14° Logistics set new standards when building their distribution centre in Port Melbourne, Australia as part of their growth plans.

Doug and Darren Rathbone of 14° Logistics found a business partner in D. Betts Pty Ltd when it came to commissioning the design and implementation of their new national wine distribution centre.  The team at D. Betts played a strategic and tactical role in getting the job done from planning through to execution and continuous improvement. The outcome – improved internal and external customer confidence in the service and instilled an operation that now boasts global best practice.

“They made improvements from the day they arrived.”

Doug Rathbone, Chairman

The Challenge – a global best practice warehouse operation within 90 days

Timelines were of the essence with only 90 days to deliver warehouse optimisation and contract implementation services to achieve operational stability and customer confidence in service. Beyond the day to day implementation support, some of the specific challenges included;

  • ­ Repairing & stabilising of Inventory Record Accuracy (IRA) affecting fulfillment outcomes
  • Implement RF systems changeover & WMS optimisation strategy across the business
  • Re-design pick path & storage location logic for optimum utilization & productivity
  • Leading & executing a rapid high density stock take process within 10 days
  • Review & recommend appropriate fleet performance improvement plan
  • Review & determine appropriate sub contractor transport rates, fleet configuration, utilisation & performance
  • Build & install industry metrics & reporting dashboard
  • Mentoring staff in their roles on operational best practice and recruitment of an effective Logistics Manager to begin hand-over within 60 days

 

The Outcome – Operational excellence and customer confidence

The entire project was scoped and executed end-to-end using recognised change & risk management best practise and within the timelines to achieve safety, service and financial goals.

“We really enjoyed the everyday working relationship”

Darren Rathbone Director, 14°Logistics

The 90 day challenge resulted in;

  • ­ Customised cycle counting plan designed relative to inventory profile & transactional risk
  • Inventory Record Accuracy (IRA) now supporting a 98.6% order fulfillment result
  • Safety map based OH&S compliance plans & disciplines installed
  • Position descriptions developed, planning disciplines established, recruitment of Logistics Manager
  • WMS functional specifications modified & operational disciplines aligned enabling WMS & RF benefits realisation
  • Cross aisle pick path and storage location addresses configured for optimum productivity & utilisation
  • 10,500 Deep store locations counted 10 days rather than the standard 25 days
  • Fleet on-time delivery performance at 99.75%
  • Transport & MHE fleet reviewed with reverse logistics opportunity identified & developed
  • KPI dashboard designed & implemented supporting performance transparency

 

Call us today to set new standards in your supply chain & logistics operations.
D. Betts is a consultancy business that was formed with the ethos of combining strategic thinking with tactical excellence and getting things done through continuous improvement.
Whether you are a manufacturer, wholesaler, logistics provider or retailer, our team of full time consultants has expertise working in a vast array of industries – providing solutions that include supply chain design, implementation, optimisation and performance improvement.