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New Research from FourKites and Reuters Highlights Massive Challenges Facing European Supply Chains
Lack of end-to-end traceability and digitization are the biggest barriers to efficiency and agility in the face of ongoing supply chain disruption
To better understand the state of European supply chains, FourKites, the #1 real-time supply chain visibility platform, partnered with Reuters Events to survey over 450 supply chain leaders across the continent, with particular emphasis on the United Kingdom, Germany and the Netherlands. The responses represent a broad perspective of the concerns and challenges surrounding European supply chains, sustainability and the role of real-time visibility in streamlining operations.
Coming in the midst of ongoing disruptions caused by COVID-19, State of the European Supply Chain: Logistics, Sustainability and Visibility Report 2022 reveals that the demand shock, labor shortages, port disruptions and capacity constraints have accelerated the adoption of supply chain visibility solutions throughout Europe. However, while many companies have adopted new digital practices, more than 60% of European companies admitted they’re slow to react to changing trends in logistics technologies, according to the report.
Key findings include:
●Over half of all respondents are currently using supply chain visibility solutions, but one-third (33%) are having trouble improving data-driven processes such as forecasting, receiving operations and labor.
●The majority of respondents (67%) cited end-to-end freight traceability as their biggest pain point when transporting goods.
●More than half of respondents (63%) cited carriers providing inaccurate ETAs as a persistent problem.
“If we have visibility, we can be efficient and flexible," said Ferenc Polgar, Global Distribution Operational Excellence Lead at Bayer. "We can communicate delays to our customers so they can adjust their operations and improve their experience. We can be more effective during peak distribution periods to make sure plans are going accordingly.”
“Being able to see your goods in transit is one piece of the puzzle, but it doesn’t help navigate the many disruptions and delays that inevitably take place once the product leaves the ship or warehouse,” said Matt Elenjickal, founder and CEO of FourKites. “For that reason, the paradigm is shifting to full end-to-end supply chain visibility, wherein the goal is total predictive visibility across the entire supply chain, enabling proactive risk management vs. reactive problem-solving.”
Pain points vary between the UK, Germany and the Netherlands
Looking at their three biggest pain points in transporting goods, respondents from the UK, Germany and the Netherlands had surprisingly different answers:
●The UK was relatively balanced, with 71% of respondents citing end-to-end freight traceability, carrier relationships, and dwell times as their biggest pain points.
●In the Netherlands, 75% of retailers and manufacturers said their biggest pain point was carrier relationships.
●In Germany, 100% of respondents were struggling with ensuring end-to-end freight traceability.
Overall, respondents indicated supply chain visibility improved their planning and inventory management (60%), customer service (56%) and increased efficiency (38%). In the Netherlands, 40% saw an improvement to customer service whereas in Germany that number was even higher at 100%. Meanwhile, in the UK 63% said that improved planning and inventory management is the primary benefit of visibility.
Even the most commonly used mode of transportation also varied widely across the continent: 63% of UK respondents cited full truckload as their key mode of freight, while 80% of Netherlands respondents are using less than truckload, and 100% of German respondents are transporting freight by air, both domestically and internationally.
Sustainability is a priority, but not without challenges
The survey illustrates that sustainability is top of mind for today’s supply chain leaders. Over 80% indicated that they were either holding steady (44%) or increasing (40%) their commitment to sustainability, emphasizing the urgency with which businesses understand they are required to act.
The two key supply chain sustainability goals articulated by respondents were the reduction of carbon emissions in transportation (39%) and manufacturing (31%), as well as the reduction of non-renewable packaging materials (31%). However, over a quarter of respondents also reported mapping sustainability impact throughout their supply chain as a challenge to modernizing transportation assets.
"We use supply chain visibility data to understand better where there's waste within the supply chain. Where do we have excessive empty miles?" said Paul Avampato, Head of International Logistics at Henkel. "We believe by reducing dwell time that we can keep the network moving smoother. The more we reduce dwell time, the less trucks that you have to put on the road."
Read the full report here.
