panorama - m+r spedag group

panorama
The Magazine of the M+R Spedag Group
July 2010
Responsibility for the future
GREEN LOGISTICS
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CONTENTS
Editorial3
Guest Article: The Supply Chain of the Future
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How will Supply Chains evolve in an energy-constrained, low-carbon
world? A future study conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers
Agent Partners
6
A strong partner network is a key prerequisite to fulfill highest
quality and service requirements
Certifications
8
ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management is joined by Environmental Management
and the certification as Authorized Economic Operator (AEO)
Kaiseraugst Logistics Park
10
By the end of 2010, M+R Spedag Basel will operate a new terminal
and warehouse facility in Kaiseraugst, Aargau
Real Time Scanning
12
National Distribution in Switzerland is to be supported by a new system, introducing advanced technology for handling operations and event monitoring
The Journey of the Yeast
14
Logistics for the brewing industry: temperature-controlled transportation
in one of the hottest areas of the world
Beyond the Dutch
16
Fine Arts Logistics in Indonesia: M+ R Jakarta is handling the shipment of
exhibits from Indonesia to an arts exhibition in Utrecht, Netherlands
Photo Challenge
18
Our corporate symbol, the rhombus, is the theme of our new
photo challenge
PANORAMA - THE MAGAZINE OF THE M+R SPEDAG GROUP
Edition July 2010
Publisher M+ R Spedag Group Ltd., Kriegackerstrasse 91, 4132 Muttenz / Switzerland
Editor Bernadette Jourdan Design + Layout Stephan Schneider Copyright M+ R Spedag Group Ltd.
Contact panorama@mrspedag.com Internet www.mrspedag.com
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PANORAMA
Titel The Green Highway?
Our guest article focuses on efficient energy use and considering the environmental effects of emissions. A large-scale study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers on
the influence of ecology on the supply chain may provide some scientific background on this topic. In this study, three key hypotheses were analyzed with
respect to the probability of their occurrence and their potential repercussions
for the logistics sector. The conclusions were not surprising: policy will, in the
form of new laws, be increasing the emphasis on more efficient energy sources
and more environmentally friendly supply chains. It is also assumed that consumers will consciously be shifting their buying patterns in favor of products
that feature the “stamp” of a green logistics process. Of course, the cost-benefit
ratio will remain a decisive factor as well. The question is, can increased costs be
passed on the consumer, or might it even be possible to obtain a cost advantage in the form of subsidies? Companies can hardly be expected to focus on
protecting the environment without the end result being worth the effort from
a financial perspective. There are, of course, exceptions to the rule, but even
these serve to confirm the rule.
It is now upon us as M+R Spedag Group to decide how to act with respect
to the environment. As a first step we sought and received ISO 14001 certification in order to gradually take greater consideration of the environment when
making decisions in our everyday work, and to make our improvements measurable. A second step will involve prioritizing our clients’ wishes when choosing transport modes and routes, and after that questioning whether the affected route or transport mode show improvements. Third, we would like to
develop tools to help us show our client base how we measure our so-called
ecological footprint. This will de done in the spirit of our company vision: “The
client is impressed by our performance and considers us an equal partner.”
I would like to conclude by making a film recommendation. Against the
backdrop of the recent World Cup in South Africa, I would like to suggest the
film Invictus. The film is not about the poverty and poor living conditions of
large sections of the African population, as the impressive images and background reports have showed us all through the broadcasts of the games. Instead, this moving film shows how Nelson Mandela used the 1995 World Rugby
Championships to create a common identity for his country and its rival groups
by way of a national rugby team. This film will give those who see it a better understanding of the meaning of the World Cup for South Africa, and will silence
critics who question the benefit of this momentous event for its beautiful host
country.
Daniel Richner
PANORAMA
3
GREEN LOGISTICS
THE SUPPLY CHAIN OF THE FUTURE
The following article is an adaption from the study of the future “Transportation & Logistics 2030 – How will Supply
Chains evolve in an energy-constrained, low-carbon world?” conducted by PricewaterhouseCoopers and the Supply Chain Management Institute of the European Business School.
How will Supply Chains evolve in an energyconstrained, low-carbon world?
For one thing, they will go much further in the direction
of ensuring that the cost of emissions is paid by those
who reap the benefits, spurred not only by regulation, but
also by changes in consumer behavior. Supply chains will
bene­fit from improvements in technology which enable
significant real-time control, allowing greater flexibility.
And although in some sectors regional supply chains are
likely to grow in importance, overall the supply chain of
2030 will remain primarily a complex global system – but
one where transport costs and emissions are increasingly
key constraining factors of energy.
Fueling the T&L sector
Transport and logistics companies see themselves confronted with major challenges in the areas of supply and
costs. While oil price developments are unlikely to revolutionize the T&L sector over the next 20 years, reducing
emissions will pose a greater challenge to T&L companies
than obtaining sufficient energy and fuel supply.
How consumers may reshuffle the cards for
T&L operators
While current and future regulations will certainly have an
important impact on the industry, some of the push towards ensuring sustainable supply chains is likely to come
directly from the end-user, whose purchasing decisions
have a strong influence on manufacturing supply chains.
