Paragon has helped Staples to deliver thousands of products in the last month as children up and down the country prepared to return to school.
Staples has been a global provider of essential school supplies for nearly 30 years. The company says that demand begins to intensify at the beginning of August as parents needing to equip their children for the new school year turn to Staples, not only for pens, rubbers and notebooks, but also for the more hi tech items now required.
Further demand is created by seasonal marketing campaigns to increase visitors to more than 100 bricks and mortar stores across the UK as well as Staples’ ecommerce channels. The timely distribution of goods from its depots is managed by DHL, using Paragon routing and scheduling software to ensure that Staples can deliver across all of its shopping channels. DHL offers Staples’ customers next possible working day door-to-door delivery, and free tracking by text, phone or online.
DHL implemented a routing and scheduling system from Paragon Software Systems at its operation for Staples office products at Watford Gap in December 2009.
“The system has helped us to ensure maximum use of our fleet capacity, giving us the flexibility to deal with store deliveries across the UK, plus supplier returns and waste collections. This all adds up to tremendous savings for our customer while maintaining consistent service levels, which is especially important at this busy time of the year,” said Craig Holmes, General Manager, DHL Non Food Retail.
Planning is performed daily for multiple deliveries per store. These fluctuating loads correspond to changing consumer demand. Paragon provides the flexibility and accuracy to enable DHL to quickly optimise delivery schedules and achieve a minimum 87% load utilisation per vehicle – in essence allowing the company to maximise service, while keeping a tight rein on resources.
William Salter, Managing Director, Paragon, said, “The back to school period is an important peak season for Staples. Parents needing to prepare their children for the new school year have a limited period to buy all the stationery that they need, so it’s convenient for them to be able to buy everything on the list from one place. It’s essential that the stock is available when customers visit the store or the website to reduce the risk of them taking their business elsewhere.”
Staples is the world’s largest office products company offering a wide range of office products, including supplies, technology, furniture and business services. Staples serves businesses of all sizes and consumers in 25 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Asia and Australia.
DHL Supply Chain is the global market leader of the international express and logistics industry, specialising in providing innovative and customised solutions from a single source. The Supply Chain business unit provides warehousing and warehouse transport services as well as value-added solutions along the entire supply chain for customers from various sectors of industry.
