New warehouse solutions could help tighten up supply chain

With the closure of a number of leading high street shops over the past few weeks, the need to cut operating costs within the retail sector has become ever more apparent. Large online retailers such as Amazon appear to be driving other businesses out of the market due to superior logistics which enable them to offer items to consumers at discounted prices, therefore gaining a stronghold over a number of markets. In response, companies are looking for new ways to reduce their own storage and supply chain overheads in order to keep up with an increasing demand for the efficient transport of materials and delivery of goods. This could well have a significant impact on logistics recruitment across the UK, with employers looking for recruits who are able to think outside the box and deliver innovative solutions that can enable a company to get ahead of the competition. A number of names have now been added to the line-up at the IMHX Logistics Case Study Conference, which takes at the Birmingham NEC from March 19th-22nd, where some of the UK's leading businesses will showcase their supply chain solutions. Among the exhibitors recently confirmed for the event is Yeo Valley, which will provide details of the Warehouse Insight model, created by Harland Simon, which has enabled it to significantly improve the efficiency of its warehouse operations. Warehouse Insight is based around a GPS system which tracks the movements of every piece of equipment around the facility to within a few centimetres, while also keeping tabs on every crate being moved. Martin Morris, supply chain manager at Yeo Valley, says the system was adopted in an attempt to "reduce our costs and improve performance", adding that the Warehouse Insight programme is likely to be a "game-changer" within the entire supply chain sector. According to Harland Simon, Yeo Valley has already made significant savings as a result of the scheme and should see a return on their investment within two years. At the same time, a number of retailers including Matalan and Asda could be set to benefit after Advanced Supply Chain, which provides their logistics services, announced plans to open a brand new 1.2 million sq ft warehouse in China, therefore providing British businesses access to one of the world's largest economies and manufacturing powerhouses. Looking for logistics jobs? At Cast UK our team of expert consultants can help you find your ideal role.