This will perhaps necessitate a highly sophisticated technical infrastructure, which may require investments in hardand software as well as skilled workforce. T&L companies
will have to rethink their business model to position
themselves for the long term. Companies who respond
to greater consumer preference for locally-produced pro­
ducts, for example, may be able to build faster and more
efficient local supply chains to differentiate themselves
from the competition. Increasing urbanization affords
T&L companies the opportunity to diversify their service
portfolio. For example, there might emerge home deliv-
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PANORAMA
ery specialists able to negotiate the congested last mile in
urban environments and provide quick, customized solutions for end-user needs. Logistics service providers may
want to consider whether to position themselves as lowcost logistics providers, where customers can select just
the services they need, or as high-technology providers
offering highly sophisticated real-time control of the flow
of goods. Minimizing energy use will take on greater significance in the coming years.
Transport modes - more automated, but marginal
modal shift
Recent decades have seen considerable development in
transport modes. The introduction of large aircraft and
oversized vessels as well as driverless transport systems
(DTS) represent just a few examples of such development.
Innovative developments will determine how products
get from the assembly line to the end consumer. Competition among transport modes will remain the subject of
endless discussion and pose the eternal question of finding the proper balance between individual modes. Infrastructure bottlenecks such as congestion in mega-cities
are virtually inevitable and impede growth. More bundling efforts may be required in order to overcome the
growing volume of traffic. However, only minor changes
are expected with res­pect to the modal split. One possible
transport concept for T&L operators in mega-cities is cooperation with competitors, also known as co-opetition. For
example, divi­ding up delivery zones of competing manufacturers could result in significant cost savings. Supply
chain design, including the location of production sites,
will need to take energy and emission costs into account.
There will be no reverse of globalization, but many supply
networks will tend towards stronger regional organization.
More efficient supply chains
The logistics industry provides the backbone of global
supply chains. In recent years, global supply chains have
evolved in many industries, often due to substantial cost
advantages obtained via “low-cost country sourcing.” The
5
Oil price at US$ 1.000
Allocation of carbon
footprint
Impact on T&L
4
Global energy turnaround
3
2
1
20
30
40
50
60
70
80
Estimated Probability (%)
Theses
2030: The oil price has risen to US$ 1.000 per
barrel because oil peaked years ago.
2030: the global energy turnaround has now
advanced to the point so that in some countries
alternative energy accounts for up to 80% of the
overall energy mix.
2030: By using standardised measurement and
evaluation systems (i.e. emissions trading, toll
systems), the carbon footprint of logistics processes in supply chains must be allocated to the
causer and factored into the price of the product.
Delphi
Results
Probability: 26%
Impact: 4,6
Desirability: 1,7
Probability: 51%
Impact: 3,8
Desirability: 4,0
Probability: 68%
Impact: 4,1
Desirability: 3,8
Impact on Transportation & Logistics and Desirability are measured on a scale from 1 to 5.
Delphi results of trends in energy and emissions
complexity of these networks raises serious risk issues,
however. Part of the solution to the monitoring problem
will come in the form of technological developments.
Real-time control systems, for example, will provide T&L
operators and their customers with a highly efficient way
to monitor many business processes using the Internet.
Some experts believe that customers will use the real-time
control system to intervene into logistics processes, a development which they believe will be of decisive important for the future of logistics as whole. Some “smart” containers will not only communicate data through RFID tags;
they will organize their process flow themselves. Logistics
service providers with sophisticated tracking and tracing
systems may be able to employ these to speed the process
of adhering to government-mandated security measures.
Customs authorities in the European Union perform systems controls rather than physical controls, provided that
the logistics service provider is an Authorized Economic
Operator, AEO. Obtaining this status affords significant advantages in terms of time and cost during customs clearance. Logistics service providers will thus have to find a
balance between energy efficiency and speed of delivery.
Opportunity Radar 2030
What do these developments mean for transportation and
logistics operators? Some 20 promising future opportuni-
ties for transportation and logistics operators have been
identified and categorized into four spheres of events on
an “opportunity radar”: Products and Services, Finance and
Accounting, Processes and Organization, and Strategy and
Positioning.
Outlook
It’s important to be prepared for anything - even the worst
case scenario. Logistics service providers should better familiarize themselves with future trends and develop scenarios for various potential outcomes. While the service
sector has been working with innovation management for
years, logistics companies have yet to systematically put
this tool to use. Logistics operators should carry out active
management of their innovation processes to better tailor
services to their customers’ needs and increase competitiveness. The conditions governing the development of
logistics networks are changing - and so are the networks
themselves as a result. Due to growing awareness of climate change and greenhouse emissions, consumers’ buying decisions will be increasingly based on sustainability
criteria. Flexible logistics operators who create new business models and seize opportunities such as co-opetition,
bundling of goods flows and diversified positioning will
profit from these developments.
Source: PricewaterhouseCoopers.
PANORAMA
5
SWITZERLAND
THE RIGHT AGENT PARTNER
The M+ R Spedag Group is built on strong partnerships. This fundamental principle remains as true today as it was
over 50 years ago at the time of our founding, even though the company long ago grew beyond the Swiss domestic
market and is now represented at over 50 locations worldwide.
Just like every journey, the transport of goods is marked
by a beginning and an end: at the point of origin stands
a sender, and at the destination, a recipient. National consignments often involve a single service provider who
single-handedly oversees the entire transport by communicating with parties at both ends. The situation is very different when it comes to cross-border international traffic.
The goods being transported must pass through various
stations and be transferred from one mode of transport to
another. Other tasks must be performed along the way in
addition to the actual transport itself, such as processing
at different hubs, customs and transit formalities, transport
documentation, etc.
