Case Studies

Extending the Supply Chain: More than just food!

More and more customers are seeking to rationalise their supply chain and reduce the number of suppliers their outlets need to use – thus reducing the time spent placing orders, accepting deliveries and managing invoices as well as improving their environmental impact by reducing the ‘food miles’ involved in the supply chain. Bidvest Logistics continually works with their existing clients to review opportunities for consolidation across their full range of products (e.g. food, non food, chemicals, marketing material etc).

In September 2010 Bidvest worked with an existing client to implement a solution to manage all of their non food distribution. By harnassing their relationship with 3663 Catering, Bidvest were able to design and implement a solution to manage all 800+ non food products with an annual turnover of over 650,000 cases. Bidvest distribute the high selling bespoke lines, which can be ordered and delivered together with the normal food lines, whilst 3663 Catering Equipment source, supply and deliver the slower selling generic products. In this way the client outlets are able to order the higher selling lines regularly with their food deliveries and only order the lower selling lines as and when required. This has reduced the number of deliveries each outlet has to manage by an average 2-3 deliveries per month.  

Andrew Selley, Bidvest Logistics Managing Director said “We are constantly looking for opportunities to work with each of our customers to adapt our offering in order to support their business and meet their diverse needs”.

Bidvest put on their thinking Cap

Many Bidvest Logistics customers experience problems with unforecasted demand from outlets and/or unanticipated shortages from suppliers.  This can be due to a number of factors such as:

• Production delays or global product shortages
• Erratic ordering/sales volumes by individual outlets as a result of promotions, sales spikes or space issues.
• Keying errors by individual outlets (e.g. order 100 rather 1)

Bidvest Logistics has worked with its customers to produce a solution to mitigate the impact of these issues.  In November 2010, “order capping” functionality was introduced to Bidvest’s ordering systems. This functionality allows Bidvest, working with its customers, to limit the quantities of specific products supplied to individual outlets, to either a fixed amount or a percentage of the original order quantity. The functionality was designed, tested and implemented in conjunction with the clients who were unable to add the development to their own systems.

Henry Godber, Head of Client Relations at Bidvest Logistics, said “This allows us to add value to our customers by preventing excessive stock ordering by outlets, reducing waste at outlets and spreading availability across the full estate. This is another example of how we use our expertise to help our customers be more successful.”

S'no problem... Bidvest keep the wheels turning

Having won the battle to maintain deliveries during the sustained period of adverse weather of February 2010, Bidvest Logistics was ready to step up to the challenge once more when the snow again started to fall in December 2010.

With Christmas and New Year being peak trading period for their customer base, Bidvest appreciated that any potential disruption to supply needed to be minimised. Bidvest quickly devised alternative delivery and route planning solutions to ensure they could deliver to the outlets. A central team of representatives from all areas of the business convened every two hours to make revised routing decisions and agree a joint communication approach. When the main road to the Royton depot became impassable with numerous stranded vehicles, the Depot Manager sourced an independent snow plough to clear the road. This allowed staff and suppliers to access the depot. Up to half the Royton staff had to walk into work due to roads being unusable. In Larbert depot several drivers were stranded in the depot overnight. Over the worst four days, only 80% of suppliers successfully delivered into Bidvest, but Bidvest still managed to deliver over 95% of deliveries to outlets.

Whilst Bidvest received many words of thanks and congratulations from all clients, it was especially appreciated that KFC recognised the “outstanding service” provided by the Bidvest drivers by awarding each driver a “chicken cheque” to entitle them to a free KFC meal. For further comments and feedback from our clients, check out our “What You Say” page.  

So, whilst many people start thinking about Christmas presents and New Year’s resolutions as the nights draw in, the staff at Bidvest Logistics can be forgiven for having one eye on the weather forecast!