L4 Logistics | Transport Shipping and Logistics News

Optimised management for the Alpina Savoie supply chain Geodis BM handles pre-production logistics for Alpina Savoie including bulk wheat supplies for its 2 production sites. The Group also manages post-production activities: shuttling goods between the production sites and 2 warehouses (10,000m² with racks and mass storage), inventory management, order-picking and distribution to customers throughout France (80% super/hypermarket chains). This solution has been designed and enhanced to offer retailers the necessary level of performance. Alpina Savoie has found a real asset in the power of the Geodis BM network, which features regional platforms, cross-docking systems, optimised transport plans and much more. Innovation on the agrifood sectorThis contract is the largest of its kind managed by Geodis BM for an agrifood company. "Outsourcing remains a rare solution on the agrifood sector," explains Franck Rouard, Chairman of the Alpina Savoie management board. "Our Group is pioneering this approach." The project consists in equal parts transport and logistics and Geodis BM has therefore adapted software from SAGE to meet its customer's operational constraints. The new 17,000m² platform in Montmélian in south-east France (of which 11,000m² are dedicated to Alpina Savoie) has also been up and running since late April 2006. 25 Geodis employees now work exclusively on this account.Outsourcing: a logistical response to boost Alpina Savoie's business performance As a result of shorter lead times, the demand for just-in-time flows, new European standards for traceability and other complications, Alpina Savoie, which has generated 36% of growth in 6 years, wanted to entrust all of its supply chain activities to a single service provider. "Outsourcing our logistics services was vital to enable us to meet our commitments to retailers. We do keep a close eye on the quality indicators however." Geodis BM's fast reactions, boosted by the project management approach it has applied since the beginning of the call for tender process, have been particularly appreciated by its customer. The service provider's operating competencies, especially in terms of Information Systems and Human Resources, have allowed Alpina Savoie to re-focus on its core business activity while maintaining local jobs and optimising its entire supply chain.Source: Press release