In international traffic, the entire transport is almost
always performed by two cooperating parties - the transport service provider at the point of origin and its counterpart in the destination country. There is a fundamental
difference between a global logistics operator with offices
in all of the world’s major trading centers, and a small or
medium-sized enterprise (SME). While the latter may be
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represented in several places, it lacks its own worldwide
network of branch offices.
In a global company, the office in the country of origin
usually works with another of the company’s offices in the
destination country. The SME logistics company, on the
other hand, is based on a network of partner enterprises.
These are independent transportation and shipping companies connected in a jointly agreed partnership.
Today, M+R Spedag Group is represented by own subsidiary companies in over fifty locations in Europe, Asia,
Africa and the United States. While the group can certainly
no longer be considered a small enterprise, it is still far
from being one of the global giants of the logistics branch.
One thing that has not changed since the founding of the
M+R Spedag Group over five decades ago is our partneroriented conduct. Of course, there are some business relationships which are covered by independent services at
both ends. However, the various divisions of our company
conduct over 90% of all transports in cooperation with
partner agencies.
How does this situation affect our customers? Companies with their own global presence often argue that representation through global offices means better customer
service. This is arguably not the case. From the perspective of M+R Spedag Group, our partner-focused conduct
is a decisive advantage in itself. In order to provide highquality services, all parties involved must operate at a high
service standard. In a rigid network where involved parties
are automatically predefined through company affiliation,
this is not necessarily possible. As a partner-oriented company, however, the M+R Spedag Group is always able to
select its own partners.
Another major advantage is that partnerships bet­
ween independent companies are one hundred percent
scalable. The type of rigid structures often found in global
companies typically do not allow for this. This inflexibility
represents a major problem, particularly in crisis situations.
The company is under pressure to utilize its own structure
to capacity for the sake of cost savings, which may not
have a positive impact on the quality of services.
It has always been our philosophy to find the right partner for every transport relationship. Companies vary in the
strength of their alignment to different business relations
or modes of transport. This is why in some countries we
work together with more than one company. For road
transports in one particular European country, for example, the Group’s Swiss organization works with Partner A,
who is entirely focused on group-based transports, while
the Spedag East Africa division cooperates with a different
company altogether for its project logistics in the same
country.
Both sides benefit from the ability to choose a partner
who best fits the company philosophy and meets our own
demands for quality. Both partners are under constant
pressure to treat the other side with the same respect one
would a customer. Both are always making the effort to offer their service partner the same standards of high quality
one would one’s own customer.
In our industry, independent logistics companies who
work in mutual cooperation are known as “agents.” However, we generally view our connection with these agents
GO EAST!
The M+ R Spedag Group AG is expanding its European traffic operations and has set a medium-term goal of attaining a leading position in Central and Eastern Europe. The aim is to cover a modern
portfolio of services: from Scandinavia to the Mahgreb countries,
from Portugal across the countries of Central and Eastern Europe
all the way to Russia.
Access to markets, transit points, and customers are of decisive
importance when choosing a location. However, by establishing
branch offices in Central and Eastern Europe (CEE), manufacturers
and producers are striving not only for cost savings, but on-time
deliveries to local markets as well. The longer the retail and market
expansion continues, the more important these markets will become for logistics providers. Rising consumption on domestic markets combines with the growing significance of the manufacturing
industry to increased demand. Sixty percent of the jobs created in
Europe are located in Central and Eastern Europe, and infrastructure and transport networks in this region are under constant
forward development. Meanwhile, rising fuel prices, changes in
market demand and the need to alleviate difficulties in coordination necessitate a reevaluation of the supply chains in the Far East.
However, even the domestic markets of Eastern Europe have made
a true leap forward in development in recent years. Old economic
disparities continue to disappear.
Development in the CEE region is one of the cornerstones of
the M+ R Spedag Group AG strategy. The logistics sector will be
expanded here, as will regularly scheduled land transport routes.
M+ R Spedag aspires to a leading position in this region in order
as a business relationship among equal partners who are
pursuing a common goal. From this perspective, we find
the term “partner” or “agent partner” a much more fitting
term. A successful partnership involves setting aside one’s
own interests to give central priority to customer advantage. Processes must be jointly structured and optimized
from A to Z. A joint purchasing and margins policy must
also be defined. Accomplishing this puts us on a par with
the industry’s giants, because these processes are centrally
steered in a global company. A medium-sized company
familiar with the logistics market in its own country is
more dynamic than any global company. A very important aspect of the partnership, however, is to always view
the relationship from the point of view of the partner.
Particularly in times of economic difficulty, it is essential
not to seek only what is best for one’s own organization,
thus passing off the pressure on margins onto one’s partner. This type of conduct only forces the partner to reduce
its own productivity. Instead, processes must be jointly
restructured and streamlined, and IT solutions must optimized to benefit both partners.
Stephan Schneider, Muttenz
to offer a modern service portfolio through a powerful network of
partnerships. With the designation of Schaffhausen as the overseeing branch for the CEE region, the group has assigned leadership
responsibilities which are in alignment with this goal. The Schaffhausen branch with also enjoy new potential for development.
The M+ R Spedag Group AG CEE solution seeks to expand the
range of services which the Group has developed over the decades.
In every country, the Group will additionally seek the support of a
network of partners who are very familiar with the local market
and who hold a strong position on the regional market. In the next
few months, we will work together with our partners to offer regular direct service from Schaffhausen to Poland, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Hungary, Romania and Bulgaria.
