At Barloworld Logistics, sustainability is more than a buzzword. It’s a vibrant, vital reality. It’s a statement about what the world needs and wants right now – to be conscious, consistent and conscientious in everything we do. Earth Hour 2018 is to be commemorated in a few days, highlighting once again the need for every industry, organisation and individual to be mindful of the footprint we leave behind. This year the South African Earth campaign focuses on food, energy and waste urging organisations to examine their relevance in preserving food security, minimising energy usage and limiting the amount of waste that ends in landfill

Setting up a new warehouse seems relatively straightforward. Average stock holding equates to a specific square meterage, perhaps increased to accommodate for peak demand, and a location in proximity to your head office – simple! There is no doubt that this type of matchbox calculation touches on essential aspects of a warehouse such as space and location, but there are many more factors to consider. A fundamental question to ask when considering a new warehouse space is not how much cost can my business save per square meter, but instead, how can our inventory be stored and distributed most efficiently to meet your client expectations and demands.

A TMS (or Transport Management System) is a niche subsection of supply chain management that focuses on the optimisation of transportation. It is a system that creates and enables digital interaction between order management systems and warehouses. This integration facilitates transportation planning, execution and follow-up to enhance efficiency. A 4PL transport management model, as run by Barloworld Logistics, plans and executes distribution from multiple source locations to multiple destinations utilising multiple service providers. Transport planning and management is centralised into a supply chain centre of excellence supported by a robust technology platform managing everything from daily administration to analysing data and providing business intelligence in order to enable an environment of continuous improvement.

Choosing a Freight Forwarder that is right for your business can be a daunting task considering the number of options available in a fairly commoditised industry. When selecting a supplier, you are not only entering into a business agreement, but trusting a partner who can help your business succeed. By understanding your needs and wants through intelligent analysis of the best way to move your goods, Barloworld Logistics is able to provide a customised solution that fits both your financial and delivery needs. Imperative to securing the best solution for your organisation, is the ability to clearly articulate shipping needs, and provide the necessary information to the Freight Forwarder in order for them to create the best solution possible.

Expertise, single control and value creation in your supply chain. There are many benefits to outsourcing your end-to-end supply chain management to a fourth-party logistics provider (4PL).