings in the U.S. as of March 2023. 

Rather than attempting to hire more employees, companies can fill those empty roles with AMRs instead. AMRs are the ideal devices for the mundane and repetitive tasks that make up a majority of supply chain processes. Robots can move, pick and sort the entire inventory while humans continue to occupy more people-oriented departments.

Greater Supply Chain Efficiency

Outsourcing monotonous tasks to AMRs leads to greater efficiency at every step in the supply chain. They remove human limitations from the equation, leading to fewer errors and allowing operations to run 24/7. Managers no longer need to account for independent variables such as an employee’s health or mood on any given day.

Fleets of self-driving trucks can transport goods with better driving techniques and thus fewer delays. Self-driving forklifts, pallet jacks and other warehouse devices can move items to their assigned destinations with pinpoint accuracy and cause no damage. Industrial robotic arms also operate with surgical precision when assembling and packaging products, minimizing waste.

Safer Work Environment

Implementing autonomous robots also creates a safer work environment. AMRs use safety-rated LiDAR systems, one example being the OTTO Lifter. It has a 360-degree view of its surroundings, allowing it to avoid accidents that may lead to injuries.

Instead of having a bunch of employees driving forklifts around a warehouse with innumerable obstacles, managers can switch to AMRs that navigate around obstacles without error or hesitation. Similarly, performing dangerous tasks like incisions, welds or handling hazardous materials is much safer in the hands of a robot rather than a human.

Higher Product Quality and Quantity

When a company maximizes its safety and efficiency, the inevitable result is higher product quality and quantity. Every item that an AMR handles will look and function the same. On the rare chance that a defect occurs, managers can add that information to the AMR’s software to ensure it never happens again. 

Manufacturing products with this level of accuracy also leads to a higher overall output. AMRs can’t directly solve the shortages of raw materials in various industries, but they can get the most out of the limited resources a company has. Moreover, AMRs can absorb new data, make objective decisions and adapt to external variables in ways that humans can’t.

Significant Savings

The final benefit of using AMRs in supply chain operations is significant savings — both from operational costs and scaling. Safe and efficient operations yield great savings because companies don’t have to pay for equipment damage, defective products, employee accidents and other disruptions. Labor costs are also much lower with AMRs included in the workforce.

AMRs are also highly flexible, so businesses can add them to their growing operations as needed. This unmatched scalability allows managers to free up capital for other expenditures and add more AMR units over time. Investing in a new technology in the long run is more affordable than modifying or replacing a fixed system in the short term.

Keeps Up With Supply Chain Trends

Lastly, businesses that invest in AMRs have made a critical step in following the latest supply chain trends. With the rise of lightning-fast e-commerce and changing customer expectations, the demand for speed and efficiency has never been higher. Human employees in a depleted workforce can’t keep up with this demand, but AMRs can.

Armed with scalable robotic solutions, companies can adapt to the changing attitudes of their customers without missing a beat. They can easily change an AMR’s functionality by adding new data to the software instead of causing downtime to upgrade the facility. AMRs operate independently and can shift to a new task or location without hiccups.

AMRs Are the Present, Not the Future

New technologies like AMRs often get discussed in terms of future benefits, which is a mistake. AMRs are the present, not the future. They are playing critical roles in supply chain optimization right now, and they will only become more indispensable as time goes on. Business leaders need to invest in AMRs now if they want to overcome today’s economic challenges.

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3pls, Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Top Five Strategies to Fortify Supply Chains in 2023

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Developing a robust risk management strategy is vital for businesses. It enables them to tackle potential supply chain risks head-on and establish resilient plans that can withstand unforeseen challenges. Despite the backdrop of significant supply chain disruptions in recent years, it’s evident that a number of organizations are still in the process of enhancing their preparedness. A survey conducted by Hubs, involving over 300 participants, revealed that a significant 76.6% of companies encountered disruptions in 2022. This underscores the need for further efforts to fortify businesses against upcoming supply chain challenges.

This article sheds light on key elements for organizations to establish a resilient supply chain. Interestingly, these very solutions found resonance among participants in Hubs’ survey.

1. Automation

2. Reserve inventory

3. Geographical diversification

4. Agile internal processes

5. Supply chain monitoring.

1. Automation

With Robotic Process Automation (RPA), many repetitive manual tasks can be digitized and streamlined, reducing supply chain complexity and lessening reliance on manual labor.

