‘Frequent same-day delivery’ is a phrase that is bandied about the industry by many a supplier, but what sort of logistics platform is needed to truly deliver on this promise? In this special report, PMF looks into how Marathon Warehouse Distribution has built an intelligent logistics network that holds to the same-day declaration.
When a factor looks for a supplier with an efficient logistics network, it is easy to focus on the delivery process. After all, one of the most effective ways of getting a brand name out there is by driving around the country in a delivery truck with a big logo plastered on the side of it.
However, to ensure quick delivery and end-user satisfaction, the most popular suppliers need to ensure the whole process is up to scratch, starting with an ordering platform that has all its stock at the fingertips of the customer.
Empowering the platform
Marathon’s own Empower system is just such a platform. It is a fast look-up system that allows factors to be on the phone to their customers, whilst simultaneously securing sales. The online trading platform hosts the company’s product database and gives instant pricing and availability information so that the factor has no need to call in.
There is even a failsafe, next-day mechanism for slow-moving parts. Once an order for a slow-moving component has been put through the system, it is then shipped overnight so that it arrives at the factor’s nearest Marathon distribution centre to go out on the first van of the next day.
Out for delivery
The heart of the whole Marathon operation, as well as the EuroFlo network, is the company’s National Distribution Centre (NDC) in Redditch. From this main complex, Marathon distributes parts across the UK to its 14 regional warehouses, so that factors benefit from a same-day service up to eight times a day.
Towards the end of the last quarter of 2017, the distribution centre count grew to 14 as the company announced that it was opening two new locations in the northwest and northeast – Warrington and Gateshead respectively. There are also advanced plans for another warehouse to be opened in Scotland, during the second quarter of 2018, to further enhance the company’s reach.
The NDC itself is made up of two warehouses; one for Marathon boxed products and one for EuroFlo emissions components, and has a combined floor space of 130,000 sq ft. At the beginning of the year, PMF was invited to the complex to find out more about the Marathon logistics network, and it quickly became clear that the warehouses are arranged to ensure the rapid movement of parts.
Each building is split over three floors, with the fastest moving components on the ground floor. Items are handpicked and put into tailored packages destined for specific distribution centres across the UK, depending on the need for stock replenishment. When it comes to slow moving components, they can be ordered through the previously mentioned Empower platform, and tagged onto the stock replenishment delivery so that no journey is a wasted one.
If the NDC is the heart, then the Marathon vehicles that make up the fleet are the constant flow of red blood cells carrying oxygen (parts) to where it’s needed most. With nine HGVs and around 200 vans and lighter vehicles, the fleet plays a crucial role in delivering a sameday service to areas that account for 85% of the UK population. What’s more is that the 15% that can’t be reached by same-day delivery have a next-day parcel service at their disposal to make sure their businesses are never left wanting.
A tricky product well dealt with
It is well known amongst suppliers and factors alike that exhausts are sometimes not the easiest of products to stock and distribute. They are large, often awkwardly-shaped components that, if sufficient care isn’t taken in transport, can be easily dented or damaged.
EuroFlo, the emissions side of the Marathon business, works much the same as the rest of the logistics network, but starts at the company’s ISO 9001:2008 accredited plant in Portugal. From there, EuroFlo products are shipped across to the UK in freight containers that have been carefully designed and organised to minimise possible damage, and then moved on to the NDC.
The company carries approximately 500,000 units nationwide with the majority of these being stocked in the Redditch warehouse for fast distribution to the 14 regional centres. Due to the awkward nature of the products, EuroFlo claims to be the only UK emissions supplier that can offer same-day delivery to the vast majority of its customers.
In the unlikely event of a warranty issue, customers can submit a quality control form through the EuroFlo website, www.euroflo.co.uk. The problem is then fully investigated and, if required, EuroFlo will arrange for its collection. Naturally, the reported issue is recorded on the company’s database and the customer is notified of any improvements to the service or even product specification. This returns and complaints system is just another string to the logistics network’s bow.
Keeping good company
Marathon stocks a very wide range of products from some big name brands in the aftermarket. The company aims to have an offering in most, if not all, product groups:
- Braking – NK, AUT-X, Bremsen, Icer, and AP
- Steering & Suspension – AL-KO, Ashika, FAI, Suplex, Link, and Shaftec
- Electrical – TorqueX, Rollco, Fuelparts, WAI, Kerr Nelson, New CRE, Bosch, Autolamps, Banner, and VSX batteries
- Engine – Lucas, Coopers Fiaam, Ashika, Fuelparts, FAI, and ContiTech
- Transmission – RYMEC, Shaftec, Bremsen, AP, and FTE
- Cooling – Airtex, Lucas, Serck Automotive, and Nissens
Alongside the more defined product groups, Marathon also has a number of additional ranges that encompass miscellaneous products from wiper blades to AdBlue, with brands such as Hella, Wiescher, Granville, and Wynn’s.
Knowledge gained from experience
The years spent building this distribution network has generated a wealth of knowledge on how best to stock and manage emissions components. EuroFlo is always happy to share this expertise with its customers through racking and branch support, as well as comprehensive stock profiling services.
Although the online platform presented by the company plays a large part in ensuring the profiling service succeeds, ultimately it is the fast delivery network, getting stock to customers when they need it, that makes it possible.
The combination of an automated online stock profiling service, and a logistics network that can act on the information that this provides, is a very attractive opportunity.
