With a backdrop of seasonal demand peaks and Brexit stockpiling uncertainty, it has never been more important for companies to maximise the efficiency of their warehouse space – and it is in combined storage agreements that the future lies.

A culture of sharing resources across the logistics industry is helping to drive economies of scale, to promote sustainability, and have a positive impact on the bottom line. The challenge, however, is to identify efficiencies and maximise value in these processes – making assets, both owned and shared, work as hard as possible.

Whilst 3PLs (third party logistic providers) have been offering collaborative space in sites for some time, the process has been mostly manual and reliant on relationships with providers and points of contact rather than an effective desire to maximise the storage potential available.

Wincanton, however, offers a simple online virtual collaborative platform – oneVASTwarehouse.com – to streamline this process further and take collaboration within the wider industry to the next level. Users can simply search for available storage space across the UK, arrange transportation to and from the site, and additional 3PL services (‘such as pick and pack’) all under the management of a single company.

The effectiveness of a platform like this comes through connecting a complete storage, collection and delivery service; as well as other areas such as Receipt, Handling & Dispatch (RH+D), case picking, outside storage, parking, cross-docking and off-quay storage.

When you assess the many storage considerations facing companies – range, location and size of the space, lease duration, flexibility to meet peaks and troughs in demand, commercial terms, transport links, on-site staff, and whether a collaborative multi-user facility – it is clear why maximising efficiency and having an easier way to manage it is so vital.

This truly is an industry-wide issue, as continuous change and shifts in buying behaviour across a number of industries, from manufacturing to retail, mean a modern supply chain requires flexibility more than ever before.

As the UK production and trading landscape changes on both a domestic and international level, optimised storage and transfer of materials and goods will be a valuable component to the ongoing success of many businesses. It will therefore be crucial for the logistics sector to work together like never before and create a collaborative culture for the benefit of all involved.

Wincanton

w: www.onevastwarehouse.com

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