Logistics evolution on the move

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"E-commerce entrepreneurs require a logistics partner that understands this new dimension of logistics and can provide end-to-end services," says Detlev Duve, Managing Director of Dachser South Africa. With the right logistics partner, retailers can reap the business benefits of improved communication, transparency into the supply chain, improved customer satisfaction, cost reduction and efficiency improvements. "The logistics partner employees act as a local extension of your business, from procurement to distribution."

From the moment an online order is placed to the when it is picked, packed and shipped, every step in the process must be handled efficiently, consistently, and cost-effectively. "Evolved logistics partners provide solid warehousing infrastructure and value-added services that enable e-commerce businesses to outsource this entire process. This saves costs as businesses avoid the needless inventory management and complex handling that is outside their core competence."

When looking at a logistics partner, Duve advises businesses to ensure that the provider can deliver tailor-made solutions that fit their unique needs and requirements. He added, "In the world of e-commerce, same day or next day delivery is a necessity, so ensure they are capable of this, with a proven track record."

Value-added services are essential to an end-to-end fulfilment services. "Value-added services include the quality control of goods at the time of pickup at the supplier's warehouse, product finishing tasks, sleeving (foliation) or re-packaging into new cartons. Evolved logistics companies can perform all necessary tasks."

Depending on the industry and the scope of the project, the following project-oriented and process-oriented value-added services are used,

Product-oriented value-added services:

• Quality control
  
• Product refinement
  
• Assembly/disassembly work
  
• Packaging/repackaging

Process-oriented value-added services:

• Order management
  
• Labelling/price marking
  
• Processing of returns or complaints
  
• Sleeving

Detlev Duve, Managing Director of Dachser South Africa

Through the launch of their new warehousing capability, inventory technology and transportation, Dachser South Africa has become one of the few logistics companies in South Africa that can deliver the value-added services required to enable companies to outsource the order fulfilment process in all phases of the supply chain.

"We've taken our full logistics centre up a notch. As a logistics partner, we can effectively use our warehousing capacities to the fullest through flexible consolidation of multiple customers' goods in our multi-user warehouses. With a customized warehouse and process design, that takes picking techniques and disbursement strategies into consideration, we create a maximum degree of profitability for each of our partners. The results are evident in cost and time savings that customers experience."

"E-commerce is driving changes in customer needs and changes in the industry, Dachser has always innovated according to clients' needs. As a global logistics service provider Dachser ASL with offices in 38 countries are geared up to make your business happen. We hope to inspire clients to grow and venture into new projects that previously would have been too costly," he says.