Pallet management in logistic companies: PAKi offers a solution for many challenges
The L.I.T. Group, headquartered in Brake, is a logistics service provider for national and international transports, the handling of air and sea freight, warehouse logistics, fleet management, personnel logistics and IT services. In the field of pallet management, the logistics company with around 3,000 employees at 49 locations in twelve countries has been relying on PAKi Logistics' services for several years now, for example for returning pallets to the open pool, settling pallet debts and for quality upgrades. Thanks to the Drop & Drive App and online accounting, L.I.T. handles the majority of all transactions conveniently online.
The L.I.T. Group, headquartered in Brake, is a logistics service provider for national and international transports, the handling of air and sea freight, warehouse logistics, fleet management, personnel logistics and IT services. In the field of pallet management, the logistics company with around 3,000 employees at 49 locations in twelve countries has been relying on PAKi Logistics' services for several years now, for example for returning pallets to the open pool, settling pallet debts and for quality upgrades. Thanks to the Drop & Drive App and online accounting, L.I.T. handles the majority of all transactions conveniently online.
Ennepetal, 17. February 2020 Pallet management can become an enormous cost factor for logistic companies if the processes are not structured and optimally coordinated. Transparent processes help to simplify handling. In order to increase the efficiency of its processes, L.I.T. therefore sought external support: For pallet management, the company uses almost all services of pooling service provider PAKi. PAKi offers flexible solutions for several of the forwarding company's problem areas. "With PAKi, we are more flexible towards our customers and thus improve our range of services," emphasises Sarah Bultmann, assistant to the commercial director and responsible for pallet management at L.I.T. " Together, we have found a solution for every challenge in pallet handling".
Flexible returning of small quantities and easy releasing of larger quantities
L.I.T. uses in particular the PAKi Spots to return very small quantities. However, it also uses them for the release of larger quantities of pallets, with which the company easily settles outstanding pallet debts in the pallet account. In terms of small quantities, L.I.T. is currently in the test phase of the PAKi Drop & Drive APP. Thanks to the app, returns can be viewed online by the pallet department at any time: A service that fits exactly into L.I.T.'s digitalisation concept. This is because the drivers simply returns pallets when they need free loading space for the next stop. "The test phase is going very well, especially since the app was already well developed at the start. We are in close contact with PAKi and discuss improvement suggestions together. If something doesn't work, they quickly work on solutions," says Sarah Bultmann.
The logistics company also releases pallets for PAKi. If L.I.T. does not have its own capacity for transporting them due to time pressure or larger quantities, PAKi picks them up. If the Brake-based company receives PAKi e-vouchers from retail partners at unloading points, the freight forwarder can use them to settle pallet debts with third parties without much effort. The switch to paperless voucher management went smoothly. "The digital pallet voucher management could be easily integrated into our process. It was clear to everyone involved what had to be done," says Bultmann. In addition to handling the e-voucher, PAKi also accepts and credits retail-owned pallet notes, for example from Netto. This makes administration even easier.
Another challenge that L.I.T. has solved with PAKi is the quality exchange: some of the company's customers require higher quality pallets. PAKI delivers these directly to the customer as required and in the desired quality. When exchanging pallet vouchers or returning pallet stock, PAKi offers a choice of five quality levels.
"Together, we have found a solution for every challenge in pallet handling" Sarah Bultmann,, assistant to the commercial director and responsible for pallet management at L.I.T.
Saving resources thanks to digitalisation and e-vouchers
L.I.T. also attaches importance to working in a resource-saving manner in all business areas. Bultmann explains: "Through the network of PAKi spots, we reduce the number of empty kilometres. This is very important to us, especially in terms of sustainability. At the unloading points that offer the PAKi e-Voucher, empty transports are even completely eliminated". But it is not only on the street, but also in the office that resources are conserved through digital services. In PAKi's online account, the pallet account is managed digitally - a step towards the paperless office.
In addition to the close cooperation and the wide range of solutions offered, L.I.T. also appreciates PAKi's high level of customer orientation, which makes everyday work easier. Sarah Bultmann takes stock: "We are very satisfied with the service provided by PAKi. We always have fixed contact persons who deal with our enquiries quickly. This is a great advantage in day-to-day business".
Further information about PAKi can be found at www.paki-logistics.com