Lower costs, higher efficiency, faster return on investment

The logistics industry is in a state of flux. "Although the covid pandemic seems some time ago, its effects are still visible," knows Kasper Stoffels, Head of Marketing at DistriSort. "For example, e-commerce has grown even faster and provisioning has partly given way to home delivery. Anno 2024, this trend is still continuing, although we also see people returning to the shopping street. This creates an interesting combination, to which logistics processes must be adapted." Simultaneously, DistriSort sees trends such as Artificial Intelligence emerging, simplifying process optimization. "Also, more and more companies are concerned with sustainability, in which we are happy to play a role."

The biggest challenge in the logistics sector, however, is the labor market, knows Hesse van Groningen, Head of Sales Europe at DistriSort. "Logistics personnel are becoming increasingly scarce and expensive. Automation can be a solution in this case. Because machines take over the monotonous, highly repetitive and non-ergonomic tasks, the logistics employees who are available are relieved of a considerable burden. This increases their job satisfaction and sustainable employability. Two key themes in attracting, binding and retaining personnel."

High efficiency, low cost

"In the market, we regularly see companies that cannot grow because there are not enough people available to handle this growth," Van Groningen says. "We are happy to support these companies with automation. We are also a much sought-after partner for new companies in, for example, the fashion and retail sectors, which are growing rapidly and want to explore the possibilities for mechanical or automation solutions. For example, to embed costs." Stoffels: "Characteristic of our sorting solutions is that they reduce sorting costs and error margins, while at the same time companies increase their efficiency and speed. Both for inbound, outbound and return shipments."

Turn-key approach

DistriSort specializes in small to medium sized sorting solutions. From split-tray and push-tray to cross-tray solutions. "We offer a turn-key approach for postal and parcel services and companies in fashion, consumer goods, books, pharmaceuticals and more," Stoffels said. "From professional advice to final delivery. Our solutions are based on more than 20 years of (international) knowledge and expertise in different markets, integrating best practices, case studies and user experiences." As an example, he mentions the sorting solution for women's brand Norah's new warehouse in Alkmaar, from where more than 100 stores in the Netherlands and Belgium are supplied, efficiently combining incoming and outgoing goods, returns and ecommerce. "We also supplied various sorting solutions for LPP and Logistar (Sportvision's 3PL), enabling their store deliveries to be carried out as quickly and efficiently as possible. And we have also been able to provide our solutions for well-known postal and parcel services and pharmaceutical companies."

New systems

"Companies that are not yet automated, we like to take them step by step through the possibilities," Van Groningen emphasizes. "In doing so, we naturally first map out the current logistics processes, products and services. Where is optimization possible and/or desired? What developments are expected toward the future? And what solution fits this? From picking to outbound, while maintaining the existing logistical strengths. Our sorting solutions are not a goal, but a means to achieve the business objectives. Quickly, efficiently and at the lowest possible cost."

Integration into existing systems

Following new applications, DistriSort's sorting solutions also lend themselves well to companies that are already partially automated. "We actively cooperate with other integrators, which means that interfaces with existing conveyor, picking and storage systems and controls are often very easy to make," Van Groningen said. "Our sorting solutions have a compact design, which also makes them excellent for integration into small spaces. This allows companies to increase their capacity and efficiency without the need for (expensive) expansion of square footage. Also, our systems are easy to handle and maintain with almost any service equipment."

Well-considered choices

All findings are worked out by DistriSort into a recommendation, a 2D and 3D drawing, a budget quotation and - at a later stage - a detailed quotation. "We also make a Return of Investment (ROI) calculation, clearly showing investment costs and payback time," Stoffels said. "If required, we can also make simulations with various sorting solutions. From simple to complex, based on which clients can make informed choices."