Stefan Höcketstaller, Muttenz
PANORAMA
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SWITZERLAND
CERTIFICATIONS
Supply chains are faced with the challenge of bridging ever longer distances and meeting ever shorter deadlines.
In this type of environment, process-controlled business flows are an absolute necessity for logistics operators. Only
structures which are efficient and reliable will meet customers› requirements.
zerland and the EU. Switzerland is also aiming toward mutual recognition of this status with other overseas trading
partners, including the United States, China and Japan.
The M+R Spedag Group AG is on the path towards
AEO certification at the earliest possible opportunity. We
are also happy to advise our customers on the topic of
AEO/authorized economic operator status.
AEO – Authorized Economic Operator
Effective from 1 January, 2011, new EU regulations will enter into force for customs-approved treatment of import
and export goods. One provision of the new regulations is
that economic operators must submit certain information
to customs authorities when importing and expor­ting
goods.
In order to guarantee a high level of security for the
free flow of goods, reliable companies will be given the
opportunity to seek “Authorized Economic Operator” status. An Authorized Economic Operator is a company in the
supply chain which has been tested and certified for customs administration, financial solvency, compliance with
customs regulations and safety standards and accurate
bookkeeping. Beginning in the summer of 2010, all companies listed in the Swiss Federal Commercial Registry or
the Liechtenstein Trade Registry will be permitted to apply
for AEO status.
Although AEO status is not mandatory, it is likely to become a necessity for international trade in the medium- to
long-term future. AEO status is recognized between Swit-
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ISO 9001:2008
Already more than ten years ago, M+R Spedag had introduced a comprehensive quality management system
in Switzerland and subjected all internal processes to
strict quality control. In 1997, the M+R Spedag Group received certification for quality management standard ISO
9001:2000 by the renowned testing, inspection and certification group SGS. Since then, annual quality audits have
been performed and recertification obtained on a regular
basis. Our internal processes are additionally subject to
constant internal review, improvement and adaptation to
the latest standards. Even the quality standard has been
modified and now reflects the current ISO 9001:2008 standard, for which the company has also been certified.
Of course, the M+R Spedag Group performs quality
control not only in Switzerland, but worldwide. Our East
Africa division has already received ISO 9001:2000 certification in Uganda and Kenya, our two largest national
branches on the African continent.
ISO 14001:2004
Previously, logistics was considered incompatible with
climate protection. For some time now, however, a paradigm shift has occurred in our industry, with the concept
of “Green Logistics” growing considerably in significance.
We, too, view environmentally friendly process design and
sustainable logistics concepts not as trends but as integral components of our company policy. This is why the
M+R Spedag Group AG sought 14001:2004 Environmental
Management Standard certification. The group’s Swiss division underwent the relevant audit on July 1-2 2010. The
key features of ISO 14001 certification are reduced waste
production and energy and water consumption. The certification examines all technological devices used for logistics operations, from lights and sanitary installations all the
way to paper consumption. Other important aspects are
vehicle fleet optimization and building/property management. Examples of steps in this direction are using vehicles
that feature state-of-the-art motor technology and meet
the latest European standards, and/or the consolidation of
several branch offices onto a single platform for the sake
of greater efficiency. One good example is the new terminal in Kaiseraugst which we will put into operation in late
2010. Of course, our environmental strategy will not rely
solely on the company; employees, too, will be encouraged to make a personal contribution to environmental
conservation at their place of work.
Modern engine technology helps to reduce carbon dioxide emission
Christoph Wieber, Muttenz
Movie Recommendation
Invictus
Morgan Freeman, Matt Damon
Regie: Clint Eastwood
2009
South Africa, 1995: Newly elected president Nelson Mandela finds
hope for of national unity in an unlikely place: the rugby field. He
believes the national team could provide an example of reconciliation in action, and asks the national rugby team captain to do
the impossible. In the tradition of big Hollywood movies, this true
story has a happy ending.
Book Recommendation
Laduuuuuma!
Bartholomaeus Grill (2009)
255 Pages, Hoffmann and Campe
On the eve of the 2010 Soccer World Cup in South Africa, Bartholomaeus Grill has compiled a collection of reports on the theme
of “Soccer”. The result is an informative guide about countries and
people and an enjoyable reading experience. His book intends to
be a “homage to African soccer, its power of reconciliation, its seduction, its irresistible magic”.
PANORAMA
9
SWITZERLAND
KAISERAUGST LOGISTICS PARK
In late 2010, the Basel headquarters of the M+ R Spedag Group will be acquiring a terminal in Kaiseraugst, Aargau.
From this point forward, all incoming and outgoing goods will be handled on a single platform, rather than at
three different terminals in the Muttenz municipality, as is the case today.
The name Augst refers to the ancient Roman colonial city
of Augusta Raurica. Founded in 45 BC, the city is the oldest
Roman settlement in Switzerland. Around 100 AD, a city
with a river port, craftsmen’s quarters and a commercial
center stood along the Rhine in the area now known as
Kaiseraugst. Today, August Raurica is the best-preserved
ancient Roman city north of the Alps and should be maintained for generations as a cultural landmark of national
significance.
