Wine logistics product launched

A NEW product designed to help local wine exporters to compete in international markets with the likes of Australia and Chile is the latest offering from P&O Nedlloyd Logistics.
The company's recently launched New World Wine Product offers a range of managed supply chain solutions for the wine industry encompassing vendor management, purchase order management, special packaging, buyer's consolidation, ocean freight, haulage, customs clearance and documentation, as well as insurance packages.
"After a full assessment of a customer's logistics requirements we can create a tailored solution with varying degrees of complexity," says P&O Nedlloyd Logistics manager, Reinier van Vuure. "Some customers require a supply chain that is lean and efficient while others prefer more flexibility in their chain; all customers however need control and visibility."
The company's web-enabled Purchase Order Management system monitors all aspects of an order and provides instant feedback to the parties involved, says Van Vuure. This is not based on container numbers or flight numbers, but rather on purchase order and item reference numbers recognised by exporters and importers."
For example, a customer can access the website, type in "Pinotage 1996", and see that one consignment of 2000 six bottle cases is being customs cleared for delivery in two days, while a second is being packed for delivery in 17 days.
"Every business requires something different from their supply chain," says Van Vuure, "but in the wine trade it is important to know that the wine will reach its destination on time and without the need to build up buffer stocks."