Posts Tagged ‘warehouse
Vending Taken to New Heights
Vending Machines are used throughout modern day life so much so they are just taken for granted and now probably go almost unnoticed unless you are thirsty or hungry!
Historically it is thought that early machines existed that could have been described as vending machines but the modern machines did not come into wider use until the industrial revolution. The first vending machine was used in London in the 1880’s to dispense Post Cards, closely followed in the USA to dispense gum in the New York Train stations.
Now vending is being taken to new heights, with vending of non-food consumables for large organisations in place of costly stock control and requisition processes. Bespoke vending with Wurlitzer machines means that configuration is now performed by Bishopsgate to the customer’s exact requirements to dispense their chosen fast moving repeat use products.
E-Tradeways’ www.e-tradeway.co.uk, as Wurlitzers’ UK distributor of consumable vending, USP is the addition of real time telemetry capturing critical data on usage and stock levels which is invaluable to E-Tradeways’ customers and replaces the traditional “stock room control” function.
Bishopsgate provide the full logistics function of E-Tradeway from collection in Europe, storage, configuration and final delivery, placement and set up of all machines.
Items vended to date include; Medical consumables, Solvents, Glues and adhesives, Batteries, Hacksaw blades, Stationary, and H&S personal protection.
Card readers are fitted to facilitate relevant members of customers’ staff to vend as they require.
Following complete configuration and final delivery and placement at the exact location of the end users site, Bishopsgate connect the card reader and Wi-Fi Ariel cable before testing the complete vending operation as well as the live telemetry.
Bishopsgate have configured and delivered machines for Sigma Aldrich into the Cambridge Institute of Medical Research, The London Underground and the MOD to date with many more orders underway.
So if you need more than just a delivery service then the solution is Bishopsgate.
N Joseph Woodland; Born 6th Sep 1921 – Died 9th Dec 2012
You may well ask WHO? We at Bishopsgate have a lot to thank him for!
Joseph Woodland invented Barcode Scanning in the early 1950’s, although it took time for technology to catch up in the 1970’s when UPC (Universal Product Code) became widely used to revolutionise Supply Chain Management. His work was recognised in his lifetime when he was awarded The National Medal of Technology by the US Government.
That logical step of producing an individual bar code that could be placed on any item which is now used in conjunction with modern day technology allows ease of tracking, whether it is for stock control, movement or point of sale and has now enhanced many a business.
Bishopsgate embraced this technology many years ago for use within their warehouses. All warehouse staff carry a hand held device so that all warehoused items can be scanned into the Warehouse Management System (WMS) and then into a specific location within the warehouse before being scanned out “just in time” and delivered to final destination. The whole process begins with an electronic order received from customer Sales Order Processing system, links seamlessly to WMS closing the order loop and providing track, trace and a mass of useful historical data to serial number level of each item moved or delivered.
Bishopsgate are currently working closely with their software provider to take this one step further by scanning every item each time it is loaded or unloaded from a Bishopsgate vehicle or customer site. This will provide complete visibility of goods to our customers at every stage of the process in real time.
Watch this space for further updates.
Bishopsgate “Eat Cake” for charity
On Friday 28th September 2012 Sharon Dowling, wife of Mark Dowling the Swindon Warehouse Manager, decided to raise money for Macmillan Cancer Charity by joining the “World’s largest coffee morning”.
Sharon used the marketing materials and guidelines supplied by Macmillan and sponsored by Marks & Spencer Cafe to advertise the event which took place in the Customer Services Office of the Bishopsgate HQ in Swindon.
Sharon spent her own money on the many ingredients and her considerable time through the afternoon and into the night before preparing a spectacular array of amazing cakes. From a “red velvet cup cake” to a “coffee and walnut” family sized cake and everything in between.
Once the cakes were on display Tim Bloch, Bishopsgate MD, was so impressed with the sheer volume of the selection and how incredibly professional they looked and tasted that he announced that Bishopsgate would match all the employees donations for such a good cause and considering the amazing effort Sharon and her family had gone to.
Mark Dowling said “this morning I have come to work for a rest. Last night we (his sons and he) were up till 1 in the morning having worked tirelessly helping with all the tasks from mixing to washing up”.
Sharon considerable drive and effort raised in excess of £200 for the Macmillan cause.
Having tasted this success Sharon isn’t stopping at Swindon. Stage two will be to bake a special “large” cake for each of the other Bishopsgate depots across the UK, in London, Warrington, Glasgow, Belfast and Dublin, send them on the “hi tech” trunk to each depot and benefit from donations there too.
Making a donation is easy; Text “MAKE872a” to 70550 to donate £5.
All in a days work
When a Bishopsgate employee attended a computer collection at a high security premise the other day he came across more than the usual challenges.