Following construction of the expressway system in
the mid-1960’s, countless industrial enterprises moved
to Kaiseraugst, which is located in the Aargau region. The
most well-known of these is the pharmaceutical company
Hoffmann-La Roche, who chose Kaiseraugst as the site of
its largest and most modern packaging and logistics center. The municipality has a population of more than 5,000
and provides around 3,500 jobs, approximately 69% of
which are in industry, and 30% in the service sector.
Soon, the M+R Spedag Group AG will also bring a part
of its operations to Kaiseraugst. Starting January 1, 2011 a
new logistics center and terminal will commence its operations in the industrial region known as Hirsrüti. Until
then, goods handling and national transport remains divided among warehouses in various locations. In the future, the company will be bundling all its terminal opera-
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PANORAMA
tions at the Kaiseraugst Logistics Park and managing them
themselves. At the same time, the new location will help
contribute to optimized vehicle use. This aspect will be of
considerable importance, particularly with respect to the
forthcoming ISO 14001:2004 Environmental Management
certification. Future storage capacity will allow for an expansion of the service spectrum and an intensification of
earlier logistics activities.
The Kaiseraugst Logistics Park is located in the center of the border triangle, in immediate proximity to the
German and French borders and with excellent access to
transport connections. The facility has a direct connection
to expressways A2 South and West and A3 East. Junctions
to German expressways A5 and A98 North are within a
very short distance. The customs offices in Rheinfelden
and Basel are respectively just one and fifteen km away.
The modern, partially climate-controlled facility comprises approximately 10,000 m2 of handling and logistics
space on three levels. The warehouse on the ground floor
is equipped with 32 loading ramps, the majority of which
can be electronically customized, and which are compatible with all types of vehicles. Three floors are available as
needed in the neighboring logistics area for storage and
processing. All floors have the same floor plan, a ceiling
height of 4.3 m and more than 2,000 m2 of combined stor-
Range of Services
Besides the standard service portfolio offered by M+ R Spedag
Group AG, M+ R Logistics Service AG and Spedag East Africa
AG, we offer our clients at our new Kaiseraugst Logistics Park
numerous additional services. The services can be tuned to the
individual needs of each client. Services include:
• Warehousing and inventory control
• Stocktaking
• Quality control
• Sorting
Cargo handling activities at the Kaiseraugst Logistics Park
age space. The floors are connected to one another with
powerful transport elevators.
The Kaiseraugst Logistics Park is equipped with a stateof-the-art fire protection system and a comprehensive
video surveillance system to meet the latest safety standards. An additional electronic access control system in
the storage area and office building help further minimize
the safety risk. The customs requirements for the upcoming AEO status application process for Kaiseraugst are thus
completely fulfilled.
With an area of 650 m2, the adjacent two-story office
building even provides enough room to offer on-site office space to prospective customers.
• Pick & Pack services
• Labelling / Relabelling
• Packing / Repacking
• Removal of markings
• Reverse Logistics
• Waste management
• Lease of office- and storage areas
• Bonded warehousing
• Documentation
• Track & Trace
Bastian Scheffner, Muttenz
PANORAMA
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SWITZERLAND
REAL TIME SCANNING
In parallel with the relocation to the new terminal in Kaiseraugst, M+ R Spedag Group AG will also be introducing
technical improvements in the areas of goods handling and national distribution. Starting January 2011, all hand­
ling operations, as well as pickup and delivery of goods to and from the customer, will be supported by a real-time
scanning system.
Handheld scanning devices include a multitude of functions
Modern logistics concepts rely on complex process-controlled operations which encompass a wide spectrum
of work flows and steps. For over half a century, little has
changed in the way of the tools used for the manual labor
of vehicle loading and unloading. Now these work steps
will become part of IT-controlled processes and monitored by state-of-the-art electronic assistance devices
that have only become available in recent years. Although
electronic data and information flows have only been an
important component of the logistics process for a short
time, they now represent the backbone of any efficient
supply chain all over the world.
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One main priority in optimizing these supply chains is to
eliminate an interface where manually collected information must be entered into electronic media. A significant
step towards attaining this goal is electronic registration of
goods as they are transferred through the transport chain,
starting with pickup from the sender, through reloading at
the various transport hubs and ending with delivery to the
end recipient. In order to accomplish this, logistics companies can use modern scanning systems. The Real-TimeScanning System (RTS) used by M+R Spedag as of January
scans the barcode label on each individual package and
stores the transfer data not only on the physical interface,
but on the central server of our Transport Management
System in real-time as well. At our terminal facilities, employees involved in technical operations on the ramps and
in the cargo handling areas are equipped with these scanners. When unloading incoming trucks and containers, the
barcode of each individual package item is scanned and
wirelessly transmitted to the TMS. This code is compared
with the cargo list transferred via EDI from our partner at
the point of origin, and the time and precise location of
the scan are automatically recorded and saved as status
information. The same thing happens when trucks are unloaded at the terminals. Discrepancies with the cargo lists
are automatically recorded and will activate an alarm message. Any type of damage to the packages are documen­
ted and recorded by the scanner’s built-in digital camera.
The scanning process continues in national distribution, the division responsible for delivering individual consignments from the entry terminal to the end recipient
as well as for picking up consignments bound for export.
Every driver is equipped with a mobile scanning device.