FourKites is the #1 supply chain visibility platform in the world, extending visibility beyond transportation into yards, warehouses, stores and beyond. Tracking more than 2 million shipments daily across road, rail, ocean, air, parcel and courier, and reaching 176 countries, FourKites combines real-time data and powerful machine learning to help companies digitize their end-to-end supply chains. More than 750 of the world’s most recognized brands — including 9 of the top-10 CPG and 18 of the top-20 food and beverage companies — trust FourKites to transform their business and create more agile, efficient and sustainable supply chains. To learn more, visit https://www.fourkites.com/.
GEODIS, a leading global logistics provider, today announced plans to hire 3,700 seasonal workers across its campuses in the U.S. and Canada to help manage the expected rise in volumes during peak season. This hiring initiative will bolster the company’s operational capacities in its warehouses and distribution centers in preparation for the holiday season, a time when consumer demand surges.
Emarketer noted U.S. holiday sales in 2023 increased 3.9% year-over-year as consumer spending grew even amidst uncertain economic times, and a similar pattern is projected for this year. Emarketer expects a substantial 4.8% increase in holiday retail sales for 2024, signifying continued growth despite factors such as inflation and consumer price sensitivity. In anticipation of this demand, GEODIS is seeking seasonal employees to join its nearly 17,000 teammates who power its operations across North America.
GEODIS is recruiting material handlers and equipment operators across 13 regions in the U.S. and Canada this peak season. The company offers competitive wages, peak premium pay incentives, peak and referral bonuses, and an expedited payment option that allows workers to receive up to 50% of their paycheck before payday through an on-demand program. Additionally, GEODIS provides flexible schedules with weekend opportunities and multiple shift options daily, allowing teammates to choose times that best suit their lives. Both part-time (under 30 hours a week) and full-time (over 30 hours a week) seasonal positions are available. Prospective teammates can also use GEODIS’ virtual recruiting assistant, Sophie, to find the right role, easily navigate the application process and receive fast answers to questions before being connected to a recruiter for next steps.
“We acknowledge the immense responsibility we have to our customers to deliver exceptional service every day, and this is especially true during peak season,” said Anthony Jordan, GEODIS in Americas Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer. “Because peak season is the most business-critical sales period of the year for many of our retail clients, expanding our workforce is vital to ensure we have a flexible, dynamic team that can handle anticipated surges in demand.”
GEODIS’ culture puts teammates at the forefront by offering opportunities for employees to provide feedback and suggestions through surveys, personal check-ins and group meetings. The company also prioritizes teammate safety and ensures optimal work conditions in modern facilities with state-of-the-art technology. GEODIS invests in its teammates with paid safety-focused training, allowing them to gain hands-on experience so they can feel confident from day one of employment.
“GEODIS is committed to creating a diverse and supportive work environment where employee well-being is our top priority,” said Jordan. “Whether looking for extra income during the holidays or wanting to explore a long-term path at GEODIS, our teammates have the opportunity to make a difference and receive the training and support they need to move their careers forward.”
For more information on GEODIS’ seasonal positions, visit www.WorkAtGEODIS.com.
GEODIS – www.geodis.com
GEODIS is a leading global logistics provider acknowledged for its expertise across all aspects of the supply chain. As a growth partner to its clients, GEODIS specializes in four lines of business: Global Freight Forwarding, Global Contract Logistics, Distribution & Express Transport, and European Road Network. With a global network spanning nearly 170 countries and 53,000 employees, GEODIS is ranked no. 5 in its sector across the world. In 2023, GEODIS generated €11.6 billion in revenue. GEODIS is a company owned by SNCF group.
Nulogy, a leading provider of supply chain collaboration solutions, is hosting a session during the Association of Supply Chain Management's ASCM Connect 2024. Nulogy, Kinaxis and Colgate-Palmolive executives will present “Orchestrating Digital Transformation: Nulogy & Kinaxis Empower Colgate-Palmolive’s External Network” on Monday, 9/9/2024, 3:45 - 4:45 p.m. CT in Ballroom E, Level 4.
In an era when digital transformation is paramount for sustainable growth, Colgate-Palmolive stands out as a leader in the consumer packaged goods space. With a strong digital transformation vision and strategic partners that tout the technical capabilities and expertise to bring it to life, Colgate and its extended supply network has been able to reap the benefits of digitally-infused agility, resilience and efficiency to outcompete in today’s marketplace.
