Synchronising transport cuts grain chain costs: A unique agreement between Openfield and logistics experts DHL promises to make big savings for the co-op's farmer members

摘要

When Openfield enlisted global logistics expert DHL to improve the efficiency of its grain transport around the country, it became the first UK grain business to outsource its haulage scheduling. The move, Openfield says, will allow it to shift the same grain tonnage with 10% fewer road miles - a saving that it promises will be passed back to farmers. Central to the success of the logistical collaboration is the access Openfield now has to DHL's advanced computerised logistics systems; a similar version of the one it uses for its worldwide delivery business. The system uses order information provided by regional offices to automatically select the most suitable haulier and plan the best route between collection and drop-offpoints, taking into account backloads to maximise the use of vehicles on the road.