Leading operational logistics and fulfilment equipment and consumables supplier, Southgate Global, is urging organisations to service equipment, and ensure consumables are stocked up, ahead of peak season to avoid downtime and boost peak season profits.
October is traditionally the start of peak, which runs until January, renowned as the busiest time of the year for logistics and the supply chain. Consumers in the UK alone were found to have spent a total of £8.71 billion over the course of Black Friday in 2022.
The season provides a great opportunity for organisations to capitalise on the increased demand for capacity. At the same time, if equipment such as carts, trolleys and strapping, wrapping and taping machines aren’t in full operational condition, it can cause major disruption to the entire supply chain as they all work in tandem.
Recent research revealed 82% of companies have experienced some amount of unplanned downtime in the last few years, on average these can last at least four hours each.
John Maher, Head of Technical Services at Southgate Global, explains the importance of having warehouse equipment serviced to ensure your operations run smoothly with reliable performance during this period.
He said: “Unplanned downtime during vital seasonal peak can be extremely detrimental, with many businesses only realising this when the worst has already happened as they try to use the equipment they need. Organisations are working to tighter turnaround times with increased orders at this time, so the need for a smooth operation is vital. There is no space for error, and having reliable equipment is a key factor in this.
“However, sometimes equipment may unexpectedly breakdown, it’s inevitable, and for those who find themselves in this situation during peak season, the ability to react fast is essential.
“One way to avoid this unplanned downtime is to book regular equipment servicing and maintenance programmes. This acts as a preventative action, to capture any malfunctions early, spot components that are beginning to fail and turn potential major slowdowns into manageable repairs. It also increases the life expectancy of the equipment improving the return on that investment, reduces capital expenditure and, by repairing rather than replacing, it reduces your carbon footprint.
“Not to mention the vital role servicing plays in workplace safety, if a malfunction does occur, it doesn’t just impact your operations but can also be a serious threat to the safety of employees. Essentially, being proactive about equipment maintenance is key.
Serving over 3,000 customers in more than 20 countries around the world Southgate has a range of operational logistics and fulfilment solutions that support some of the biggest organisations in the key sectors including 3PL, e-commerce, retail, post & parcel and general manufacturing.
A major player in its range of end-to-end solutions is its technical services offer. With a specialist team of technicians, Southgate provides maintenance, repair, and renovation services to the equipment both Southgate, and others, supply.
John said: “Whether you’re looking to get your WAT machine checked or a pallet wrapper serviced, our focus is on keeping businesses moving. It doesn’t matter how big, or small, the equipment is, in the fast-moving world of logistics where time is of the essence, especially during peak season for e-commerce customers who can’t afford to have delays caused by equipment downtime, the investment must be made to stay on top of servicing and maintenance.”
From ad hoc repairs to regular maintenance, customers can choose from a mobile technical service team that visits on-site or ships to its strategically located European service clinics.
To find out more about how you can avoid peak season downtime contact the Southgate team at enquiries@southgateglobal.com or call them on +44(0)1553 692969.
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