Automating the Request for Quote (RFQ) and design for manufacturability (DFM) processes allows companies to provide precise quotes in a matter of seconds. Instead of relying on conventional rule-based quoting methods, the integration of machine learning algorithms enables instantaneous quotes when a customer uploads a CAD file.

Automation also helps businesses break down silos and streamline the sharing of data among supply chain links. By using industrial IoT devices such as smart shelves and sensors, data can be gathered for warehouse monitoring. This, in turn, allows suppliers to pinpoint inventory needs and identify supply chain bottlenecks and vulnerabilities.

2. Reserve inventory

Though it goes against lean manufacturing principles, building a reserve inventory can significantly improve supply chain resilience. This approach effectively creates a buffer, ensuring that if a link in the supply chain breaks, there is ample inventory to maintain operations while the link is restored. It is especially beneficial to maintain reserve inventory for critical parts and those not easily sourced from alternative suppliers.

While cost has been an obstacle to the widespread adoption of reserve inventory strategies, the rise of AI-driven cost analyses and predictions is changing the landscape. Supply chain partners will soon be able to more accurately forecast the likelihood and cost of supply chain disruptions, balancing these against the expenses of bolstering inventories.

3. Geographical diversification

Recent events have highlighted the importance of diversifying supply chains. For instance, pandemic lockdowns in China halted manufacturing at various times between 2020 and 2022, and Europe’s heavy reliance on Russia for gas resulted in notable energy shortages in the first half of 2023. In our latest survey, 41% of companies indicated that diversifying their supply chain is the optimal strategy to avert future disruptions.

With a robust, distributed network of suppliers or potential suppliers, supply chains can adjust to regional disturbances and shifting geopolitics. If one geographic area is impacted, suppliers from another region can step in to bridge the gap. Establishing a sturdy and varied network of suppliers is challenging. Companies that lack internal resources to get this done, can turn to distributed manufacturing platforms like Hubs.

4. Agile internal processes

Supply chain resilience isn’t just about external flexibility; internal processes play a crucial role too. Large organizations should be more receptive to agile processes, allowing team members to move swiftly and dynamically in business growth. Promoting cross-functionality and granting teams more autonomy can make internal procedures, such as product development, faster and more adaptable.

An agile approach prioritizes ongoing collaboration with clients and stakeholders at every step. By continually refining based on their feedback, we ensure superior product quality, clear processes, heightened efficiency, and minimized risks, with projects under constant observation and assessment.

To put things in perspective, during the pandemic, 93% of businesses observed that their agile units outperformed their non-agile counterparts.

5. Supply chain monitoring

In the manufacturing industry, tier-one suppliers provide parts or materials directly to the original equipment manufacturer (OEM). Tier-two suppliers supply these parts or materials to tier-one suppliers, while tier-three suppliers do the same for tier-two suppliers. While many businesses focus on the first and second tiers because of their apparent importance, broadening their scope could offer added advantages.

Tier-three suppliers can have a substantial impact on the entire supply chain. Delays from these deeper-tier suppliers can ripple through and disrupt the entire supply chain. Monitoring suppliers across all levels allows businesses to detect potential issues early on, preventing larger disruptions down the road. However, the intricacies involved in tracking everything from raw materials to the finished product might explain why only 11.6% of survey respondents viewed extensive supply chain monitoring as a vital measure against disruptions. Fortunately, the emergence of specialized software tools has made supply chain monitoring more accessible.

Furthermore, companies are increasingly tapping into AI and machine learning to enhance supply chain efficiency. While a mere 13.1% of surveyed companies admitted to leveraging AI and ML, an impressive 90.9% of those who did found it extremely beneficial.

This article is a part of Hub’s Supply Chain Resilience Report 2023. You can download the complete report for free by clicking here.

About Hubs

Hubs is an on-demand digital manufacturing platform that was founded in Amsterdam in 2013. The platform offers easy access to a wide variety of manufacturing capabilities supplied by a global network of more than 300 manufacturing partners. Hubs was acquired by Protolabs in 2021 to bring customers the world’s most comprehensive manufacturing solution.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News

GEODIS will bring its Logistics Expertise to Rugby World Cup France 2023… the Sporting Event of the Year!

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Rugby World Cup 2023 runs from September 8 to October 28, 2023, in France. GEODIS has been chosen as Official Freight Carrier for the tournament. Behind this international sporting event lies a tailor-made logistics operation that will ensure the tournament runs smoothly.