Confronted by an angry lady who had been remonstrating with employees at the establishment, armed with scissors in her hand, he took swift action that according to the Inspector of the local police force, “Prevented injury to herself and possibly others in the enquiry office area” He added, “Clearly, the situation could have been very dangerous and it was commendable that your driver took the actions that he did”
“I suppose I didn’t really think about it. This was my first job of the day and I couldn’t really be held up that early in the day. I had so many more deliveries to sort out”
All in a days work? We too would like to add our thanks to him and his partner for bringing what could have been a very unpleasant event to a good conclusion
TENESO Europe SE expands into Norway
1 September saw Teneso Europe SE Partner & Swedish specialist logistics company MTAB establish a subsidiary in Norway, MTAB Norge AS, through the purchase of Ontime Logistics’ specialist logistics division.
MTAB is taking over the division of Ontime Logistics (formerly Cargo Partner, a long-standing player in Norway) which handles specialist logistics and associated warehousing activities. The offices and warehouse, measuring over 1,000 m2, are located in Oslo and the division turns over NOK 8.5 million per year.
”We wanted to develop our capabilities and were actively looking for a company with a similar product portfolio as ourselves. We are very pleased to have found a buyer who matches our current profile and service requirement’s so perfectly. We are confident that MTAB is the solution Ontime Logistics needed and we know that existing customers will continue to be well taken care of”, says CEO of Ontime Logistics, Aniela Gjøs.
“Our strategy is to be the Nordic region’s leading player in the niches where we are active: Technical Distribution and Art & Exhibition Logistics,” explains Simon Fors, Managing Director of MTAB.
MTAB currently has several customers who see the whole Nordic region as a single market. This growing international trade creates a greater need to have just one supplier for expert transport and value-added services.
“In these prevailing market conditions, MTAB is ideally placed to be seen as a natural Nordic partner,” says Simon Fors.
“By taking over an established operation with three qualified and experienced members of staff, we will quickly have a local platform,” comments Simon Fors. “We will then be incorporating those parts of MTAB’s business that are not yet covered within the existing framework. Our strategy is to retain and, above all, expand the current business and make it more profitable. We see clear market potential on both the art front and the technical front.”
“MTAB’s product range and commitment to high quality will be a feature of every market in which we are active. We aim to have a local presence with local employees and to see growth in all our geographic markets,” concludes Simon Fors.
Ian Johnson – Coffetek
“Just wanted to drop you a quick note reference some recent deliveries you have made for us;
A big thank you to everyone involved in delivering our equipment to the four hotel locations, the machines were positioned exactly where the customer wanted them and all the packaging duly removed.
With regards to the recent job in Ipswich, the crew were excellent! They were extremely helpful and went beyond the call of duty in identifying and locating machines around the building. Even when we delayed them for an hour at the beginning of the day whilst we organised ourselves it was no issue. Our client also commented on the delivery and later sent me an e-mail. Please pass on my thanks to them.”
Ian Johnston | Technical Director
Jake Bloch
Operations
Jake was first tasked to help Bishopsgate, aged 14. Now having just completed his honours degree following a placement at Bishopsgate in his sandwich year, he has rejoined us to work on “Special projects”.
National Account Manager – Healthcare Equipment Provider
“I just wanted to send you an email following the recent implementation that has taken place over the last 3 weeks.
I wanted you to pass on my thanks and the thanks of all our staff for the hard work, professionalism and commitment your drivers have shown in this account during the implementation programme.
I know it has meant very early mornings and long days for them which is very appreciated.
During the implementation they have constantly worked part of the team onsite and helped in every way they can.
Please pass on my personal thanks to them because without the complete team effort that we have had during the implementation it would not have gone so smoothly and in fact completed a day early.”
National Account Manager – Healthcare Equipment Provider
Ian Kirkman – Apogee International Ltd
“Can you please send our thanks for the excellent help and assistance we received yesterday from The driver Rick and Aaron on the delivery of the 6 machines delivered to BSkyB Harlequin building.
They were so helpful.
Many thanks.”
Ian Kirkman
Joint Managing Director
Apogee International Ltd
Ashley Rowland – Nominet
“I recently took receipt of a vending machine that Bishopsgate delivered and I just wanted to pass on a few comments regarding the delivery staff, Martin and Stuart. Sadly I didn’t catch their surnames but I am sure you can find this out…
Both guys were extremely polite and friendly and this resulted in our receptionist immediately commenting on this fact. We had an existing vending machine positioned where the new one needed to go and Martin and Stuart were both prepared to help me move this to make space. It isn’t every day you find such customer focus and I would be extremely grateful if you could pass on my thanks to their relevant manager.”
Ashley Rowland
Facilities Support – Nominet
