RESULTS
- Transparent overview of transport racks in use
- Ø 15 per cent faster return of racks
- Deterrence of potential theft
- Cost savings of around €30k per year
STARTING POINT
Precise and reliable logistics processes play an important role in the glass industry. The material properties and the usual initial sizes of glass require special transport racks for temporary storage and transport. For Christian Adamer GmbH, a company of the Adamer Group, optimizing its rack management became a business necessity.
The aim was to reduce costs by improving the traceability of over 400 of the company‘s own racks and eliminating shrinkage. Workflows were to be made more efficient by automating rack management processes, helping to further reduce costs. There was also a desire to visually compare order and booking data with real geographical location data.
Proven cloud-based industry solution for glass rack management
The search for the optimum solution led to BOX ID, which was recommended by the supplier Weha-Therm. This recommendation was also confirmed by the company‘s own research. Several factors contributed to the decision in favor of the cloud-based BOX ID rack management solution, which is used as Software-as-a-Service (SaaS). However, the main arguments were the successful reference projects in the glass trade and the support provided by a regional contact for the implementation.
The BOX ID software platform offers a user-friendly interface for managing returnable transport packaging (RTP), such as transport racks. This provides the user with process visibility throughout the supply chain. At the same time, the return of the racks is significantly accelerated and shrinkage is drastically reduced.
With the help of IoT tracking devices retrofitted to the transport racks, a transparent overview of the status of the entire rack fleet and all logistics processes can be displayed in a matter of seconds. At Adamer Glas, around 400 racks have been fitted with low-cost trackers that transmit real-time location and movement information across Europe via the wireless network. The battery-operated trackers are extremely low-maintenance and have a service life of up to seven years.
Significant savings and a reduction in new purchases
The implementation of the BOX ID solution has drastically changed the understanding of the importance of rack management at Adamer Glas. Customers have been made aware of the need to return racks on time, and tracking has had a significant deterrent effect on potential theft or unpaid interim use.
The quantitative impact is also impressive. The approximately 15% faster return of racks increases the availability of transport racks in production and delivery, and avoids bottlenecks. Due to the reduced need for new purchases, annual cost savings are estimated at around €30,000.
The specialists at Adamer Glas can finally concentrate fully on their core business and no longer have to spend unnecessary time on logistical processes and administrative tasks.
»The cooperation with BOX ID was solution-oriented and on an equal footing from the very beginning. Thanks to the tracking solution, we were able to massively minimize costs in this area within a year, while at the same time becoming noticeably more productive in shipping.«
About Adamer Glas
Christian Adamer GmbH in Regenstauf is an owner-managed company that has been in the family for over 160 years. The company offers comprehensive advice and a wide range of products from fire resistant glass, safety glass, walkable and curved glass to profiled glass.
www.glas-adamer.de