From 120 down to 30: Logistics productivity boost

In fact, the situation was problematic in almost every respect – in terms of cost-effectiveness, capacity and efficiency, not only for Vetropack but also for our freight forwarders; occupational safety for our forklift drivers was another issue; and then there were problems with sustainability and CO₂ emissions resulting from truck waiting times. We’ve already been using the ELOGATE tool in our logistics at Vetropack for a long time. It includes some impressive functions, one of which is time window management (or TWM). But what does that actually mean in practice? Forwarders receive a transport order from the dispatcher with a note advising them that a loading time slot must be booked, so they know they have to go to Vetropack. 

In Phase 1 (which is running at present), the trucks have a time slot of 2.5 hours which they should keep to. If the trucks arrive in Pöchlarn within this time and are registered in the dispatch office, the forklift drivers will see this on their tablets: they can then attend to those trucks as scheduled, and give them priority treatment. This arrangement delivers economic as well as environmental benefits for both sides. 

A monitoring system was also designed and introduced for the Pöchlarn site: this aims to make the forwarders aware of TWM performance. We then set up a monthly reporting system on the basis of the monitor. This made it possible to let the forwarders know how the time slots were booked, and whether the timings were adhered to. We held joint meetings with forwarders to develop various improvement strategies – because it’s essential for all stakeholder groups to work together so that the tool’s functions can really be utilised to full potential. 

After only a short time, the success of these steps could already be proven: thanks to interaction between the system and a highly functional team, loading times have been reduced from an average of two hours to only 30 minutes. As well as reducing throughput times, TWM is delivering a number of positive side effects:

• A daily loading peak is levelled out, so forklift drivers are relieved of pressure (occupational safety), and the same applies to dispatch office staff.
• Personnel deployment is optimised.
• Truck waiting costs are reduced.
• Productivity is increased, both for Vetropack and for our customers.
• CO2 emissions are reduced thanks to shorter waiting times.

This is a success story for the whole industry. Our Pöchlarn team has already been able to join forces with the system operator to help other companies overhaul their logistics processes in similar ways.