As Delamode International Logistics moves into Q2-23, we build upon our previous coverage of this business undergoing transformation, to look at the rest of the year ahead; ‘Project BeYond’, is Delamode’s current venture designed to enhance core operational systems and efficiency.
In July 2021 Delamode commenced the new systems journey, by selecting a best of breed warehouse management system (WMS). Partnering with Socius24, an experienced systems integrator for BlueYonder Dispatcher (previously JDA / Red Prairie), WMS software selected for the digital era, ahead.
Mike Thomas, Delamode’s Client Services Director, fielded our questions:
What will be the main benefits of the new system?
Moving from a legacy system to the new WMS will enable granular data capture and improved information flow. We are all aware how increasingly important data is to business decision making, for all vested parties, and our new system is designed for this purpose.
We will use the data over time, to improve order flow, labour, and equipment efficiency.
The latter will be evident as we assess activities where automation will bring tangible benefits.
At the core of Delamode, are our people. As a team, we recognise skills are evolving in the 3PL space and we are all getting set to embrace cost-effective technology, in the new world of logistics. Delamode is therefore investing to ultimately improve service offering and contain the supply chain costs which we manage, on behalf of our clients.
This really all stems from core data, and by actually logging every transaction, every move through the warehouse time and resource-wise, we can, deploy, monitor and adapt operations dynamically, to meet changing patterns of demand created by the seasonal activity of our multi-client facilities.
Also providing a secure and modern interface with our clients’, suppliers’ and end-customers’ systems, we can flex swiftly and deliver logistics and freight management services via our customs bonded facilities, in a more pro-active manner.
In context, we have relied on legacy systems, at the core of operations for decades.
Through this period the original configurations have served us exceptionally well however, we also realised interconnectivity of that system and its ability to scale up, would not underpin Delamode’s ambition to be the Go-To 3PL for SME’s on a growth path and looking for a trusted logistics & freight management partner, to serve their supply chain needs across the UK, Eire and Continental Europe.
To ensure Delamode continues to provide leading logistical support, from source to end-customer, we recognised the need for our new systems platform to link our great warehouse facilities to improve physical product flow. These new tools in the hands of the Delamode team are a formidable force and our investments are strengthening the supply chain management we offer. The idea is Delamode takes care of logistics, while our clients continue to design, manufacture, market and sell their products. The latter meant new systems investments to manage evolving retail logistics demands, in terms of supporting interconnectivity with now mainstream ecommerce platforms and new carrier systems.
Just keeping pace with that whole move of API interconnectivity is a tremendous undertaking, so that was obviously a key driver. In addition, we already mentioned the ability to capture and use data dynamically for decision making will help manage volatility in supply chains, which we have all experienced, particularly over the last few years. We are also creating more robust and secure systems in the Cloud, to help put Delamode in the forefront of logistics partners to entrust.
How about the extension to the Southampton distribution centre, which came online in 2021?
Yes, the new wing of the building has helped us with significant increases in our clients’ storage demands post pandemic and the new VNA trucks and systems are improving flow through, as envisaged. Again, Project BeYond with systems development, will allow us to move to full double FLT cycling within the VNA warehouse operation, which is also capable of adapting to driverless operations, in the next two years.
The Delamode stand trailer operation, is also assisting order flow during peak seasonal periods, providing buffer flex for distribution activities into the market place, with our ability to meet delivery slots at the Majors, Multiples and Indi Customers, consistently.
Our Southampton quayside DC and its unique juxtaposition with the container port, continues to be our ace. The locational advantage has also provided the rationale to broaden Delamode’s market appeal, with container devanning and direct ‘Ship to store’ operations. Successful campaigns for seasonal injections and time sensitive launches which may involve pre-retail work VAS, is part of the service offering which includes cross-docking and drop-shipping from this unrivalled 65,000 pallet 24 door distribution facility, which is situated just 200m from the quay where the largest container ships plying from the FE and US call at Southampton.
Our post-Brexit European services and Southampton to Roosendaal Shuttle operation continues to grow, as clients adopt Delamode’s 3PL offering in Roosendaal with EDCR and expansion continues in Roosendaal, which is Delamode’s chosen Continental European logistics hub.
At the Delamode Braintree site, from an e-commerce perspective, we have now consolidated fashion logistics into this operation. The Project BeYond plan will also encompass this fulfilment centre, to ensure we operate on one platform, linking Southampton, Roosendaal and Braintree, in the program ahead.
This investment and other future developments are paving the way for Delamode International Logistics to meet challenges encountered in the new world of supply chain logistics and continue to deliver great service, efficiently, for our clients into the future.
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