Speedy throughput sets industry standards

IT’S NOT the size of the warehouse but rather the speed of
throughput that sets the industry standards.
“Previously, cargo was spending more time in the
warehouse, but now time pressures and client urgency are
pulling the goods out of storage,” says Patrick Federle, MD
of Birkart Globistics. “Companies are having to adapt their
warehousing and equipment to meet these changing logistics
needs.”
The relatively lower cost of labour in South Africa
compared to that in Europe is driving in-house warehousing
solutions with more and more SA logistics companies opting
for their own storage facilities.
“European firms tend to outsource warehousing because
of the labour costs and also because it allows them to focus
on their core business,” says Federle. “Warehouses tend to be
more sophisticated than SA operations, with pick-by-light and
pick-by-voice solutions that are not available here and are
far more efficient than manual picking. We are still quite far
behind when it comes to automation.”
That is not to say South African companies are in the
dark when it comes to technology, although with Eskom
these days, it may appear that way. “Security remains a big
concern, which is why we rely on a full coverage network of
CCTV cameras and high-tech alarms,” adds Durban operations
manager Hutton Damant. “It is also critical to have an alert
warehouse manager, someone who has come through the
ranks and is prepared to get his hands dirty.”
Birkart recently leased a 2000m2 facility in Sydney Road
in Durban to take advantage of the growing demand for
storage space. “Warehousing has emerged as a growth area
over the last two years for us, and we will enhance our storage
capabilities when we take occupation in March,” adds Hutton.