The Logistics Podcast

The future of warehousing, 3D printing, mini power stations, artificial intelligence and blockchain all feature in the latest episode of The Logistics Podcast.Supply chains have faced the ultimate test in recent months. COVID-19 has shined a light on business models, disrupting the norm, forcing operators to think differently.In the second of a series of thought leadership interviews from Leidos UK – the science and technology logistics operator – editor Kirsty Adams discusses supply chain resilience and technology with Richard Wilding, Professor of Supply Chain Strategy at Cranfield School of Management, and non-executive director for Leidos UK’s logistics division, in the latest episode of The Logistics Podcast.Read the first interview of the series with Damian Alexander, vice president and managing director of Leidos UK's logistics division, here.

Royal Air Force Air Vice Marshal Richard Hill discusses how key technologies are transforming the Ministry of Defence in the latest episode of The Logistics Podcast. This episode, sponsored by Leidos UK, Hill explores how COVID-19 - as well as being a tragic set of circumstances - has been an accelerator of innovation and change.He discusses 3D Printing; and reflects on a future where a plumber may print plastic pipes, t-pieces and taps when building a hospital at a deployed location, rather than engaging a large supply chain.He also talks about the challenge to replace armies of middle managers assessing and analysing data—with software. This is the third in a series of interviews from science and technology logistics operator, Leidos UK. Read articles from the series on www.shdlogistics.com and listen to podcast episode Building Supply Chain Resilience with non-executive director of Leidos UK - Prof. Wilding.

With salons closed until very recently, there's been high demand from consumers for beauty products, especially salon-quality nail gels and home hair dyes. That's according to Sarah Booth, account director, Supply Chain, UK and Ireland for XPO Logistics. Some of XPO’s customers in the beauty and personal care sectors have witnessed an increase in demand of between 200% and 300% for their products.In the latest episode of The Logistics Podcast, Booth discusses the experience of retail beauty brands during the pandemic.Also, hear industry news from deputy editor James Burman and a property update from property editor David Thame.

COVID-19 has exposed vulnerabilities in supply chains, according to Maureen O’Shea, Operations Lead Partner for KPMG (https://home.kpmg/xx/en/home.html) . In the latest episode of The Logistics Podcast, O’Shea says now is the time to examine market demand, supplier relationships and to take bold steps.   She’s joined by Shane Brennan, chief executive of the Cold Chain Federation (https://www.coldchainfederation.org.uk/) . According to Shane, the food supply chain has performed well and shown resilience during the pandemic. He updates us on collaborations that have taken place in the last mile between competitors and the reconfiguration of the demand pattern.   Charlie Walker from 3PL Walker Logistics (https://www.walkerlogistics.com/) – the e-fulfilment specialist which experienced a 400% increase in online orders during April – shares insight on how investing in technology has helped onboard new customers and improve flexibility during unprecedented peaks.   Expect key tips and advice from these leading voices which you can apply to your own operation.   In this episode, you’ll hear the highlights of SHD Logistics’ first webinar entitled Collaborating over unprecedented peaks. To watch the Webinar on demand click here (https://event.on24.com/eventRegistration/EventLobbyServlet?target=reg20.jsp&partnerref=INTindustrialWebsite&eventid=2311753&sessionid=1&key=F1CB5DB71C569E269798940D24831DB7&regTag=&sourcepage=register) .

Deputy Editor James Burman takes a trip to Nottingham city centre to interview Chris Holmes and James Turpin from NHS Supply Chain.   In the first of a series of ‘Out of Office’ interviews with winners from last year’s Logistics awards, NHS Supply Chain had a lot to say about the challenges and rewards of facilitating the logistics operation behind the country’s national health service – no easy task. The company walked away with the of the Editor’s Choice award for its transformation project, so the Logistics Podcast was keen to hear about how they manage the pressures associated with such a wide and unique product portfolio. For more information about how to attend, or even enter the 2020 Logistics Awards, visit the website here (htto:www.logisticsawards.co.uk) .

Step aside Sir David Attenborough, get on your boat Greta, this episode it’s SHD Logistics’ turn to tackle plastic waste. We talk to Unipart Logistics on how it removed single-use plastic from Sky’s supply chain before heading to London’s West End to meet the co-founder of Garçon Wines, Santiago Navarro. Santiago and his team have developed the first flat wine bottle, made from 100% recycled plastic, which fits through a UK letterbox. A standard sized pallet can transport 2.5 times as many of these flat wine bottles as the average round, glass wine bottle.   Listen to hear practical advice and ambitious plans for plastic-free supply chain domination.

