SBS Worldwide's project to have customers 'ship fewer containers' may not sound like good business strategy, but it is a winning formula for customers and SBS alike.
The privately-owned company was named winner of the Ocean Freight Award at the annual BIFA Freight Service Awards, announced in London yesterday. This is the second time in three months that SBS Worldwide has won a prestigious logistics industry award, as it was named Freight Forwarder of the Year at the IFW Awards last October.
"We actively help our customers to reduce the number of containers they need, and the number of container moves they need to make," explains Nick Walker, SBS Worldwide Group Managing Director. "It does mean we are reducing our own revenue, but it also means we build excellent customer loyalty and win more business."
Each of the three elements in the 'ship fewer containers' project - eDC, container loading configuration software and slipsheets - produces significant benefits in its own right. But used together, the benefits are multiplied.
"We have designed our eDC software for the publishing industry, shipping from printers in China to customers around the world, but it can be applied to any industry seeking to cut delivery times, reduce inventory and carbon emissions while at the same time improving service to end customers," explains Nick Walker.
The combination of slipsheets and container loading configuration software can increase loading in a container by 10-30%. For every container the customer no longer needs to ship, the costs of freight, insurance, demurrage, devanning and surcharges are saved.
"And, just as significantly as the savings, our customers benefit from greater control over their products, ensuring they can be quickly shipped to the area of greatest demand. This increases their own customers' satisfaction while helping reduce levels of obsolete stock."
The judges said "SBS Worldwide was chosen as the deserved winner of this award for their innovative ideas and best-of-breed IT solutions which were spread throughout the business. They displayed the willingness to be different in order to maintain long-term business relationships. Significant investments were made, and lean processes adopted, which notably enhanced the customer experience."
SBS Worldwide offers global transport and logistics services, including oceanfreight, airfreight, courier and bespoke supply chain design and management. The company employs almost 200 staff in nine facilities across the UK and US and has recently established a presence in Hong Kong and China.