The GEODIS group has assigned around 140 employees to the operational organization of this event. In all, some 80 tons of equipment essential to the teams will be airlifted to France, then transported between the teams’ hotels and the 10 host cities.

GEODIS is responsible for transporting equipment to and from the countries of origin of the various teams, located on five continents.

From the start of Rugby World Cup 2023 and throughout the 51 days of competition, more than 40 GEODIS drivers will be transporting equipment for the 20 participating teams, including players’ kit, as well as training and body-building equipment, between the teams’ base camps and the stadiums where the matches will be played. This represents an average of 4 tons of freight per team. For journeys of under 300 kilometers, road transport will be used with biogas-fueled vehicles.

To provide all these services in France and in the teams’ home countries, GEODIS is relying on both its Freight Forwarding and Distribution & Express Lines of Business, with coordination handled by a dedicated control center based in Brive-la-Gaillarde, in southwest France.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

10 Factors to Consider When Choosing a Logistics Management Software

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Logistics management is critical in today’s fast-paced corporate setup for streamlining the supply chain and guaranteeing seamless operations. As an organization’s logistical requirements keep rising, it becomes clear that manual methods and legacy systems hamper progress. The solution is to invest in reliable logistics management software (LMS). In this blog, we give you ten critical aspects to consider when choosing the best logistics management solution for your organization.

Q.  Can the logistics management software empower my organization to scale operations effortlessly?

Solution: Check the software’s Scalability and Flexibility: A LMS that can fit your current requirement but has no option to grow, would be a waste of resources. Hence, to accommodate growth,  scalability, and flexibility are key to future-proofing your logistics operations. An ideal logistics management solution should adapt to your evolving requirements, allowing you to add new features, and users, and integrate with other business systems seamlessly.

Q. Can the logistics management system seamlessly bridge gaps between departments, eliminating silos and increasing collaboration?

Solution: Look for Integration Capabilities: The ability of the software to interconnect with multiple departments will ensure smooth data flow between various departments and external vendors. Always look for solutions that can integrate with your existing Enterprise Resource Planning (ERP) systems, warehouse management software, and transportation management systems.

Q. How to make reports to inform top management to make easy decisions to steer the company towards unmatched efficiency?

Solution: Ensure Real-time Visibility: Having real-time visibility into your logistics operations will help top management with decision-making and mitigating potential disruptions. A reliable LMS solution provides comprehensive tracking and reporting features. This will enable you to monitor inventory levels, shipment status, and delivery times at any given moment.

Q.Can logistics management solutions foster quick adoption across departments, bringing the entire organization on board without any hassle?

Solution: Check for a user-friendly Interface: A user-friendly interface is critical for widespread adoption within your organization. Employees who are not trained in handling complex software may become resistant to its use, hampering workforce productivity. Through its user-friendly interface, the right logistics management solution simplifies workflows, minimizes errors, and saves critical time.

Q. Does logistics management software have ironclad security measures to protect my valuable logistics data from cyber risks?

Solution: Check for Security and Compliance: The sensitive nature of logistical data demands stringent security measures. Ensure that the software meets industry-leading security and compliance standards. Role-based access control and data encryption protect your data from potential attacks.

Q. Can a logistics management system offer power analytics to make data-driven decisions, leading to continuous process improvements and competitive advantages?

Solution: Test Analytics and Reporting: Data-driven insights are critical for identifying areas for improvement and optimizing logistical procedures. Look for software with powerful analytics and reporting capabilities that will enable you to acquire useful business intelligence from your logistics operations.

Q. Will the logistics management software provider offer employees a dedicated support team  through the software’s implementation and usage

Solution: Check for Customer Support and Training: Implementing new software presents obstacles and strong customer support may make or break the process. Choose a logistics management solution vendor that provides comprehensive training and continuous assistance to enable a smooth transition and full use of the system’s capabilities.

Q. How good is the logistics management system with flexibility requirements based on data-on-the-go?

Solution: Ensure Mobile Accessibility: In a mobile-first environment, the ability to access logistical data on the fly can have a substantial impact on decision-making and responsiveness. Logistics management software that includes a mobile application allows your team to stay connected and make key decisions from any location at any time will be crucial for business success. 

Q. The investment cost of a logistics management solution is high, how to convince the top management to bring about the change (digitize operations)?

