TNT Logistics and Rolls-Royce win second IT award
31 October 2003 - 08:49 CET
The information technology system developed by TNT Logistics UK and Rolls-Royce plc to manage and control inbound supply chains has gained its second prestigious technology award in four months.
The two companies have been presented with the Technology Award at the Supply Chain Awards 2003, organised by Motor Transport, the leading UK publication for the haulage, distribution and supply chain industry.
In June the two companies who work in close partnership to manage and operate Rolls-Royce's logistics activities were jointly awarded the Information Technology Award at the freight industry awards organised by International Freighting Weekly, the highest circulation European transport publication.
The award-winning solution, called E-Manifest, integrates real-time collection and delivery information directly into Rolls-Royce's ERP system, in particular SAP, allowing real-time visibility of parts collected from suppliers and delivered into the Rolls-Royce system.
The implementation of E-Manifest has resulted in an increase of on-time delivery from 20 to 80 percent, virtual elimination of goods receiving problems and an increase in supplier paperwork conformance from 25 to 100 percent.
The Supply Chain Award judges commended it as "a good solution, identifying one of the most common supply chain gaps - capturing POD information. It yields real benefits, resolving complex inbound logistics problems in an elegant format."
The IT solution was implemented as the third step in the supply chain solution plan which the companies developed together. First, TNT Logistics took over the physical inbound/outbound network through the implementation of:
- a Collection Service covering more than 120 UK suppliers,
- an inter-site network including the eight UK and two German Rolls-Royce sites
- an outbound engine delivery process.
Secondly, the two teams established a full track and trace system through the use of 'in-cab' technology and a professional transport management system.
Only then could the third step be implemented - fully dynamic, integrated supply chain management, integrating the Collection Service suppliers and the transport management system with the core ERP system - E-Manifest.
The platform is also capable of being expanded to cover European and US supply chains.
Rolls-Royce is a leading global company in the civil aerospace, defence, marine and energy markets. TNT Logistics operates a parts collection service for Rolls-Royce in the UK and North America with a service for mainland Europe to follow shortly.
An engine delivery service provided by TNT Logistics for Rolls-Royce's aerospace business satisfies demand for new and replacement engines worldwide. TNT Logistics has one of the most advanced global IT platforms in the industry and exploits information technology to achieve integration and visibility throughout the supply chain, which supports the process of cutting cost and reducing lead time or time to market.
Neil Crossthwaite, Managing Director, TNT Logistics UK, says: "We are absolutely delighted to have received these prestigious industry accolades. TNT Logistics has worked in very close cooperation with Rolls Royce to evolve this supply-chain partnership and our joint ability to innovate has clearly added huge value to our organisations. TNT Logistics continues to focus on delivering the very best technology solutions to support our clients supply chains and these awards are testament to these."