In addition to the laser required for the scanning process
and a built-in digital camera, these devices also feature a
GPS locator and a GMS communication module. The latter
allows for constant data exchange with the server at the
control center. Complete information about the pickup or
delivery route is stored on the device prior to the driver’s
departure. This data can also be updated with new in-
formation while the vehicle is en route. For example, the
control center can use GMS to send the driver information about a pickup that has just been ordered. The driver
can also make calls or send text messages to the control
center on the GMS device. During the drive itself the mobile device functions as a navigational tool, showing the
driver the best route to take. At the loading/unloading site,
the individual packages are scanned once again, and the
recipient confirms receipt by giving an on-screen signature using the device’s stylus. The device instantly sends all
data via GMS to the control center with a time and location stamp. For the entire duration of the route, the dis-
patcher at the control center can view the vehicle’s current
location on his monitor.
Of course, using a modern RTS system allows for increased efficiency and conveys a decisive advantage.
However, we will not be the only ones to obtain this advantage; all other parties involved in the supply chain
will benefit as well. Electronic tracking and real-time data
transmission provide for a high level of transparency and
information density which can in turn help customers and
partners optimize their own processes.
Stephan Schneider, Muttenz
OVERNIGHT EXPRESS SEES A RISE IN DEMAND
In the summer of 2009, we began collaborating with our partner
TNT Innight to offer express transport service from Germany, Austria and the Netherlands. Demand for this time-sensitive product
continues to rise and opens new growth potential for us. Overnight
express goods may vary in their size and weight but they have one
thing in common: they are urgently needed at their destination
and must therefore be delivered as quickly as possible. Each day
we pick up between 250 and 300 consignments from suppliers in
Germany, Austria and the Netherlands and deliver them during
the night onto the central terminal in Ludwigsburg near Stuttgart.
Here, the goods are quickly loaded onto different types of vehicles
to be transported to Schaffhausen. While the consignments are en
route to Switzerland, our customs brokers and dispatchers make
all the necessary preparations to ensure their seamless further
transport. In order to avoid delays during transport, all parts of the
process must fit together perfectly. Customs clearances must be
prepared, handling personnel must be present and ready, and all
seventeen drivers must be with their delivery vehicle awaiting assignment. Our performance target is Switzerland-wide delivery by
12:00 a.m., Monday through Saturday.
Export traffic to Germany is also constantly on the rise. For this
service, deliveries will reach the recipient between 4:00 a.m. and
8:00 a.m. Because urgent shipments of spare parts are of major significance in Germany, we also deliver directly to auto repair shops
or to mechanics’ service vehicles.
The overnight express option allows us to offer our customers
quick, affordable and reliable service. This new and innovative logistics solution is a major advantage for our customers who face
today’s dramatically changed market conditions.
Jörg Schlobies
PANORAMA
13
AFRICA
THE JOURNEY OF THE YEAST
For many years, Spedag East Africa has been overseeing and handling the logistics for a number of breweries owned
by the SABMiller Group in Uganda. SABMiller is the world’s second largest brewer and one of Africa’s leading players
in the brewing industry.
We had already delivered the containerized goods, the wide-load
flatbed trucks and the heavy machinery to Juba. Now all that
was missing to start the brewing
process was one particular and
very important ingredient: the
yeast. Yeast is a living organism,
and the particular variety used
for brewing beer is considered
highly sensitive cargo. The temperature of the yeast must lie
within 3°C and 5°C at all times. If
these conditions are not met even
for a short time, the microorganisms will immediately perish and
the product will be ruined. We took
on the challenge of transporting the
delicate shipment from Jinja, Uganda,
to Juba in Southern Sudan, one of the
hottest regions on the planet, .
We had to quickly come up with an
idea for a way to implement this unusual project. The yeast was at the perfect
temperature inside storage vats in Jinja.
We arranged for a charter flight, a pickup
truck and larger vats to hold the vats that
already contained the yeast. What we really
needed was ice - and lots of it. We reached
Jinja early the next morning with six empty
plastic vats on the bed of a pickup truck.
With a local temperature of just 4°C, unusually cool for local conditions, we got to
work in the cold storage room. We placed
ice-filled bottles in the plastic vats, added
the vats of yeast and covered everything
with a thick layer of crushed ice. Then we
closed the barrels tightly. Although it
was still early in the morning, the temperature had already reached over 20°C.
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PANORAMA
We quickly loaded the barrels onto
the pickup truck, secured the load,
drove off, crossed the River Nile
and the Owen Falls dam, reaching the neighboring runway in an
incredible 15 minutes. In a stellar
example of precision planning,
the charter flight was already prepared for departure. We loaded
the six vats onto the aircraft and
secured them in place. Within
minutes, the plane was ready for
takeoff. As we hurtled across the
bumpy tarmac, we could hardly
believe that only a few minutes
had passed since we left the cool
storage room.
After a brief pit stop in Entebbe to
take care of export formalities and to
refuel the plane, we continued on to
Juba. Every thirty minutes we added
ice to the vats and optimistically awai­
ted our arrival, knowing our colleagues
at SPEDAG S.SUDAN had already begun
preparations for import customs clea­
rance. As we approached the landing
strip, we saw our colleagues waving and
the truck standing at the ready. As we disembarked, we were overwhelmed by the
tremendous heat: 45°C in the shade, and
even hotter under the scorching sun.
The customs officer was waiting on the
landing strip and made sure we could enter the country with our registered cargo
within minutes. While the customs officer took care of the formalities, we
wrapped the vats in towels that had
been immersed in cold water. We
were now on the last leg of our
journey: the dusty, rocky streets of
the city of Juba. Signs warned travelers not to leave the
marked paths. After a long and seemingly endless civil war,
the ground in Juba is still teeming with land mines. Just a
few kilometers outside the city lies the brewery, which had
until now been unable start production without the yeast
as a key ingredient.
