Case Study – Apparel retailer logistics

Apparel retailer

Better supply chain control through enhanced visibility and support at origin with purchase order management. The client is leading retailer of casual apparel for men, women and children, sold through catalog, online and store sales channels. It sources product from around the world, which it sells in the United States, the U.K., Germany and Japan.

The challenge

A retail client of Noatum Logistics for international freight forwarding services sought additional assistance for improving control over its global supply chain. The client recognized that greater visibility to purchase orders and shipments would lead to better purchasing, transportation and distribution decisions.

The strategy

Capitalize on the global expertise and capabilities of Noatum Logistics to strengthen in-country vendor management; enhance visibility to purchase orders, shipments and documentation through the use of global purchase order technology which can integrate with the client’s own system.

The solution

Noatum Logistics in-country personnel in China, Sri Lanka, Vietnam, Peru and India provide vendor education, purchase order and SKU-level documentation, document verification, order confirmation, as well as VAS in strategic Asia locations. These locations consolidate multiple vendor shipments at origin, creating full container load (FCL) shipments. The team also negotiates desirable ocean freight and airfreight rates, manages the transportation at origin, and supports customs clearance processes.

Noatum Logistics PowerVIEW™ PO technology presents purchase order and shipment information at the SKU level and is fully integrated with the client’s own systems. Online document imaging assists customs clearance, allowing the client to have all documentation in the system by shipment. It enables shipment status updates by purchase order number, HBL, container number, style number, voyage date, etc. The technology supports purchase order processing in Excel/EDI format. The technology also provides customized shipment reports based on the client’s needs.

The Noatum Logistics solution includes Global Trade Management to ensure regulatory compliance, mitigate supply chain disruptions, and identify cost savings opportunities. The overall solution is managed by three regional account managers in Asia, North America and Europe. These client dedicated account managers track Dedicated pre-established key performance indicators (KPIs), provide a primary point of contact in each region, and ensure 24-hour coverage of the client’s supply chain.

The result

The client now has better control over its supply chain and greater flexibility with its inventory. SKU-level visibility facilitates purchase order timing, quantities and destinations, which also supports consolidation of shipments at origin for more cost-effective transportation.

The integrated systems provide instant access to information by the consignee, buying house, destination agents and other parties in the supply chain management process.