Solution: Measure cost-effectiveness: While investing in a logistics management system is a vital step toward optimization, the return on investment (ROI) must also be considered. Look for a solution that strikes the perfect combination of price and features, resulting in long-term savings and increased productivity.

Q. How to choose the right logistics management software?

Solution: Check Industry Reputation and References: Finally, before making a selection, look into the software provider’s reputation and get recommendations from other companies that have used the same solution. Positive feedback and success stories from other firms instill trust in the software’s capabilities. This will ensure you embark on your transformative journey with the utmost confidence.

Conclusion

Choosing the best logistics management software is an important decision that affects the performance and effectiveness of your supply chain operations. Whether you want to convince the top management or at the top level, you must invest in a solution that optimizes logistical processes, streamlines operations and boosts the organization’s competitiveness. By taking these ten crucial factors into account, you can be assured to find your ideal logistics management solution. Remember that the right software is more than a simple tool; it is a driver of progress and growth in the fast-paced world of logistics management.

Author Bio

Matt Murdock works for a leading SAAS-based platform called LogiNext Solutions. Where he helps businesses optimize their logistics operations and improve their delivery performance. With a passion for innovation and technology, Matt is always looking for new ways to streamline logistics processes and enhance customer experiences. In his free time, he enjoys writing blogs based on his experience in the logistics industry. Happy reading!

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

The Introductory Phase of Generative AI and Industrial Supply Chains

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Logistics firms are seeking to capitalize on the generative artificial intelligence (AI) revolution. Vast networks and significant revenue hangs in the balance. Yet, many are choosing to proceed cautiously as the chatbots common in the consumer products world have the sector wary of error rates and the potential fallout. 

There is a big difference between a chatbot fouling up a t-shirt order compared to botching the delivery of millions of dollars worth of goods. For big freight brokers such as RXO, the logistics provider Phlo Systems, and trucking firm XPO, intrigue in advancing with generative AI is there but relegated for the time being to more mundane and less risky tasks such as declaring imports, booking loads, and tracking shipments. 

In November of last year, OpenAI launched its ChatGPT bot. Everyone from law firms to retailers jumped at the opportunity to integrate a technology capable of sifting through massive amounts of information, calling out patterns, and then making predictions in minutes. For law firms this was a no-brainer, allowing the firm to save human resources time on tasks like performing legal research, analyzing contracts, and drafting documents. Retailers capitalized by using generative AI to scrutinize customer search queries and then route them to similar products according to the customer’s profile and purchasing history. 

For many in logistics, however, the stakes are high when you’re relying on generative AI to make supply-chain decisions across dozens of partners along the chain. The data behind aiding manufacturers and retailers to move shipments over air, ground, and sea is fast-changing, proprietary, and very complicated. If something goes awry the last “person” you want to be relying on is a chatbot. 

The previously mentioned RXO is analyzing the automation of customer support for only small and medium-sized firms. This could lessen the burden on sales so they can focus their efforts on new business development. Yet, at the same time RXO understands that a human option will always need to be present in the event something goes wrong – the risk is too great. In the business world being 80% to 90% accurate is not an option, so a hybrid approach is a given. 

From a trucking perspective, XPO is planning a bot to provide customers the ability to receive rate quotes, create pick-up requests, and track their freight. Meanwhile, Phlo Systems works with customs declarations and a chatbot to answer frequently asked questions. There are all introductory steps with a heavy, and appropriate, dose of caution.  

 

 

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News, Ocean Ports

Qatar Airways Cargo Launches SecureLift: a solution for Valuable and Vulnerable shipments  

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SecureLift is designed to offer optimum protection and secure storage for high-value and vulnerable shipments.

Qatar Airways Cargo today announced the launch of its special product SecureLift under its VISION 2027 and Next Generation strategy. SecureLift marks a significant milestone for Qatar Airways Cargo, as it allocates dedicated resources to cater to the specialized needs of valuable and vulnerable shipments, while maintaining an enhanced standard of security and vigilance.

Products having high declared value like precious metals, stones, gold bullions, banknotes, jewellery or watches would fall under the Valuable category while commodities that carry a risk of pilferage like high value electronics and newly launched products would fall under the Vulnerable category.

