Big jumps, fast on location

Working smart in logistics can yield significant savings. As a new logistics platform for supply chain management, the company Kangaroo offers a very special solution: as a single party, the platform literally delivers "everything" a customer needs. Always on time and based on the two-bin principle. However, the original (price) agreements with the original manufacturer remain in place, so that trusted relationships continue to participate.

Buying from a wholesaler that stocks almost everything in large quantities is often the cheapest solution. But also a rigid one. When products are not included in the assortment, companies still have to order them elsewhere. Even contact with the original manufacturer to make (price) agreements or to have a standard product modified is often not an option with a wholesaler. 

The Kangaroo logistics platform was developed by two born entrepreneurs who have extensive experience with logistics systems for the manufacturing industry as well as their limitations. That is why they started developing a new platform from scratch, using the latest insights and possibilities. Both in terms of hardware and software.

Central to this are the components and parts that a customer's production uses for assembly. These are replenished via a two-bin principle: when a tray containing, for example, bolts is empty, it is removed and a full tray is ready for further use. The empty bin is placed in the Kangaroo supply box, where the RFID tag is automatically scanned. This information - about product type, quantity and so on - is then forwarded to Kangaroo headquarters. Here, a new order is placed with the manufacturer, after which the products are delivered to site by Kangaroo upon receipt. The full trays are placed in the right place at the factory; the empty trays from the supply box go back with them. 

"So much for the classic two-bin principle," indicates director Martijn Zuidmeer. "But Kangaroo goes further. We already told about hardware and software. When it comes to hardware, it's not only about the innovative RFID scanning systems, but also about the durable warehouse bins that we can supply in different colors and sizes based on customer requirements. Even the position in the rack and the information and layout of the label can be customized."

In terms of software, Zuidmeer points to the online portal where customers have an overview of all their ordered and pending products. A number of things stand out. First, there is no fixed assortment, but customers can buy anything that is sold by manufacturers. Zuidmeer: "What is special about this is that the existing agreements between our customers and their suppliers continue to exist when we take over the logistics for these products. In this way we ensure that current suppliers are not adversely affected by the implementation of Kangaroo. Thus, already 130 suppliers work with this concept without any problems. They do not experience the rigidity of a wholesaler, but the flexibility of Kangaroo. Moreover, as a customer you get exactly the product you have selected yourself from a specific manufacturer; no alternatives or other brands. By now we are not surprised by anything, the range goes from fasteners to wipers, from electronics to hydraulics. Whether it's cleaning products or boxes of Cup-a-Soup, Kangaroo ensures that there is always sufficient stock. Moreover, the approach remains personal. A regular driver comes to deliver the goods at agreed times and is immediately the regular point of contact for all kinds of questions."

He continues: "Finally, we do more than 'blindly' deliver the ordered products. We also actively think along and monitor both time, costs and environmental impact with our Smart Kanga Calculator. For example, by bundling orders or adjusting the quantities per shipment, the environmental impact and thus the CO2 footprint can be reduced. And if you order much more or less of a certain product because of changes in your own production, we will signal this and suggest a more appropriate order size. Moreover, Kangaroo is always eager to make big leaps in other areas. Supplying subassemblies, for example. Or taking over inventory administration. You name it."