We were immediately dropped off at the facility and
drove directly into the cooled storage room where the
brewmaster took receipt of the cargo. We delivered the
yeast in perfect condition, at the optimal temperature
of precisely 4°C. SPEDAG needed exactly four hours to
handle the task. When I returned to the brewery after a
short break, we got to witness production of the very first
beer. As you read this article, people in Juba are making a
toast to peace over a cold glass of “White Bull,” produced
by Southern Sudan Beverages Ltd. (SSBL). Since the start
of the project, when the brewery was nothing more than
a draft on the drawing board, SSBL has been working exclusively with SPEDAG for its logistics needs, and will continue to do so in the future.
Michael Bubendorf, Kampala
Strategic reinforcement for East Africa
Dennis Keiser is now filling a double role as Group Financial Controller for Spedag East Africa and General Manager for Mombasa-based Spedag Spedition Kenya Ltd. He completed his study internship while pursuing his
degree in shipping management, and has been working for us since 2004. Following the successful completion
of his studies, Dennis Keiser spent several years working as a Controller at the head office of the Spedag East
Africa organization.
Spedag East Africa has three offices in Kenya (Mombasa, Nairobi and Malaba) with over eighty employees.
The port of Mombasa is one of the most important gateways to the entire East Africa region. Spedag Kenya
works in close collaboration with its sister companies in East Africa to forward incoming consignments from
Mombasa to their interior African destinations.
Dennis Keiser
Spedag Kenya receives ISO certification
In December 2009, Spedag Spedition Kenya Ltd. was certified by the international
testing organization Bureau Veritas for the ISO 9001:2008 Quality Management
standard, following in the footsteps of its sister company Spedag Uganda which
received the same certification in the year 2008.
The Spedag East Africa division is intensely involved with the project management business and provides logistics services to an international client base for large-scale projects in the areas of infrastructure, construction and civil engineering, etc.
Kenya Sponsorship Project
It began three years ago, when three employees from Spedag Kenya formed a soccer team with the name of “Spedag”. The team is extremely successful and has won first or second place in ten tournaments during the three years of its existence. These tournaments enjoy
a great deal of popularity, and more and more teams have been founded over the past few years. Last year saw the establishment of the
official Kenyan Women’s Premier League.
Of course, Spedag Spedition Kenya Ltd. is the main sponsor of the Spedag soccer team. The company’s employees also founded the
“Spedag Community Program”, in which employees make private contributions used to help players from the Spedag team build up
financial security.
PANORAMA
15
ASIA
ART AND LOGISTICS
The Centraal Museum in Utrecht recently held an art exhibition entitled “Beyond the Dutch” which demonstrated
the influence of Dutch culture in Indonesia before and after the colonial period. For the exhibition, Indonesian artworks from the past 110 years had to be transported to Utrecht and later back to Indonesia again. M+ R Indonesia
was entrusted with the regional logistics.
Those who have traveled to Indonesia are aware that the
inhabitants of the largest archipelago in the world have
a particular penchant for art. Their love of beauty is evident in the multitude of statues, carvings, paintings, special architecture, richly embellished buildings and colorful
batik patterns found everywhere. Dutch colonial rule in
Indonesia lasted almost 350 years and left its mark in both
The original billboard advertising of the exhibition in Utrecht
(with kind permission of Centraal Museum)
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PANORAMA
countries, particularly in the world of art. In order to demonstrate to the public the two countries’ mutual influence
in the visual arts, the Centraal Museum in Utrecht, Netherlands, ran an exhibition from October 2009 through January 2010 entitled “Beyond the Dutch.” The exhibition was
composed of a broad spectrum of works from Indonesian
and Dutch artists, from classic paintings to modern art created between 1900 and today. Among the sponsors of the
exhibition were the Dutch Embassy in Indonesia and the
Indonesian Embassy in the Netherlands.
Particularly in the case of a temporary exhibition, people are often unaware of the extent of the logistical challenge that must be overcome in order to allow visitors the
pleasure of beholding art objects from faraway countries
in their own hometown. The Centraal Museum hired a
Dutch company specializing in fine arts logistics to transport the paintings from Indonesia to Utrecht. However,
because it lacked its own setup in Indonesia, the company
first needed to find a reliable and competent partner to
take care of local logistics in Indonesia. Numerous Indonesian companies were contacted before PT M+R Forwarding Indonesia became the clear choice.
Transport preparations began in August 2009. A series
of artworks totaling 10 m3 in volume was prepared for
dispatch by sea freight and 85 highly valuable paintings
and drawings were sent via air freight to Utrecht. M+R
Indonesia picked up paintings and art objects at various
museums and art galleries in Jakarta, Bandung, Magelang
and Yogyakarta. All works were collected at a warehouse
in Jakarta and specially packaged for additional protection
during transport. The works remained under constant surveillance and were subject to maximum security measures
until it was time for shipping or takeoff.
In early October, the consigned works arrived safe,
sound and on time in Utrecht. The exhibition opened its
doors on October 17, 2009. Over 35,000 art enthusiasts
visited the Centraal Museum over the next two and half
months. The exhibition was a huge success, due in great
part to the fact that some of the older works were being
put on public display for the first time anywhere outside
of Indonesia.
