customer case

Stock management in the maritime industry? Definitely a job for Pon Logistics!

What started out in 2020 as a stock analysis and exploration of how stock management can be improved has now grown into a valuable collaboration. In January 2022, Pon Logistics started insourcing MAN Rollo’s stock management. The reason? The maturity of stock management at Pon Logistics, which is why the initial discussions were held quickly. The result? “A win-win-win situation for three parties,” says Hans Carels, head of Pon Logistics’ Service & Supply department. MAN Rollo is an international importer of the brand MAN and has supplied diesel and gas engines to the industrial and maritime sectors for over 100 years.

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Exploring

As every client is different, every project starts by getting to know each other, getting to know the company and scrutinizing the current stock-related strategy and general strategy. Interviews with various stakeholders provide a lot of useful information. Project leader Vera van Manen explains: “We often see a very well-considered business strategy, but a less well-considered conversion into the stock strategy (What is the purpose of your stock?). The decision rules that form the basis of stock management often receive less attention as well. Together, MAN Rollo and Pon Logistics have now established the stock strategy and corresponding targets.”

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Implementation process

Once the strategy and stock targets were defined, the implementation process began. Hans Carels: “Since May, we have been conducting operational stock management for MAN Rollo and working with colleagues on site in order to achieve the stock targets.” An Inventory Planner from Pon Logistics is on site at MAN Rollo on a weekly basis. “This enables us to be close to the customer, know what is going on and be on hand to discuss any questions and ideas,” says Inventory Planner Pauline Melchers. “We determine what, when and how much stock is to be ordered within the agreed frameworks. We also follow up the delivery to the MAN Rollo DC. The target is very ambitious, but that suits a company such as MAN Rollo. We want to deliver at least 95% of orders in full to the customer within 48 hours and without any discrepancies.”

Standing out

MAN Rollo operates in the maritime industry. In this industry, stock management can become complex and a high level of service is required. This suits Pon Logistics well. Hans Carels: “We focus on companies with a high level of service, where high availability makes all the difference. These kinds of companies do not necessarily select the party that guarantees the lowest price; instead, they select the party that provides the best level of service. We are good at tackling complex situations and implementing policy focused on service.”

Win-win-win situation

There was a major advantage in the implementation process for MAN Rollo. Pon Logistics has been managing the stock for MAN Truck & Bus for some time now. Both parties benefit from bringing in MAN Rollo. After all, the work would be completed by the same people, the range would remain the same and the systems would be partially integrated. This made the work much more efficient and created a real win-win-win situation for all three parties.

The result is worth it

The project was launched in January 2021 and the real work started in April. Hans: “The first results were already noticeable by the summer. The office sales team at MAN Rollo says that availability has significantly improved, they can sell more as a result and the customers and mechanics are very happy with that. The stock proposition is starting to become effective. We hear from both the management team, the office sales team and the planning team that stock levels have improved. This helps a planner to schedule a service technician and the available materials, for example. We are all very happy with that.”
In short, a successful project where there is still much to be achieved. The Supply Chain team at Pon Logistics works with many different industries and products. We employ stock specialists who continue to develop and learn throughout their careers. It is precisely the range of issues and an ability to learn from each other that makes the team so strong.

We are happy to make room for new customers.

Interested? Feel free to contact us without any obligation.