The session will cover Colgate-Palmolive’s vision for transforming its supply chain planning and execution, highlighting the imperative to enhance supply chain synchronization and collaboration.
Nulogy and Kinaxis join Colgate-Palmolive in this talk to discuss how their best-of-breed solutions in advanced planning and scheduling and supplier collaboration have played pivotal roles in interconnecting Colgate’s network.
Speakers include:
Moderator: Christine Barnhart, CPIM Chief Marketing and Industry Officer, Nuology
Panelist: Kevin Wong Chief Operating Officer, Nulogy
Panelist: Polly Mitchell-Guthrie Supply Chain Thought Leader, Kinaxis
Panelist: German Vizcaya Leon VP Global Planning, Colgate-Palmolive
Check out the complete Colgate-Palmolive case study by visiting https://bit.ly/3z6xwPK.
Austin, TX - (September 3, 2024) – AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, announces the company is sponsoring a webinar hosted by DC Velocity magazine to discuss PepsiCo/FLNA’s (Frito Lay North America) warehouse transformation using AutoScheduler.AI’s AutoPilot.
Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI, and Peter Hanna, a leader at PepsiCo, will share how AutoPilot is revolutionizing operations at PepsiCo/FLNA. Faced with rising demand, shrinking margins, and complex operations, PepsiCo turned to AutoScheduler.AI’s cloud-based AutoPilot platform to optimize warehouse operations and improve efficiency, including a 30% increase in product picks per hour.
“PepsiCo has been focused on driving value for customers through innovative supply chain processes that improve fulfillment times, reduce operating costs, and maximize productivity,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “Our AI algorithms can prioritize customer orders based on predefined rules and criteria while considering warehouse constraints, which helps to improve customer satisfaction and overall profitability.”
At the free webinar on September 12, 2024, at 2:00 PM ET, attendees will:
•Learn how AutoPilot unifies data across systems for better visibility.
•Discover how advanced algorithms maximize productivity and minimize costs.
•See how AutoPilot provides comprehensive, real-time insights for informed decision-making.
•Hear about the impressive gains at PepsiCo/FLNA, including a 30% increase in picks per hour.
AutoScheduler.AI AutoPilot smooths warehouse operations by orchestrating and planning all activities in real-time on top of an existing WMS. It considers space, time, labor, dock doors, and more constraints to ensure that orders are fulfilled on time and in full. Clients gain efficiencies and value in their supply chains through optimized labor, schedules, touches, and inventory.
To register for the free webinar, visit: https://event.on24.com/wcc/r/4676523/A2108DE2BC89DF1C73F2FCB1C1A5863F?partnerref=auto
About AutoScheduler.AI AutoScheduler.AI orchestrates warehouse activities directly on top of your WMS, optimizing operations for peak performance. Developed alongside industry leaders like P&G and successfully deployed at prominent companies such as Pepsi, General Mills, and Unilever, our AI and Machine Learning platform seamlessly integrates with your existing systems. Focused on labor planning, inventory workflow, human-robotics interaction, and space utilization, we streamline operations, reducing travel and inventory handling while maximizing OTIF rates and labor efficiency. With prescriptive analytics driving insights, our clients harness the power to enhance efficiencies and generate value across their supply chains. Reach out to us at info@autoscheduler.ai for more information.
GreyOrange Inc., a leader in AI-driven fulfillment automation, was recently recognized as a Sample Vendor in the 2024 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones report. GreyOrange views its inclusion in four categories – Multiagent Orchestration (MAO), Mobile Sortation Robots, Smart Robots, and Mobile Robotic Goods-to-Person Systems – as confirmation of the company’s role in driving innovation and efficiency within the rapidly evolving robotics landscape. The report focuses on practical applications of mobile robots and drones, leaving detailed technological aspects to other Hype Cycle reports.
The 2023 Gartner Supply Chain Technology User Wants and Needs Survey found continued strong interest in, and deployments of, robotics and automation, with 92% of the respondents saying they were investing, or planned to invest, in robotics over the next two years. GreyOrange believes the 2024 Gartner® Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones report highlights the critical role of mobile robots in transforming supply chain operations and addressing the challenges posed by labor shortages and increasing order volumes.