Key features include high loading priority, close monitoring of shipments, inclusion of approved data loggers and shipment escorts, in addition to secure handling, transportation and storage of the product. Valuable shipments would also be moved in specialized containers and boxes for protection of the product, and kept in the strong-room with restricted access providing added security.

The temperature inside the strong-room is maintained between 20°C – 25°C. The expert SecureLift team is well trained and plays a pivotal role by adhering to strict security protocols at every stage of the journey.

The cargo carrier achieved a remarkable track record having transported over 9,000 tons of valuable and vulnerable cargo in 2022, including electronics, banknotes, art shipments and various sensitive commodities. This impressive volume underlines the carrier’s expertise in handling cargo requiring special care with exceptional precision and attention to detail.

The carrier offers its customers an extensive network of more than 150 destinations as part of its scheduled services and can also provide part or full dedicated charters for SecureLift products to destinations not part of its network.

Digitalization is a key pillar for the world’s leading cargo carrier and it enhances the service further as SecureLift shipments can now be easily booked through Qatar Airways Cargo’s innovative online platform, the Digital Lounge, streamlining the booking process for customers.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, News

The Intermodal Association of North America and the Bureau International des Containers Expand Collaboration to North America Geofencing

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The Intermodal Association of North America (IANA) and the Bureau International des Containers (BIC) are extending their collaboration on container facility identification, which began in 2021, to include geofencing. IANA will take the leadership role in collecting and reviewing geofence coordinates for North American intermodal facilities for inclusion in the global BIC Facility Code database and in the IANA Intermodal Facilities Directory.

The BIC Facility Code database is a global database of over 17,000 container facilities and provides a facility name and address, latitude/longitude point and harmonized facility code. As part of the 2021 harmonization exercise, the locations in IANA’s North American Intermodal Facility database were assigned a global BIC Facility Code, and an API synchronization was put in place.

The database is being expanded to include geofences coordinates to help support the industry’s adoption of smart containers. The methodology and recommendations for the project were developed by a global working group assembled by the United Nations Center for Trade Facilitation and Electronic Business (UN/CEFACT) and includes ocean carriers, IoT providers, and software platforms.

The objective is to provide a neutral open library of geofences linked to container handling facilities to ensure that all parties in the supply chain can reference the same geofence for a facility regardless of the provider or platform they may be using, thus improving reliability, interoperability as well as safety and security.

BIC staff will attend IANA’s Intermodal EXPO in Long Beach, September 11-13 to explain the new platform and to assist depot and terminal operators/owners in setting up geofences for their facilities.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily, Ocean Ports

Porto Itapoá Eliminates the Disposal of Garbage to Landfills

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Solution for organic waste prevented more than 13 tons of waste from being diverted to landfills in 2023 alone.

The initiative has already been awarded and generates fertilizer for the local community

Porto Itapoá became a Terminal with “zero landfill” status and is a reference in sustainability. All solid waste generated by the company – which is traditionally sent to sanitary or industrial landfills – is now sent for recycling and co-processing.

The key point is a solution for organic waste: a treatment station that uses the accelerated composting method to turn the material into fertilizer. As a result, more than 13 tons of organic waste were diverted from landfills.

The solution for the Terminal’s organic waste is developed by the company Organa Biotech and is well-recognized by the market. They were the winners of the Supplier Day 2022 Award, promoted by the BMW Group to celebrate initiatives committed to sustainable mobility and social responsibility among its suppliers. The port of Santa Catarina is the only company in the logistics and foreign trade sector to be among the competitors in the sustainability category.

Non-organic solid waste

The other residues are also destined for recycling, having more noble destinations as a by-product for the industry. An example is civil construction waste, such as remains of bricks, cement, and pavers, which are crushed and used by the industry as aggregate for concrete or even for the manufacture of new pavers.

The metallic material is sent to the metal recycler and, later on, to the foundry, gaining a new life in this segment. Contaminated materials are processed and become compost for cement manufacturing. Wood, paper, and cardboard also find a new useful life with appropriate destinations in the industry.

According to Porto Itapoá’s Environment manager, Christiano Berthier, these solutions are in accordance with the company’s guidelines, which makes it a reference in sustainability.

Another important initiative is the Menos Um Lixo campaign, in which the company distributes a retractable and reusable silicone cup to its employees, suppliers, and partners to avoid the use of traditional plastic cups. Thus, in the Terminal alone, the use of around 60,000 units per month is avoided.

