The key question here is: does the company want to handle the logistics itself? If the decision is made to commission a service provider, transparent cost structures are crucial in addition to meeting customer requirements. Regular reporting and integrated IT systems are essential, and scalability is also important. This makes it possible to react efficiently to order peaks or even anticipate them. Long-term planned cooperation enables joint investments, simplifies optimization measures and improves mutual understanding. Knowing the needs of the end customer is central to the success of logistics services.
Automation to increase efficiency
For efficient logistics, lean management principles and, where appropriate, automation solutions that are geared towards shipment structures and buyer behavior should be implemented. However, employees must not be forgotten either. Measures to increase their satisfaction, such as further training and development opportunities, help to retain qualified staff in the long term. This is particularly important in times when there is a shortage of skilled and junior staff.
Focus on sustainability
In order to reduce the CO2 footprint, sustainability measures are essential and are increasingly becoming a decision criterion. These are often discussed primarily for the transportation sector; reusable containers, for example, have a longer service life. However, there are also opportunities for environmentally and climate-friendly solutions in the storage sector, for example through the use of fossil-free energy sources. Process optimization or packaging solutions can also make a contribution, e.g. through recycled packaging materials and optimally utilized cardboard packaging.