CATERPILLAR WANTED TO GET TRACTION IN THEIR FACILITY, WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
Caterpillar’s rapid business expansion put additional strain on their current facility. This increased the need to utilise their existing space as productively as possible and allow them to focus on very complex assembly processes with limited resources. Expanding their current facility size was not a viable business option.
SOLUTION:
NFS 360 Connect implemented as creative solution that would involve a new approach to their supply chain.
This involved moving the storage of their child parts off site and have us perform the necessary preparation work that allowed us to deliver finished assemblies as needed.
Working in partnership we developed a sub-assembly process that starts with a varied selection of component parts stored at our site and finishes with the inflated wheel, ready to install, delivered direct to their site at times to suit them throughout the day.
We committed to provide the space, the skills, the capital investment and the responsibility for adding value and quality into their production process.
RESULTS:
Caterpillar now benefits from making more productive use from their limited space and being able to focus their attention around the more complex assembly needs that demand their attention. 10 years on, and Caterpillar’s input to the process is now limited to providing the build requirements and receiving the ready to install assemblies.
Consider it sorted.
FG EUROPE ASKED US TO TAKE STOCK OF THEIR UK OPERATION, WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
Although FG Europe are a well-established trading company dating back to 1958, they faced many new challenges as they stepped into the UK market for the first time; not least the need to establish an effective and efficient distribution hub. The scale of the operation combined with the high levels of traceability and logistical flexibility needed provided many logistical challenges.
SOLUTION:
We developed our bar-coded stock control system within a bonded environment to ensure their product could be stored and tracked in the most cost-effective way. Combined with a flexible distribution solution the overall package made for a seamless entry into the UK market.
RESULTS:
Success in this new geographic area depends on many factors; however we are proud to be selected as their preferred logistics partner and to have played a key role in the effective management of this element of their business.
Their UK operation is growing ahead of forecast and the impact that happy, well serviced customer has on this is not underestimated
Consider it sorted.
WHEN CATERPILLAR SENT US PACKING, WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
Where assembly is involved there is an inherent challenge to get the required parts to the required destinations in a safe and cost-effective way.
Our customer, Caterpillar make BIG vehicles and this requires lots of BIG parts! Poorly designed reusable packaging is a problem that does not go away and invariably the end user pays the price, over and over again.
Our initial challenge here was to convince our customer that we could add value and bring a new dimension into this supply chain.
SOLUTION:
Historically the consideration of effective packaging has been a stand-alone exercise, devoid of the involvement of one of the key stakeholders – The logistics partner.
The simplest solution for us would have been to not get involved In specialist areas but with us that is not the way we do things.
After an in-depth analysis of the sector we presented our ‘Cradle to Grave’ solution, which offered notable opportunities for all parties.
RESULTS:
Upon presenting our findings it was agreed that considerable savings in both cost and delivery lead time coupled with the safe transportation of the goods made this a viable solution that culminated in an order for a significant volume of bespoke stillages.
Consider it sorted.
KP SNACKS ASKED IF WE COULD DELIVER, WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
Over 5 years ago KP, the UK’s second largest snacks manufacturer, approached us to develop a freight solution for their business.
Starting life as Kenyon Produce (KP) back in the nineteenth century, they operate out of six manufacturing sites across the country. They require ‘Over and above’ support within a service package that provides national coverage and high levels of flexibility linked to multiple daily deliveries.
SOLUTION:
The key to the solution put forward was flexibility. Over our 5-year partnership the requirements have evolved and our solutions to these have changed and will continue to change in this highly volatile environment.
RESULTS:
Over the past 5 years we have repeatedly gone ‘Over and Above’ and we are now in the enviable position of KP telling us what they need and leaving us to come up with the most cost effective solutions for them.
Consider it sorted.
VANTEC ASKED FOR A QUALITY SERVICE,WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
All of our clients expect the highest possible levels of quality from us, in particular our automotive centred clients.
The high standards set by the automotive industries sometimes mean that components held in stock no longer meet the latest regulations and this means recovery actions have an important role to play.
Regulation changes outside of our direct involvement meant that Vantec parts held in stock at our warehousing facility were not fit for purpose. Remedial work to return them to a useable condition was required; however, the cost to return them to source for the modifications was prohibitive.
SOLUTION:
Working directly with Vantec, the affected parts and locations were identified and taken to quarantine.
Standard operating procedures were used to establish the process for reworking the parts and once repaired the parts were once again made available for future use.
RESULTS:
Without any disruption to the supplier or the end user, a significant batch of pressed parts was taken from unusable, to ready for production in the quickest and most cost-effective way.
Taking a creative approach to the solution at hand our integral position within the supply chain helped us to develop the best possible result.
Consider it sorted.
WHEN MICHELIN WANTED TO TREAD CAREFULLY, WE SAID
CONSIDER IT SORTED
CASE STUDY
CHALLENGE:
Making high profile, safety critical parts requires high levels of quality control. NFS 360 Connect store and handle high volumes of Michelin tyres. The need for ever increasing levels of quality conformance brings the need for another level of scrutiny to help guarantee the end user gets the product they need 100% of the time.
As specifications tightened, the potential for minor superficial defects was identified; however the precise cause of the damage could not be established.
SOLUTION:
Working with the various stakeholders we were able to introduce a temporary 100% inspection process at various points within the supply chain to identify the cause of any defects, however minor.
RESULTS:
The results of the inspection process were used to identify the root cause of the problem and introduce effective countermeasures to rectify this. Quality expectations continue to be met and disruption is kept to a minimum.
Consider it sorted.