The Logistics Podcast learned what year-round care and compassion look like on a recent visit to GEFCO’s Coventry warehouse, which won our Wellbeing Initiative Award in September. Retention of engaged staff, fewer absences and close teams are just some of the business benefits.    GEFCO Incentives include free fish & chips, free health checks, free haircuts, free camping festivals for family and friends… Its ‘brew days’ – where teams stop, gather, have a cuppa and chat about how they are – have led to team members opening up about problems, which they’ve then received support for.   We met warehouse operative Kevin, who was one of 50 staff who completed a Coventry to Paris bike ride, something which he told me relaxed everyone – at every level – and brought staff closer together. Then you have the mental health first aiders, trained and qualified to listen to personal issues which may be causing a staff member stress.   If you’ve implemented a successful wellbeing programme at your operation, register your interest in entering the Wellbeing Initiative Award in 2020 (https://www.logisticsawards.co.uk/en/forms/register-your-interest-2020.html) .

This episode we grill Oxford Street shoppers on their Black Friday bargains and discuss the impact of consumerism with some Extinction Rebellion protestors nearby. Then we take you to DHL Supply Chain’s TK Maxx in Coventry to speak with Jim Hartshorne, MD retail & consumer, DHL Supply Chain. We also share figures from Barclays, KPMG and high street tracker BDO. Here are some facts from Black Friday 2019. Barclaycard said transaction value was up 16.5% on Black Friday compared with last year, with the volume of transactions up 7.2%. According to BDO’s High Street Sales Tracker, the week of Black Friday provided retailers with a much-needed boost, with in-store and non-store sales soaring by 24% and 28% respectively.  42% of Brits wouldn’t be engaging in the sales bonanza at all according to research by KPMG.

British brand Denby tackles packaging at the UKWA Annual Luncheon and SHD Logistics editor Kirsty Adams joins an international audience at the recent ReBOUND Conference to discuss fast fashion.

Interviews with Ocado, XPO Logistics, Diamond Logistics and JLL are featured on the IMHX 2019 Preview podcast. Digital twinning, Brexit and urban logistics are some of the trending topics covered by our guests which include Alex Harvey, general manager for warehouse automation & embedded systems, Ocado Technology and Gavin Williams – supply chain managing director – UK&I, XPO Logistics. Alex and Gavin will be speaking at IMHX 2019 which takes place between 24 & 27 September. Also hear from visitor Daniel Allen from Diamond Logistics on his business’ Brexit preparations and why he’ll be at the networking event of the year.

Chaos at Westminster over a no-deal Brexit is not necessarily transferring into UK warehouses - at least not for Gavin Williams, managing director at XPO Logistics or Andrew Baxter, managing director of Europa Worldwide Group. The business leaders share how they’re preparing for no-deal (and have been for a while...).

How much power does your warehouse need? In the latest episode of ‘Out of office’ from The Logistics Podcast, Simon Cox, first vice president, project management & sustainability officer at property developer Prologis UK, tells us what he thinks.   The cost of energy is going up due to new demands on our power supplies. Electricity has always powered lighting, the office but now we’re powering electric forklift trucks, automation and digital technology too… Simon also discusses multi-storey developments in Japan, a new era of collaboration between landlord and tenant, data flows and data-driven decision making. He also shares how intervention by local authorities in the Netherlands is prohibiting gas installation and paving the way for zero carbon buildings.

Black Friday, Singles Day and Talent in Logistics are the focus of this month’s docu-podcast brought to you by SHD Logistics. We hear from James Hyde of James and James Fulfilment, Dominic Hebbard of Hermes, Colin Donnelly of Sainsbury’s Argos and Hannah Chapman of Ava May Aromas on how they’re preparing for the biggest event in the UK retail sector’s calendar. Claire Piotrowski, head of future talent at Kuehne & Nagel, answers our questions on the new T-Level qualifications and Kerry Salisbury, future talent advisor for AO Logistics, shares some impressive stats. The episode also includes a property update from property editor David Thame and the latest news from assistant editor David Tran.

