Today more and more companies are entering new markets to expand their customer profile and source products and services on a global basis. Managing supply chains that span the globe can be complex and risky. When a supplier fails to deliver, it can have a huge impact affecting the supply chain from end to end. This includes incurring higher costs, lost sales and a scarred reputation.

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As supply chains become more complex, companies need a robust IT solution. A new suite of products from Unipart Logistics – one of Europe’s most innovative supply chain specialists – aims to reduce the complexity of global supply chains and help companies control even the most complex situations.

Unipart’s Global Logistics Application Suite (GLAS) combines state-of-the-art business management software with nearly three decades of expertise in managing and improving complex global supply chains. The result is an integrated system that will save money, reduce waste and ultimately deliver better results for your customer.

Companies recognise that the battle for the customer is based on more than just price, and Unipart GLAS provides companies with the ability to deliver the right product, at the right price, on time, every time using a set of tools that have been proven in the most rigorous, demanding business environments.

Using data to control and transform the supply chain

Unipart GLAS transforms data into information that is visible at every level of the supply chain. It highlights the process owners regarding opportunities for improvements, ensuring value add activity and action is taken to uplift the customer experience and gain competitive advantage.

The concept of a ‘control tower’ has become increasingly popular in recent years, but while control towers generally focus on the final delivery to the customer, GLAS is different.

GLAS looks at the total end to end supply chain and how all parts of the supply chain are working together.

This transparency means volumes can be more easily predicted, costs and inventory can be managed more effectively, and the entire supply chain can be more agile to respond quickly to changes in customer demand.

UBS lies at the heart of Unipart GLAS

Unipart recognises that although all supply chains connect through common activity, each organisation operates with unique attributes. It is clearly essential to reflect these in the solution that is created. Working closely with their clients teams, Unipart has captured the step by step process chain, with the respective data points identified to create a design for Unipart GLAS.

When Unipart set out on the journey to create Unipart “GLAS“; it was developed around UBS (Unipart Business System), Unipart’s end-to-end IT platform Satellite applications controlling inventory management, scheduling and forecasting, supplier management, customer stock and management work seamlessly with the core ERP system with real time information exchange.

The overall end-to-end control that GLAS provides helps various functions to get the most of out of the supply chain Ron Swanson, IT and Shared Services Director for Unipart Logistics explains how GLAS came to be; Providing finger-tip control in any sector

Unipart GLAS provides finger-tip control and total visibility of end to end supply chain performance enabling improvements to be implemented more swiftly, based on earlier detection of problems that might previously have remained invisible.

By integrating supply chain functions, Unipart GLAS ensures total alignment of processes, and provides ‘one version of the truth’ that is shared across all geographically dispersed locations. This encourages the sharing of best practice and drives continuous performance improvement.

The principles can apply to any business in any sector, it is merely a case of breaking down the critical areas for delivery of the end product. It could equally be applied to sectors that seem completely unrelated to a logistics operation, such as healthcare patient pathway or banking, to understand the customer journey and experience.

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In the automotive aftermarket, GLAS provides dashboards for five key functions which represent the critical areas that drive world class supply chain performance and customer service: • Forecasting and Scheduling

• Supplier Management

• Packing and Distribution Centre

• Global Supply Chains

• Customer Experience

Each of the critical supply chain functions is presented in a standardised view, with clear graphical presentation of the performance. The dashboards show a breakdown of any areas of concern and the corrective action being taken, by whom and by when. The standardised reporting format also tracks whether the agreed countermeasures are delivering the performance improvements expected.

All data can be represented at a granular level. Clear responsibility can be assigned to team members; helping them to identify the part that they play in achieving the overall customer satisfaction goal.

Empowering all employees in this way contributes directly with high levels of employee engagement.

Engaged and motivated teams are more effective in driving through continuous improvement programmes and are able to think more creatively about innovative approaches to improving customer services levels still further.

Delivering Results

Harnessing the people, process and technology, Unipart GLAS is proven to deliver substantial performance improvements whilst reducing supply chain costs for one of our major customers, world beating customer service was delivered with 34% less inventory even though the number of warehouse doubled from 9 to 18 sites across the globe for better coverage, faster delivery with a consequential increased in customer satisfaction and market share.

Today supply chains are becoming more global and complex, it is absolutely essential that companies understand the single points of failure throughout the supply chain. IT systems must support the business with built in resiliency helps to overcome issues. Unipart GLAS has been fundamental in providing absolute transparency of each key element of the supply chain, which has delivered step changes in supply chain performance for both Unipart’s clients and its own business.

About The Unipart Group

Unipart Logistics is one of Europe’s leading independent logistics companies. It delivers improved performance in customers’ organisations through a culture of engagement and Unipart’s teams are engaged at every level in helping to grow their customers’ businesses, by eliminating waste, solving problems and developing ideas. Unipart believes in building enduring partnerships with customers, founded on an ability to deliver improved levels of productivity and sustained innovation.

The Unipart Group employs more than 7,000 personnel worldwide and has an annual turnover of more than £700million. It is a leading UK manufacturer, full service logistics provider and consultant in operational excellence.

Operating across a range of market sectors, including automotive, leisure, manufacturing, mobile telecoms, rail, retail and technology, Unipart offers a breadth of services from third party logistics to expert consultancy.

All Unipart sites operate according to “The Unipart Way”. This is a philosophy of working underpinned by tools and techniques that inspires efficiency, flexibility and outstanding customer service in any process.

For more information visit:

www.unipartlogistics.com

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