According to the report, “Demand for, and investment in, mobile robots and drones is robust and will remain so for the foreseeable future.” The report also details, “As companies deploy heterogeneous fleets of robots, integrating and coordinating tasks between these robots becomes more difficult, which will require an orchestration capability across robot platforms. This will introduce the need for an additional software layer to support these activities.”
This year, GreyOrange introduced two new intralogistics and case pick robot solutions - the Ranger Forklift XXL for case picking and the Ranger Forklift AnyPallet for closed pallet handling - to its Certified Ranger NetworkTM (CRN) ecosystem in response to labor and order volume needs. During MODEX this year, GreyOrange also welcomed partner solution Cypher Robotics’ CAPTIS, an autonomous cycle counting solution, to the CRN.
The CRN solutions are powered by GreyMatter, GreyOrange’s warehouse execution systems (WES) platform that enables real-time, multiagent orchestration among various robotic technologies, people and automation systems. Leveraging GreyMatter, customers can reduce fulfillment cost per unit (CPU) by 50%, decrease worker onboarding time by 90%, and improve peak season performance. These innovations further demonstrate the company’s innovation of robotics solutions for the evolving warehouse landscape.
“We are honored to be recognized by Gartner, as it is great to see some of the categories like Multiagent orchestration coming to life as we define the next generation roadmap for them,” said Akash Gupta, Co-Founder and CEO of GreyOrange. “We strive to continually advance fulfillment automation to meet and exceed the needs of our customers in an ever-changing and demanding market where supply chain optimization and execution are of top importance.”
GreyOrange’s fulfillment solutions help customers meet the growing demands for faster deliveries, reduce operational costs and tackle labor challenges. By leveraging advanced robotics and AI, GreyOrange's fulfillment solutions are designed to significantly improve operational efficiencies, adaptability, and actionable visibility in today's digital marketplace.
Download the Hype Cycle™ for Mobile Robots and Drones 2024 report, compliments of GreyOrange by visiting https://bit.ly/4cKZCh4.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE – MELBOURNE, FL, AUGUST 27, 2024 — Element Logic Co-founder, Dag-Adler Blakseth, passes the baton to Ankush Malhotra effective immediately.
Ankush Malhotra will be the new Group CEO of the technology and automation company Element Logic. He is taking over from Dag-Adler Blakseth, who co-founded the company nearly 40 years ago, and who is stepping down from the day-to-day operations after 30 years at the helm.
"Ankush Malhotra is the right person to lead the company forward in what will be a significant global endeavor," Dag-Adler Blakseth, former Group CEO of Element Logic, said.
"I am truly honored to take on this role and look forward to join this great company with a rich legacy,” Ankush Malhotra, said. “Element Logic has undertaken an impressive growth journey and has great ambitions for the next chapter. I am excited to join a passionate team and am committed to create value for our customers and help the business move forward in the years.”
Malhotra is based out of London and brings relevant experience from his 18 years at Danaher/Fortive/Fluke. He has held various positions in the US and in the UK, with the last four years as President of Fluke Reliability, an innovation leader in the markets it serves.
"With the global expansion the company is now aiming for, it is a natural time to pass the baton. Ankush Malhotra is an ambitious and internationally experienced leader who understands what it takes to succeed as a global company,” Blackseth added. “His leadership style and principles align well with what Element Logic stands for and aspires to be. His vast knowledge in managing a complex growth company in a global market, make him an ideal candidate for the next part of our journey.”
Blackseth will now step into the role as Chairman of the Board.
Ambitious growth plans ahead
In recent years, Element Logic has expanded significantly, extending its distribution to new markets. During the past three years, the company has gained presence in seven additional countries, reached two new continents, and increased its employees by over 700 people worldwide. Now, the goal is to continue capturing additional market shares, and become the leading global integrator for automated warehouse solutions.
"Element Logic’s next chapter is an exciting one. We have ambitious goals to increase our market share across the globe through international expansion, and an increased product and services offering.” Malhotra concluded. “Together with the talented team at Element Logic, I will use my experience and knowledge to serve our customers and drive profitable growth while continuing to foster an employee-focused culture.”