Gayle is responsible for parcel activity out of Ted Baker’s three main distribution centre hubs - in Derby for distribution activities in the UK, in Atlanta for the US, and Hong Kong. This encompasses the distribution of products via e-commerce and products that go into its retail stores.  She talks to SHD Logistics Assistant Editor David Tran about which retailers’ logistics activities most inspires her and whether the global remit of her position is as glamorous as it is cut out to be. Gayle also discusses her main interests away from work, while David also poses the question as to whether she puts her logistics skills to good use by throwing on a party in celebration of her 40th birthday this month. Gayle features in the SHD June magazine in an extended profile interview - http://www.shdlogistics.com/issues/june-2019  The Logistics 100 To view the list of the 100 of the UK’s top logisticians of 2019, then please go to our Logistics 100 (http://www.shdlogistics/logistics100) page.    Get in touch Follow us on Twitter @shdlogistics (https://twitter.com/shdlogistics) Find us on Instagram @shd_logistics (https://www.instagram.com/shd_logistics/)

Budweiser Brewing Group (https://budweiserbrewinggroup.co.uk/age-gate/) is the world’s leading brewer which includes favourite brands Stella Artois, Budweiser, and Bud Light. Its site in Magor, Wales is their beacon light in warehouse operational innovation, with an automated design that can store 23m pints of beer. Opened in October 2018, this is the company’s first installation of a multi-deep storage solution. The installation also helps to meet the company’s 2025 Sustainability Goals, which includes the target of a 25% reduction to carbon emissions across its value chain against a 2017 baseline – the equivalent of taking more than 1.5 million cars off the road each year. Warehousing specialist John Tudball spoke to delegates at last month’s event about the 80,000 cubic metre highbay site in the southeast of the country, including the movement of its 14,500 pallets and how it uses its 13 miles of racking effectively.

The National Health Service is the largest public service organisation in the UK. However, as the NHS is facing rising costs, increasing and an ageing population, the organisation has to find ways of becoming more cost-efficient.  In 2016, Lord Carter published a report which identified unwarranted variation in procurement across the NHS. To ensure delivery of consumable medical supplies are cost-efficient and consistently on time, the NHS devised a supply chain operating model that is aligned to Lord Carter’s vision. At the SHD Logistics Conference, held earlier this week at the historic British Museum in London, Supply Chain Director Chris Holmes and Head of Logistics James Turpin from NHS Supply Chain came on stage as this year’s keynote speakers to discuss the Future Operating Model, as part of an organisational strategy designed to save £2.4bn over the next five years.

Will robots shut the door on humans in warehouses? What impact could human displacement have on society? This episode we debate the role of the human in logistics. We’re joined by Vin Grainger, solutions director at [iForce](https://www.iforcegroup.com/); Peter Ward, chief executive of the [UKWA](https://www.ukwa.org.uk/) and Prof. John Manners Bell, managing director of research consultancy [Transport Intelligence](https://www.ti-insight.com/). The UK Ministry of Defence is rolling out its £6.5bn Logistics Commodities and Services Transformation programme. We interview the man in charge, Damian Alexander. Expect the usual update from property editor David Thame and the news from assistant editor David Tran.

All-electric delivery company Gnewt delivered its 500,000th parcel for ASOS the week the Ultra Low Emission Zone hit London (ULEZ). Gnewt – which was acquired by Menzies Distribution in 2017 – is emissions-free therefore hasn’t suffered the same frustrations as some of its competitors under new ULEZ regulations. Kirsty Adams interviews founder of Gnewt Sam Clarke and driver Jose on the last metre, electric-charging infrastructure, its partnership with ASOS and future plans for on-foot porters. Join Kirsty for this ‘Out of office’ episode which takes listeners to London’s rainy congested streets. The next docu-podcast will be released on 7 May and is entitled ‘Humans plus robots’. Until then.

[XPO Logistics](https://www.xpo.com/) UK supply chain managing director Gavin Williams is one of the company’s key figureheads driving the company’s automation plans. These include the rollout of some 5,000 cobots across warehouses in North America and Europe, and the launch of a new automated distribution centre in Leicestershire next year with confectionery company Nestlé, dubbed the ‘warehouse of the future’. Gavin speaks to SHD Logistics assistant editor David Tran about XPO’s investment and resource in warehousing automation, gearing ahead to his speaking session at the [SHD Logistics Conference](https://www.logisticsconference.co.uk/en/home.html) at London’s British Museum on Tuesday 14th May.

SHD Logistics editor Kirsty Adams visited [Europa Worldwide Group](http://www.europa-worldwide.com/)’s 1Hub in Dartford this week, the day after Theresa May’s second deal was slammed by MPS in the Commons. Dan Cook, group operations director for Europa Road, left one of many Brexit meetings he’s been having, to tell The Logistics Podcast about the preparations they’re putting in place in case of an unwelcome no-deal outcome on 29 March.