Degroupage facility offers same day delivery

Paving the way for supply chain management
ALAN PEAT
THE OPENING of its off-airport degroupage facility in February 2005 added a valuable asset to the services offered by a hartrodt in SA, according to GM Herbert Müller. The electronic control system for the facility – backed by a manual override if necessary – gives the operation a speed element that has cut transit timing from aircraft to customer to same day delivery in a large number of cases. “With our truck shuttle system plying regularly between the airport and the degroupage centre,” said Müller, “we have the pallet in this bonded warehouse only two hours after the plane has landed. “It can be immediately degrouped, and the goods are ready for distribution to our clients. “Our transit times have come down enormously – and this keeps co-loaders and our clients extremely happy with the speed of service.” Operating six-days-a-week (seven if required), this relatively new facility has also provided the company with valuable experience, and offers a vital lesson for any future move into full supply chain management – something which is on the cards at Hartrodt, but not a move that should be rushed into, according to Müller. “We are essentially conservative in how we view business change,” he told FTW, “and feel that you need to learn to walk before you can run. “A lot also depends on a number of our other business development plans, and our customers’ requirements. But, when it’s viable, we’ll go.” Another motivation towards this eventual move is Hartrodt’s major logistics centre near the port city of Bremen in Germany. “In our overview of this possible move into supply chain management,” said Müller, “this operation would offer very valuable support to the whole concept.” Last year was the best ever for Hartrodt in SA. “Again,” said Müller, “I’d have to say that part of this sort of success has to be attributed to our conservative approach to many aspects of business.” Another reflection of the company’s desire to offer reliability in the off-airport facility is that customs have given Hartrodt’s record keeping system top marks. “We’re very happy,” said Müller, “and see it as a valuable extension of our general efforts.”