A major international company in the parapharmaceutical sector, during a period of rapid expansion in the Italian market, turned to aBCD Consulting to obtain both logistics expertise and temporary management support, with the responsibility of guiding the transition toward a new logistical–operational model.
The challenge
The company was facing two main challenges:
A significant increase in new store openings across the entire national territory, resulting in the need to manage a higher number of orders.
The intention to internalize warehouse activities by shifting them from a third-party logistics provider to a newly owned facility, while ensuring operational continuity and steady growth.
The new logistical and operational model needed to guarantee:
Customer service quality standards close to perfection.
Optimized operational processes.
Scalability to sustain and support future growth.
The solution
aBCD Consulting supported the company through every phase of the project, from preliminary analysis to the go-live of the new warehouse.
1. Initial analysis and scope definition:
Mapping of stakeholders and involved functions
(Ops, HR, IT, Legal, Supply Chain, Procurement, Quality, ecc.).
Analysis of AS-IS processes
at the 3PL warehouse and identification of key issues.
Benchmarking
against best practices from other group sites.
Alignment
with the construction site of the new warehouse and verification of delivery timelines.
2. Design of the new logistics model:
Design of the TO-BE layout
and operational flows, optimized for more than 30,000 SKUs.
Definition of logistics and IT requirements.
Gap analysis
between the current state and benchmark standards.
Planning
Workforce and equipment planning.
Collaboration with the IT department
for the selection and rollout of the new WMS.
3. Project planning and governance:
Development of a RACI matrix shared with management.
Definition of the transition plan and cutover strategy.
Coordination of all involved suppliers
(carriers, IT vendors, service providers).
Supervision of procurement plans
for equipment and infrastructure.
Budget and risk monitoring.
4. Relocation and start-up phase:
Briefings with staff and vendors
to ensure alignment on relocation activities.
Sequencing and transfer of inventory
in multiple waves, with precise checks on stock and systems.
Commissioning of IT infrastructure
(WMS, ERP, RF devices, printers).
Go-live of inbound and outbound operations at the new site.
On-site operational support
and staff training on new technologies.
Results
Thanks to the support of aBCD Consulting, the company successfully achieved the following objectives:
Guaranteed operational continuity throughout all phases of the transfer.
Increased operational capacity
the new warehouse can immediately handle 50% more orders.
Improved service quality
with reduced picking errors and faster order processing (1 day of lead time gained).
Reduction of average cost per order line (by 30%)
thanks to process review and insourcing.
Greater scalability
with a structure capable of supporting future growth in Italy up to 200% of the current volume.
with the goal of reducing costs and improving service for their customers.
