Swisslog is a leading global provider of automated solutions for warehouses and distribution centres. Its comprehensive services portfolio ranges from the design of materials handling systems, through warehouse construction and system implementation and integration, to comprehensive and dedicated customer support.
Swisslog’s solutions optimise customers’ production, logistics and distribution processes in order to increase flexibility, responsiveness and quality of service. At the same time, it understands the customers’ need to minimise logistics costs in order to remain competitive and to achieve sustainable growth.
Customers worldwide rely on Swisslog’s decades of experience including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, Target and Wal-Mart.
Warehouse & Logistics News – First of all, what does your role involve day to day?
As Head of Sales and Consultancy for Swisslog, my role allows for close contact with customers whilst managing the rest of the sales team to meet our targets!
WLN – 2012: how was it for you?
We’ve had a very successful year, despite tough economic conditions. It’s also been a breakthrough year for some our latest materials handling solutions, possibly because attention has been placed on the type of longer-term cost savings and productivity increases which automation systems bring. Most of our success has come from our existing customer base, although we have expanded our horizons and have completed a number of new projects for major new retailers including a large AutoStore project for Asda.
WLN – What is your particular proposition for customers in the warehouse & logistics sector? Has that changed since last year?
We promote our bespoke warehouse automation systems to provide guaranteed returns and add real value to our customers’ businesses. Our proposition hasn’t changed, our focus is firmly fixed on designing results, delivering confidence and developing value.
WLN – How has your business sector been performing in 2012? What do you see as the most important recent developments?
The industry is very active. We see an increasing number of enquiries with every passing week, and our teams have been busy not only explaining how we can help many organisations, but also showing just how automation can benefit businesses of all sizes. It’s true that there are winners and losers in a recession, but every business wants to improve efficiencies, offer a more accurate responsive service to its customers and reduce costs. We’ve seen a strong movement on the high street towards e-commerce and that trend has continued, but the clicks-and-mortar businesses obviously want to make the greatest efficiencies to allow them greater freedom to operate in the real world as well as online.
WLN – You are a major supplier in the Warehouse Optimisation category, what proportion of your business is this? What else can you offer?
As a business we provide automated materials handling solutions for distribution centers and warehouses. Our customers operate in more than 50 countries around the world and they rely on our decades of experience in planning and implementing integrated logistics solutions. Our overall objective is to increase optimisation, but also to increase response times, add reliability and provide confidence. We also spend a great deal of time consulting on new and existing warehousing installations to see how best to utilise available space and provide on-going support for continuous operation.
WLN – Have you moved into any new areas of activity during 2012? How are they doing?
Obviously we are responding to the market trends, but we have a greater focus on e-commerce as that is a growing sector of the market. Bigger organizations are also still coming to terms with the challenges presented by multichannel logistics. Customers have a wider than ever choice of purchasing channels, whether that be in stores, online, through apps or via inbound calls. With the rise of smartphones and innovations like contact-less payments, some are predicting that in future even more purchases will be made via social media, mobile sites, interactive advertising and even household appliances. Our challenge is to look at how these inputs influence the way our customers do businesses whilst still remaining flexible enough to change as the market demands.
WLN – What was your biggest investment to improve your business in 2012? What else did you do?
Swisslog has invested in its Goods-to-Person stations looking to improve ergonomics and create a better, safer workplace environment. We’ve also enhanced our Warehouse Management software, which forms a crucial part of our business.
WLN – How are your existing products and services doing?
We develop and refine our product offering on a continual basis, and tailor all our solutions to customer requirements. Our presence in the UK market has certainly been bolstered by technological developments in our SmartCarrier and AutoStore solutions. SmartCarrier combines racking, high speed lifts and automated vehicles for tote applications, whilst AutoStore is an intelligent storage and retrieval system for small cases. The business case for both systems is incredibly strong and we are finding a great amount of interest in both, backed up by some prominent installations on the continent, which bodes very well for the future.
WLN – If you had to go through 2012 again, what would you do differently?
Apply for my Olympic tickets earlier to try and secure some seats instead of watching it on the TV!
WLN – Which industry sectors are your customers in? What applications do people use your (products) for? Have you seen a shift in industry sector demand during this time?
Swisslog’s solutions and services are targeted at storage, picking and replenishment for all industries. Historically we have focused on retail and food & beverage, although we have experience throughout a wide range of markets including pharmaceutical, automotive and paper.
WLN – Can you tell us about any of your major projects in the last 12 months, and what they have involved?
One of our biggest projects of 2012 was the start of work on the site at ASDA’s IDC in Lutterworth, the chain’s biggest distribution centre, which currently serves every ASDA supermarket and superstore in the UK. The contract will allow ASDA to better manage its warehouse at peak efficiency, promising the most economical way of storing and retrieving single items and small cases, via our AutoStore system. ASDA sells groceries, clothing, household goods and electronics and AutoStore allows far greater capacity and storage density, with up to 60% more goods stored in the same space as a conventional warehouse.
WLN – Are you making use of social media in your marketing?
Yes, it is still fairly early days for us but we are growing our presence on social media sites. The nature of our work tends to see us work for long periods of time with a select few, so we are perhaps not as well known as perhaps many consumer brands, but we do build strong relationships and of course we are using social media to help raise our profile and connect with our Swisslog teams around the world. Follow us at twitter.com/swissloguk!
WLN – Have you developed your web site in the last 12 months?
We have a constant eye on the internet and are planning a revamp of Swisslog.com in 2013.
WLN – Which trade shows did you exhibit at in 2012? How were they and which shows are you at in 2013?
Within Europe alone we have exhibited at LogiMAT in Germany, Logistica in the Netherlands and Pack+Move in Switzerland. It’s a fairly consistent story around Europe with industry trying to remain upbeat in spite of pretty tricky economic conditions. Obviously our work with many companies is aimed at reducing costs and improving efficiencies, so we are remaining fairly buoyant and optimistic for the future. Next year we look forward to exhibiting at IMHX, the UK’s largest intralogisitics trade fair.
WLN – Can you tell us about your plans for 2013? Where do you see your company going next year?
Expanding into e-commerce, building on our existing work with major retailers but also raising the awareness of the benefits of automation, as we have done in other parts of the world. It’s a very interesting time to be in the business.
AND FINALLY…
WLN?– What’s the most exciting thing about your job?
No two days are the same. It’s also very satisfying to work with people that have a real expertise and specialism both in terms of our own teams and the people we work for. We don’t tend to stop and look back at our achievements very often, but when we do see how much we’ve helped large retailers or manufacturers, as well as the potential out there, and that’s very exciting indeed.
WLN – What are your ambitions for 2013?
To make more effective use of the limited time I have available for family, friends and work colleagues and to spread the automation word!
WLN – What are you personally most looking forward to next year?
It would be great to spend a little more time with my family, although I’m not sure if they think likewise!
WLN – If you won the Jackpot in the EuroMillions what would you do?
I’m tempted to say ‘fast cars, loose women, champagne and the rest I’d waste’ but as I value my marriage (!) and I’m ticking the ‘no publicity’ box (if they have one!) my colleagues will just have to be left wondering where I went to!
Swisslog (UK) Ltd
Tel: 01527 551600
Email: wds.uk@swisslog.com
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