At the end of the exhibition, it was time to organize the
return transport to Indonesia. The artworks were all professionally packaged once again and sent back to Jakarta,
where they were received by M+R. Once the artworks arrived and before being returned to their respective owners, each one was examined a second time by an expert
from the Centraal Museum Utrecht to determine whether
any damage had occurred during transport.
Arnold van der Veen, Jakarta
TAKE-OFF
Eurocopter, a subsidiary of the European aeronautics and astronautics company EADS, is investing US$ 12 million for the construction of a Southeast Asia regional office in Singapore’s Seletar
Aerospace Park. With its 52 percent market share, Eurocopter is the
global leader in helicopter development and manufacturing. Over
10,500 of the company’s helicopters are in use in more than 140
countries.
The oil and energy sector has seen a dramatic boom in recent
years. In Southeast Asia, many companies are active in the offshore
sphere of this sector, and demand for small and medium-sized helicopters continues to grow. For distances of up to 400 kilometers,
a helicopter is the absolutely fastest mode of transport, “fast-tracking” the user to his destination in a very short time. And particularly
for crews working on oil platforms, a helicopter is just about the
only way to reach their place of work.
Applying to become an accredited logistics operator with Eurocopter represented a challenge for M+R Forwarding Singapore.
The application process is extremely complex, and only the best
are selected to transport the aircraft and aircraft parts. Part of the
challenge comes from the requirement that the machines can only
be loaded with certified claw arms, cranes, etc. Specially manufactured aircraft palette mounts prevent helicopters and parts from
slipping or falling to the ground.
Gareth Evans, Singapore
PANORAMA
17
PHOTO CHALLENGE
INTERNAL
The M+R Spedag Group’s corporate symbol is a rhombus. This geometric shape is seen more often in everyday life than one might expect. The rhombus can be
spotted as a decorative element, in modern architecutre, or even in nature!
The M+R Spedag Group is launching a photo competition on this theme. We invite all our employees, clients, partners and suppliers to submit to us their best
photos that feature rhombus in any way. We will display
the submissions in a digital gallery. Twice a year, we will
award a prize for the five best photographs. By submitting a photograph, the participant confirms that he or
she is the owner of this image. Photos which violate
third-party copyrights shall not be permitted. The M+R
Spedag Group reserves the right to deny participation
in the contest to submitted photos which may be considered morally, ethnically or otherwise objectionable.
There is no restriction as to the number of pictures
each participant is permitted to submit. However, individual participants may only receive one prize per round
of judging. The copyright to submitted photos remains
with the photographer. However, by participating in the
competition, the photographer consents to grant the
M+R Spedag Group permission to use submitted photos for its own ends, including for promotional purposes.
All photographs must be submitted in digital form
as a JPEG file. Email your pictures to photochallenge@
mrspedag.com. No more than one photo per email,
please. All emails must contain the name, address and
contact number of the sender, as well as the title of the
photo. We would appreciate, but do not require, information about where the picture was taken and and any
comments you may wish to add.
The management at M+R Spedag Group will appoint a jury to select the best of the submitted photos
twice a year. Selected photos will be awarded a prize.
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PANORAMA
ANNIVERSARIES
10 years
Max Aberer
Roman Battaglia
Ruth Biedermann
Petra Blümli
Jose Chow
Carlo De Laurentiis
Monika Frech
Dany Furet
Birgit Häringer
Claudia Heidrich
Walter Hugentobler
Rudolf Hügi
Bernadette Jourdan
Kirsten Kaiser
Elmar Kolb
Fabien Lehodey
Antonio Longhitano
Alfred Mamedow
Dieter Martin
Annabella Massafra
Amy Sun
Eckhard Süsskoch
Pattama Tongtidrum
Beatrice Wanner
Jiaqi Wen
Eva Wong
Sunny Yeung
Reiner Zimmermann
Muttenz
Muttenz
Gunzgen
Gunzgen
Hong Kong
Schaffhausen
Muttenz
Muttenz
Schaffhausen
Schaffhausen
Muttenz
Gunzgen
Muttenz
Muttenz
Schaffhausen
Hong Kong
Muttenz
Schaffhausen
Muttenz
Gunzgen
Shanghai
Muttenz
Bangkok
Muttenz
Shanghai
Hong Kong
Hong Kong
Schaffhausen
15 years
Ruth Beck
André Messerli
Simon Mokonyane
Christina Motloung
Maureen Setz
Beat Zbinden
Gunzgen
Gunzgen
South Africa
South Africa
Schaffhausen
Gunzgen
20 years
Andreas Hirschi
Lai Chi Kin
Clément Reinhart
Johanna Renggli
Freddy Rothmund
Sandra Schlegel
Almond Tse
Ingrid Winkler
Bp. Supriyono
Ibu Syahroni
Muttenz
Hong Kong
Muttenz
Muttenz
Schaffhausen
Muttenz
Hong Kong
Muttenz
Jakarta
Jakarta
25 years
Judith Nebel
Muttenz
30 years
Doris Ulinski
Muttenz
PANORAMA
19
And the winner is...
The country which is home to the current champions in tennis as well as soccer also uses the
rhombus as their symbol. Seen in the Spanish Village at Europapark Rust (Germany).
(Photographer: Daniel Richner)
A NEW CHALLENGE
In future, we will show on this page
photographs that have been submitted for our new photo challenge. The
above pictures are placeholders - we
are looking forward to presenting the
first contributions in our next issue.