Agility and Nokia Pioneer High-tech Supply Chain to Deliver Bottom-line Benefits
BAAR, Switzerland - September 6, 2011 - Agility, a leading global logistics provider, and Nokia have launched a major supply chain initiative resulting in significant reductions in transport cost, end-to-end transit time and carbon emissions, while offering increased visibility of inventory, high levels of security and stability of shipment transit.
A pilot trial over a period of two months on shipments from Hong Kong to Nokia’s ultra modern factory in Cluj, Romania, delivered double-digit cost savings on transportation, 100% on-time performance, zero damage to goods and succeeded in halving total transit time. The service is now live and in full operation. Due to the success of this program, Agility and Nokia have expanded the program to include mainland China.
The benefits are delivered by high-tech solutions that link Agility’s Hong Kong receiving center to Nokia’s factory in Cluj. The center – named the Nokia “Goods in Transit Center” (GIT-C) – is a key element in the solution and it is there that a number of innovative processes are implemented, each delivering real business benefits:
- Automated on-line booking tools enable vendors to automate the release process
- Carton level inventory is confirmed, providing inbound visibility for production planning
- Dedicated Nokia cargo space is secured through smart configuration of air carrier and cargo, resulting in elimination of waste in the air cargo supply chain
- The high-tech solution delivers accurate and comprehensive cargo information to the Nokia factory in Romania before the goods leave Hong Kong
Since data on inventory is captured in advance, the Nokia factory can begin the receiving process as soon as the shipment is airborne, saving significant time. Special handling arrangements at the Nokia factory enable break-down of one large unit in less than an hour – a substantial operational gain.
“As a world leader in our field, focus on innovation in our supply chain has been of critical importance to us,” said Robert Srumf, Director Global Logistics Service Provider Management & Inbound Logistics, Nokia. “From both economic and ecological standpoints, this approach creates a double win by decreasing cost as well as Co2 emission. Working closely together, we have brought our supply chain onto a new level. Agility helped us create what we were looking for – an efficient integrated supply chain solution – and very quickly too – with little elapsed time between concept and implementation.”
“The success of the program can be attributed to close collaboration across our combined teams,” said Essa Al-Saleh, President & CEO, Agility Global Integrated Logistics. “This enabled us to understand the needs and deliver a solution that is innovative, reliable and easily implementable. The result is lowering of costs, but also improved quality in the supply chain.”
About Nokia
Nokia is committed to connecting people to what matters to them by combining advanced mobile technology with personalized services. More than 1.3 billion people connect to one another with a Nokia, from our most affordable voice-optimized mobile phones to advanced Internet-connected smartphones sold in virtually every market in the world. Through our services, people also enjoy access to maps and navigation on mobile, a rapidly expanding applications store, a growing catalog of digital music, and more. Nokia's NAVTEQ is a leader in comprehensive digital mapping and navigation services, and Nokia Siemens Networks is one of the leading providers of telecommunications infrastructure hardware, software and professional services globally.
About Agility
From its roots in emerging markets, Agility brings efficiency to supply chains in some of the globe’s most challenging environments, offering unmatched personal service, a global footprint and customized capabilities in developed countries and emerging economies alike. A publicly traded company, Agility is one of the world’s leading providers of integrated logistics with close to $6 billion in annual revenue and more than 22,000 employees in 550 offices across 100 countries.
Agility's commercial business, Global Integrated Logistics (GIL), is headquartered in Switzerland. Agility GIL provides supply chain solutions to meet complex and traditional customer needs. GIL offers air, sea and road freight forwarding, warehousing, distribution and specialized services in project logistics, fairs and events, fuels and chemicals.
Agility's unique collection of portfolio businesses includes Agility Defense & Government Services, a logistics provider to governments, ministries of defense and international organizations. Agility's Infrastructure group of companies manages commercial and industrial real estate and offers solutions in customs optimization and clearance, waste management and recycling, aviation services, remote infrastructure and life support.
For more information about Agility, visit www.agilitylogistics.com