Since Japanese automotive company Toyota adopted a Just-in-Time (JIT) strategy for managing the arrival of raw materials for production in 1970s, the philosophy has increasingly influenced operations across the world. Now, ongoing uncertainties for British suppliers emanating from Brexit, the pandemic and the Russia-Ukraine conflict have caused concerns for JIT manufacturers dependent on global supply chains.
This is why logistics companies are deploying new strategies to streamline their supply chains. European road freight specialist Europa Road, for example, created its market-first Money Back Guarantee to ensure time-critical deliveries and offer peace of mind for customers.
The first business looking for a guaranteed delivery was Manchester-based business who supplies raw materials for a German industrial binding and coating powder manufacturer. Because these powders are used in the variety of JIT applications, including the production of automotives, mission-critical equipment and electrical/electronics, Europa’s customer relies on goods arriving on agreed delivery dates.
A spokesperson at the company said: “When you have time-critical shipments, you need the reassurance from your chosen logistics firm that your items will arrive by the agreed date. For us, if deliveries are late or delayed, production in our customer’s facility might need to stop. This has financial repercussions for all parties and huge knock-on effect on the supply chain.
“Europa’s Money Back Guarantee offers us peace of mind, knowing that deliveries will meet an agreed delivery date. Furthermore, when used with the company’s innovative Delivery Duty Paid (DDP) service, Europa Flow, we are also guaranteed a seamless flow of goods into EU countries without the hassle emanating from incomplete paperwork.”
Europa Flow was launched at the start of 2021 in response to the UK’s departure from the European Union (EU). The service takes care of import VAT payments, customs declarations and duty requirements in advance of shipment arrivals, providing a seamless movement of goods from the UK into the EU.
They continued: “The service has been amazing, and our delivery arrived in Germany, as agreed, on the scheduled date. We shall continue to make use of Europa Flow, with the Money Back Guarantee going forward”.
Adrian Redmile, Network and Sales Director at Europa Worldwide Group commented: “The Money Back Guarantee has demonstrated complete confidence in our Europa Flow service and has been instrumental in providing reassurance for JIT suppliers and manufacturers.
“For example, we have noticed a huge uptake in the Guarantee for material and mineral suppliers, which are some of the highest valued sectors for UK exports. Furthermore, we are noticing pick up across retail and packaging, demonstrating the need for guaranteed delivery services for shorter deadlines.
“Our UK and Ireland branches are seeing a steady increase month-on-month in the number of shipments being booked through Europa Flow, using the Money Back Guarantee. Whether they are UK-based manufacturers, material suppliers or retail startups, every customer using the Money Back Guarantee is offered the same promise: we will deliver consignments on time, or it’s completely free.”
Europa Worldwide Group is an ambitious independent logistics operator with three divisions, Europa Road, Europa Air & Sea, and Europa Warehouse, and has been featured in The Sunday Times Top Track 250 for three years. Europa has invested £5 million in its innovative market-leading product, Europa Flow, providing a frictionless flow of goods between the EU and the UK post Brexit. The group employs over 1,400 people with 29 international sites in the UK, the Republic of Ireland, Europe, Hong Kong, China and the UAE. The global operator recently reported a record turnover of £302m for the last 12 months, as of August 2022, and remains on track with its ambitious investment programme.
Manufacturing & Engineering Magazine | The Home of Manufacturing Industry News
