As a comprehensive, integrated logistics company, Noatum Logistics offers customised, value-added solutions across a broad spectrum of services, including freight management, international supply chain management, contract logistics, project logistics, eSolutions, and customs & trade compliance.
With over 2,600 professionals dedicated to “Excellence in Logistics Services,” the company operates an extensive network of wholly owned offices and global agents, providing true end-to-end supply chain support worldwide.
Navigating E-Commerce Expansion in a Changing World
In the wake of Brexit and the COVID-19 pandemic, Noatum Logistics faced unprecedented challenges that also presented significant opportunities. The rapid acceleration of e-commerce growth—fast-forwarded by an estimated five years—required the company to swiftly expand and innovate its logistics operations.
We spoke to Steve Hicks, Logistics Director at Noatum Logistics, who shared insights into the company’s journey. “We had historically an old-fashioned warehouse that we’d completely outgrown,” Steve recalled. “I’d managed to get some investment from the new owners to build a new design-and-build warehouse. We were coming from a situation where the staff didn’t have a WMS or didn’t use RF technology, or anything like that. It was very much paper picking, people running around. We knew we couldn’t carry on like that because it was labour-intensive.”
Despite the timing coinciding with the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic, Noatum Logistics decided to proceed with their ambitious plans. “We were building it almost the month that COVID broke,” Steve explained. “We dug a hole in the ground at that point, and everybody was at a point of no return. We signed up and still felt it was the right thing to do because Brexit was creating opportunities. COVID sent the e-commerce world into a meltdown, because now no one could go to a shop anymore and everything was becoming online.”
Building Advanced Facilities for Enhanced Capabilities
The first major step was the construction of a 380,000 square-foot warehouse in London Medway. This significant design-and-build endeavour involved not only the physical construction but also the implementation of advanced systems such as conveyors, pick-to-light technology, and robotics. Alongside this new site, they introduced new operational methodologies to reduce human error, including the deployment of a new Warehouse Management System (WMS).
“As you can imagine, moving to a site three times the size of the old one came with a lot more rent, rates, and everything else,” Steve noted. “There was also the pressure to fill it. We had a plan of moving another customer in there as a 4PL basis, but then we won two other customers in quick succession, and it then became really apparent that we just could not manage everything ourselves.”
Recognising the continued demand, Noatum Logistics initiated a second project: opening a new warehouse in Biggleswade. This facility featured 300,000 square feet of mezzanine floors and created an additional 530,000 square feet of space. Designed for a retail customer seeking localised UK distribution rather than reliance on mainland Europe, this project was another significant undertaking requiring advanced technological integration.
Collaborating with ModernLogic for Seamless Integration
With the development of these new sites, Noatum Logistics collaborated closely with ModernLogic to ensure seamless integration of advanced technologies and systems. Steve recounted how this partnership began: “We tried to integrate [a customer] ourselves, but that had not quite gone to plan, and we needed to get some expertise in that area. That’s really how the relationship started with ModernLogic.”
ModernLogic supported the company through the configuration of Blue Yonder WMS across both new warehouses with seamless integration to the sites’ automation. The project encompassed not only the implementation of the WMS but also supporting all designs, integration, and functionality.
A key element of this collaboration was reviewing operational processes to enhance team efficiency. Recognising the challenges of labour availability in the UK, the integration of automation became a priority. Conveyors and Autonomous Mobile Robots (AMRs) were included in the scope to support staff in their day-to-day tasks, ultimately enabling Noatum Logistics to offer a best-in-class operation for their customers.
ModernLogic configured the Blue Yonder WMS to work seamlessly with conveyors, inline weighing systems, labeling, and printing solutions. They also facilitated the implementation of Locus Robotics for put-away and picking operations directly from the conveyors. This comprehensive technological integration was crucial in addressing the operational challenges posed by rapid expansion and tight project timelines.
Achieving Operational Excellence and Customer Satisfaction
Despite the aggressive go-live timelines, ModernLogic delivered the projects on time, ensuring that the systems were operational when needed. “It wasn’t immediate,” Steve admitted. “When we implemented the London Medway, we were planning Biggleswade, and other implementations. There was an early life curve that went on for three to six months before things started to calm down.”
By the start of 2023, Noatum Logistics began to see the fruits of their efforts. “Things had started to calm down, and they certainly have now,” Steve said. “Since then, we’ve gone live with [a new customer], and now we don’t hear much from them – which is all positive.”
The successful launch of both the London Medway and Biggleswade warehouses, fully equipped with advanced technologies, allowed Noatum Logistics to enhance efficiency significantly. The integration of automation and a robust WMS led to improvements in operational capacity handling and reduced dependency on manual labour.
By addressing labour availability challenges through automation, Noatum Logistics was able to support their staff effectively and increase overall productivity. This not only met the accelerated demands of the e-commerce boom but also attracted new clients and strengthened existing relationships by offering localised UK distribution and a superior level of service.
Steve reflected on the achievements: “It’s been a great success. Often, we get customers who we take round the Biggleswade building; it’s got a wow factor about it. It all looks up to date and in control when you walk around a warehouse; there are no boxes where they shouldn’t be. We have developed something with ModernLogic that is a real showcase in semi-automation in a warehouse.”
Setting a New Standard in Logistics Through Strategic Partnership
The collaboration between Noatum Logistics and ModernLogic exemplifies how strategic partnerships and technological integration can drive growth and efficiency in the logistics industry. Steve described how their relationship with ModernLogic evolved: “It’s a completely different level from when we started because ModernLogic was there supporting us at the beginning, whereas now I see it more as a partnership of us working together. Now, we’ve got something new; we’re engaging you a lot earlier than we probably would have done in the past.”
By successfully implementing advanced WMS solutions and automation technologies, ModernLogic transformed Noatum Logistics’ operations to meet the evolving demands of a rapidly changing market.
ModernLogic’s expertise was instrumental in this transformation, demonstrating the significant impact of expert support in achieving operational excellence. Together, they set a new standard in logistics services.