The industrial sector is undoubtedly one of the main drivers of the global economy. However, we often forget what is behind the scenes, and in this case, logistics, and specifically warehousing, is a fundamental pillar for these companies, not only for their operation and development, but also for the growth of the business itself.
Moreover, without an efficient supply chain, the industry would not have been able to advance by leaps and bounds as it has throughout its history.
Evolution and growth of the industry in the Spanish market
Industrial production has managed to recover in the last two years the ground lost in 2020, a year in which activity plummeted by 9.2 percent due to the impact of the pandemic. Thus, after shooting its growth by 7 percent in 2021, which was the highest annual increase in 27 years, industrial production managed to close last year in positive, with an increase of 2.4 percent.
This slowdown in production in 2022 takes place in a context of continuing risks and uncertainties for the economy. From the war in Ukraine to the stoppage of production in China or in the port of Shanghai, the increase in energy prices, inflation, the shortage of some raw materials or the strike in road freight transport in Spain, all these events have had an impact on the industrial sector.
Thus, all these external factors have strained the industrial supply chain and have highlighted the need to rethink the logistics model in order to be able to anticipate possible adverse scenarios.
Particularities of warehousing logistics in the industrial sector
Companies in the industrial sector are fully aware of the value that logistics brings to their business and therefore value more than ever the importance of allying themselves with a logistics partner that is well aware of the particularities of the industry, accompanies them in their daily challenges and allows them to optimize costs and improve their efficiency as much as possible.
Today, warehousing logistics in the industrial goods sector has special characteristics:
- High operational complexity due to the different types of goods to be handled: from raw materials to special materials or hazardous products, components or large machinery.
- This is a sector subject to very strict handling rules and regulations, as well as ever shorter delivery times.
- Companies demand high quality services from their suppliers, full traceability and full transparency of the warehousing processes.
- Logistics must be agile and flexible to avoid potential disruptions and delays in the supply chain.
Recommended criteria for choosing a logistics partner
When it comes to choosing a logistics partner, "the industrial sector now values, more than ever, entrusting warehousing to a specialized partner", as Julio Sáez, Business Development Director at Rhenus Warehousing Solutions in Spain, states. But how to place that trust initially, these are some of the criteria we recommend to take into account:
- Experience and specialization: knowledge of the sector will allow us to offer solutions tailored to the needs of each company and each project, optimizing processes and customer profitability.
- Flexibility and adaptability: the logistics partner must be able to adapt to the specific needs of each company and the market and to respond to any unforeseen event.
- State-of-the-art warehousing: facilities must be specially equipped to house industrial goods and well connected to major highways and border crossings.
- Wide network of facilities: this factor is what allows the partner to better adapt to the geographical needs of each customer, the location of its warehousing is key to the optimization of its distribution network and its stock, as it allows it to speed up its response capacity at times of high peak demand.
- Certifications and highly qualified personnel: always check that the facilities have the necessary certifications to handle and store this type of merchandise and that they are staffed by specialized professionals.
- Continuous process improvement: the search for innovation, both in processes and facilities, also means an improvement for the customer and a constant look to the future.
- Long-term relationship: building a long-term alliance with your logistics partner is the best option so that it can bring added and strategic value to your business.
- State-of-the-art technology: industrial companies should ensure that the chosen partner has the most efficient technological and automation solutions available on the market.
- Traceability: assess the information available on warehouse orders in real time, as well as periodic and detailed analysis of all the movements that occur.
- Other value-added services: take into account everything our future partner offers beyond warehousing solutions, such as packaging, repacking, labeling, assembly, repair, customs clearance, etc.
- Commitment to sustainability: it is increasingly important that the logistics partner provides solutions that generate the least environmental impact and reduce the carbon footprint of companies.
Rhenus Warehousing Solutions, your ideal partner for the storage of industrial goods
At Rhenus Warehousing Solutions we have become one of the leading providers of warehousing solutions for industry and commerce. Investments in new facilities and services have contributed to this, as well as the fact that we have the support of a large international company such as the Rhenus Group, whose work philosophy is based on always meeting the needs of customers, wherever they may be.
Our focus is to create value for our customers and make their projects a success. For this reason, beyond warehousing logistics solutions, we also provide a wide range of value-added services, such as an extensive network of warehouses capable of packaging, repacking and labeling goods, to the provision of services to end customers and specific assembly and repair work. We also offer customs and international clearance services.
Thanks to our experience and flexibility, we are able to integrate into our customers' value chain, adapt quickly to their needs and combine them with the most appropriate warehousing solution at any given time.