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Crafter’s Companion Improves Fulfilment Efficiency by 25% and Reduces Error Rate to Less Than 1% with Descartes Ecommerce Warehouse Solution

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Descartes Systems Group, the global leader in uniting logistics-intensive businesses in commerce, announces that international craft retailer Crafter’s Companion has implemented Descartes’ cloud-based ecommerce warehouse management solution (WMS) to improve the efficiency of its warehouse operations. In addition to realizing higher customer satisfaction as a result of faster order processing, the company’s error rate in fulfilment has dropped significantly by increasing the accuracy of its existing pick and pack process using barcode-based scanning processes.

“At Crafter’s Companion, our customers are at the heart of everything we do and being a dynamic and agile business allows us to deliver solutions that really benefit our customers. With the new solution, we have achieved a 25% increase in fulfilment efficiency with an error rate of less than 1%,” said Mark Allsop, CEO of Crafter’s Companion. Sara Davies, founder and creative director of Crafter’s Companion, added: “We’re thrilled to be working with Descartes and implementing its ecommerce WMS in our global, 54,000 sq ft distribution center is an important milestone for the business. The software is helping us operate to our full potential, as we continue to service our amazing worldwide community of customers.”

Part of Descartes’ ecommerce solution suite, the Descartes ecommerce WMS helps direct-to-consumer brands and ecommerce retailers drive significant efficiencies across order fulfilment processes to provide a remarkable customer experience. The solution helps ensure that retailers can ship on time, ship the right items, not oversell existing inventory, and have full transparency into warehouse operations. The solution is pre-integrated with major ecommerce platforms, such as ChannelAdvisor, Shopify Plus, Brightpearl and others, to accelerate implementation and time to value. Order information is automatically available to be executed via mobile-driven multi-order pick-and-pack strategies and then fed into Descartes and third-party parcel shipment systems.

“We’re proud to enable Crafter’s Companion to pursue its global growth strategy with scalable processes and highly accurate fulfilment operations,” said Dirk Haschke, VP & General Manager, Ecommerce at Descartes. “The company’s focus lies on its customers’ satisfaction and by ensuring efficient intralogistics processes, Descartes’ ecommerce WMS helps to fulfil the promises made.”

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Global Logistics, Global Trade Daily

Experienced Forwarder moves into the Mexican Market

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The very experienced global transport and logistics company LEMAN, founded in Denmark 123 years ago, is now opening in Mexico. The company states that it is primarily to meet a development in the market and to strengthen LEMAN’s opportunities to service customers in North and South America.

When the doors open to LEMAN Mexico on Monday, August 28th, it will be the company’s 37th international office. The office is located in Querétaro.

A large economy with even greater potential

LEMAN states that the extension to Mexico is logical because of the development that Mexico is going through these years:

“Mexico is a hugely interesting country for us as freight forwarders for several reasons. With 130 million inhabitants and therefore consumers, Mexico is a thriving economy and therefore a growing and more important market, and in addition it will strengthen our business in the US, as there are many synergies between the two large countries,” Carlos Alatorre Bautista, CEO, LEMAN Mexico explains.

The new CEO further states that there is great potential, especially due to nearshoring caused by the geopolitical situation and the disruption in the supply chain that has set in recent years. Part of the production of goods is thus expected to move from Asia to e.g. Mexico.

“Mexico is the 11th largest economy in the world, with significant foreign trade and significant growth potential, especially for cross-border trade to and from the US, and Mexico’s foreign trade will benefit from the global trend towards nearshoring,” emphasizes Carlos Alatorre Bautista.

LEMAN covers the world

To manage LEMAN’s activities, LEMAN has hired Carlos Alatorre Bautista, a very experienced country manager with broad experience from the industry. He highlights LEMAN’s broad experience and presence as important strengths in the Mexican market:

“Whether your company imports goods from China, exports goods to Europe, engages in cross-border trade with the US or something else entirely, we are experts because we have done it before with success. As one of our main markets, we have had our own offices in the United States for more than 50 years, and in addition we cover the rest of the world either with our own offices or through agents,” says Carlos Alatorre Bautista and concludes:

“We are strongly represented with offices in many countries in both Europe and Asia, and these solid networks give us an immediate advantage in the Mexican market.”

In the spring, LEMAN presented its best annual result ever and has since announced that the strategy is to invest the profit in even better representation in the core markets of Europe, North America, and Asia.