DistriSort was founded in 2003 to help companies with their logistic automation requirements. With a specialization in Sorting Solutions we have helped numerous companies in Europe to automate their logistical processes bringing in automated sorters and peripheral equipment. From companies processing post & parcels, books, garments, pharmaceuticals, and in recent years more and more e-commerce businesses. We work together with our customers to find the right solution for them. We can make a quick analysis of the current situation in your warehouse in order to determine the best and most efficient sorter application in your total logistical concept.
Managing Director at DistriSort
With in-house developed software and control-systems we can provide a total solution for you. Our teams are quick to respond and stand for the high quality of our products and solutions. We are your partner in Sorting Solutions.
Edwin van Kempen, Managing Director of DistriSort Projects BV spoke to Warehouse & Logistics News.
What products or services does your company offer?
DistriSort offers turn-key solutions of automated unit sortation systems. At the centre of our solutions there is always a EuroSort sorter. That can be a Split Tray Sorter (aka Bombay sorter), Push Tray Sorter or Cross Tray Sorter. Next to that we are able to supply and integrate all the peripherals that go along with the sorter (Conveyors, printers, carton closers, etc.)
Which industries do your customers operate in?
The customers that DistriSort serves generally operate in the following industries: Fashion, Consumer Goods, Media Distribution, Post+Parcel, Pharmacy.
Do you have any examples of a project you have recently completed?
German Fashion Retailer (s.Oliver)
Nordics Postal Company (PostNord).
How did the Covid-19 outbreak and subsequent lockdown affect your business?
Our business is affected both positively and negatively. Large retailers found themselves scrambling when shops were forced to close and they had to move online or risk losing business. This shift in operation requires different processes in a warehouse and different equipment. Some were prepared as they were already making the shift, but others not. For customers with sorters from us with only a retail function, we upgraded these sorters to be able to process e-commerce orders as well.
On the other hand we see that there is a huge increase in the number of packages that are being shipped because of Covid. There are quite a few companies that have issues processing this increased volume. Some of our customers have described their situation as a year round Christmas period when it comes to the volumes they are currently processing.
And for ourselves we notice that is has become increasingly difficult to travel to our customers sites. Most meetings are taking place virtually these days and meeting new customers on trade shows will likely not happen until well into 2021. Luckily our skilled teams are still able to do onsite installations and commissioning to our customers, but we do have to take the whole outbreak into consideration for the safety of our customers and employees alike.
Did Covid-19 have a negative impact or did the increase in online shopping actually result in a boost to your business?
Some of our customers that had a strong offline presence are really struggling today, but some of them are also thriving with their online business. In general I would say there is an increase in the demand for unit sortation as online shopping often means more orders with fewer items. This is then concurrently reflected in the parcel and package sortation as there are generally more of those going through the system and they also need sorting.
Going forward, will the industry be permanently changed as a result of Covid-19 or will it return to how it was pre-Covid?
The industry will certainly change. Research is already showing that if we were to return to ‘normal’ today there is an increased demand for online vs offline. That means that the business model of companies will change and therefore also the way they need to handle their warehouse operations. Having the right sorting solution in place, such as hybrid sorting for retail and e-comm could certainly help in being ready for the future.
What products or services will you be introducing in the next year?
We continue to work with our customers on their needs and requirements as we look at our product development. Rather than maybe bringing new products to market we are further expanding our focus on what our customers need. Our current product portfolio can answer most of the requirements in the industries that we operate in and it is down to the specific logistical concept of the customer on what we offer.
In what areas are you making technological advances?
We are seeing a huge demand in package sortation and that is were we can bring some real benefits to our customers. It is bringing together the right technologies based on the requirements of the customer that gives us an edge. At the centre of our solution there will always be a sorting machine, but there are certainly technologies that support an even more efficient process around the sorter.
Are you helping customers boost the level of automation in their business?
Quite often our product brings in the first steps of automation within a customers site/operation. We strongly believe that automation can bring great benefits, but you have to be careful not to over-automate. Anything can be automated these days, but what value does it bring and how flexible do you remain within your operation are some of the questions we often discuss with our customers. We happily help them on their journey in automating their logistics, but are also not afraid to tell them when it is maybe better to keep a manual process in place.
Do you help customers maximise the use of their existing warehouse space?
Most of the customers we speak to always have a limited footprint for their automation requirements. The warehouse is often already filled and there is limited space for movements. Our sortation solutions are always built around the constraints of the warehouse space. We try to minimize the footprint we need and with our product range we have seen some very ingenious designs. One example is the short exit pitch of our split tray sorters. The added benefit from adding an automated sortation machine is that quite often one can also change the picking and packing flows. This could also bring more space to the existing warehouse.
What industries do you believe offer your business the most potential over the next year?
We currently see a huge uplift in the parcel business due to COVID19. This is no secret and everyone expects that this increase will remain in 2021 and probably even beyond. The way that people shop is experiencing an excellerated growth towards online and that simply means there will be more packages that need processing. Our product range can provide both the filling of those packages as well as the processing.
How future proof is your business?
As long as there is a need from consumers to buy goods our business will be in existence. The need for warehouses to automate and be more efficient will always exist. We see companies today looking into automation solutions that maybe 2 or 3 years ago they couldn’t even dream of with the throughput they had at that time and we are happy to help them. Also within our DNA there is a strong drive to mitigate risk for both ourselves and our customers and through the way we operate. With our versatile client portfolio we expect to be able to help customers for a long time ahead.
Will you be exhibiting at any major trade shows over the next year?
Good question, nobody knows. We have signed up for several, but obviously with the current (travel) restrictions in place it may be a while before we see a trade show happening in real life. We have already participated in some online shows and definitely see added benefit there. If trade shows happen we will participate in fairs in the UK, Netherlands, Germany, Spain, and Sweden next year. But finally we look forward to meet our customers again in person.
How would you sum up your company in three words?
Ingenious, customer-centric, partner
DISTRISORT
+31 (0)88 20 56 000
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