Logsquare

Leveraging dedication, expertise, and optimised operations as its hallmarks

LogSquare main differentiators are its local engineering and implementation capabilities with a European provenance

LogSquare is the partner of choice to tackle logistics operational and fulfillment challenges in a fast-paced industry and ecosystem that are experiencing new dynamics at play.

Since LogSquare was founded in Dubai, UAE in 2009, the Supply Chain industry has experienced a new level of integrated material handling solutions and services, right from planning to execution.

LogSquare offers the latest ingenious services to achieve next-level customercentric experience in the Gulf and MENA, according to an official company statement. .

The company affirms that its technologies empower logistic operators to strengthen their capabilities and support the growing e-commerce, FMCG, and omni-channel retail sectors.

The products and services categories are multiple and comprehensive and include among other conveyors and sortation systems, automated storage and retrieval systems, advanced picking modules, Systems and controls, garmenton-hanger applications (GOH) and vertical movers.

LogSquare has had several major accomplishments to date and has successfully completed several projects in the Middle East region.

Global Supply Chain recently had a one-on-one engagement with the LogSquare official at the helm. Jacques Adem, Co-Founder and Managing Director, responded to a comprehensive questionnaire and provided the lowdown on the company’s past successes, its track record, its current endeavours, and ambitions for the future.

Global Supply Chain (GSC): Give us the 30-second corporate spiel on LogSquare.

Jacques Adem (JA): LogSquare is an intra logistics automated storage and handling solution provider.

Since its inception, LogSquare has enhanced its capabilities and diversified its applications. It gained recognition throughout the Gulf with landmark references in several verticals and prominent clientele names.

We have practically ventured into all verticals and delivered effectively and capably. Our support and operations cover a wide geographical region.

GSC: How critical is automation and the provision of advanced material handling solutions in today’s logistics landscape? Why?

JA: Logistics is in continuous evolution with more stringent requirement in terms of delivery timelines, visibility, proliferation of stock and smaller orders. This comes at a period where energy costs are high, and competition is fierce for superior customer experience.

Automation and advanced handling solutions are key to attaining and maintain the pace. It offers supply chain measurable performance and is the main asset for fulfillment operators to enhance their capability.

LogSquare retail and E-commerce solutions have had their share of success with many projects across the region for renowned entities (Amazon, Noon, Gulf Marketing Group-GMG, BFL, Tamer and more).

Jacques Adem

Co-Founder & Managing Director LogSquare FZCO

Jacques Adem is the Co-founder and Managing Director of LogSquare.

Leveraging on academic studies in engineering and management, Jacques has compiled more than 20 years of experience in the supply chain solutions and logistics fields.

He keeps strong links to the maritime industry where he enjoyed his initial career in the family-owned business.

As a business director, Jacques has headed projects in different supply chain applications covering the cycle from Inception till Hand Over.

He is currently spear heading in LogSquare and spreading automation in the industry.

GSC: Enumerate the full suite of products and solutions offered by LogSquare?

JA: LogSquare has a rich suite of solutions and product lines starting with transport solutions (conveyors and rail based), sorters, Automatic Storage & Retrieval in different configuration and formats, advanced picking modules and engineered solutions (Rack Supported Buildings and large storage structures).

Add to that Robotics featuring AGV (Automated Guided Vehicles) and AMR (Autonomous Mobile Robot) suites. Our suite of capabilities implies LogSquare leverages well on proven Warehouse Execution and PLC software in house development.

GSC: Briefly state LogSquare’s USPs (unique selling propositions) / distinctive attributes?

JA: LogSquare’s main differentiator that has proved to be a cutting edge during the pandemic are its local regional engineering and execution capabilities. It is a company that understands, works, and flourishes in the region with an entrenched understanding of the local logistics requirement and synergies.

On the technical front as well, we join a wealth of skills and expertise covering the solutions spectrum that are rarely under one roof and we remain focused on the solution approach.

GSC: How significant is the Middle East region for LogSquare?

JA: MENA—Middle East & North Africa was the focal interest for our activities in the last decade, we belong to this region, and it will remain key for our growth. LogSquare has engaged as well in an African ‘exploration’ with several projects in the pipeline.

GSC: What are among the most popular LogSquare technology solutions that find high acceptability among potential clients?

JA: LogSquare retail and E-commerce solutions have had their share of success with many projects across the region for renowned entities (Amazon, Noon, Gulf Marketing Group-GMG, BFL, Tamer and more). We have been closely associated with the growth in these verticals and keep on enhancing our products and solutions offerings.

GSC: What are among your new ingenious introductions and innovations?

JA: Our set of Combi lines has been under the spotlight recently and in turn have been well received in the marketplace. We combine in relatively small affordable systems transport, picking and sortation. The seamless of combination of several technologies into a simple working solution is something the team is extremely proud of and hope to leverage on.

Our main accomplishment remains our partner focused approach. Dedication and team spirit throughout the process from conception, execution to after sales support are what keeps partners content.

GSC: How would you characterize your accomplishments over the past 13 years since your inception in 2009?

JA: Beyond a doubt, accomplishment in our industry is measured by the number of successful projects and solutions implemented, established partnerships, and repeat collaboration.

Despite our young age and regional size, we have enjoyed a good track record. Yet our main accomplishment remains our partner focused approach. Dedication and team spirit throughout the process from conception, execution to after sales support are what keeps partners content.

GSC: How did you fare in 2021 and what is your outlook for 2022?

JA: The year 2021 was pivotal when we have resumed our growth path post pandemic and paved the way for 2022.

We are currently engaged on several fronts and are confident that 2022 will be another landmark in our path.

GSC: How is the exponential growth of e-commerce impacting your fortunes and what future growth potential does it hold for you?

JA: Our industry at large has definitely benefitted from the growth in e-commerce and so did LogSquare. Our focus shifted since a few years now from the conventional verticals into e-commerce.

We even implemented dedicated approaches namely our “Adapt and Leverage.” The e-commerce sector will resume its growth yet at a more moderate pace. It is an established, stand-alone vertical with its own set of requirements.

GSC: What are the opportunities and challenges for LogSquare going forward?

JA: LogSquare’s main challenge going forward is to maintain its client focus and the spirit which has given its success since inception especially as the team grows and is spread further over a larger territory and set up.

Several opportunities from existing and new partners are in the pipeline with a challenging set of newly embraced technologies.

GSC: What are your expansion plans for the region?

JA: Expansion steps have been laid for the region since 2020. We are working towards a stronger presence in KSA with a business unit in Africa.

GSC: What are the two top markets in the region?

JA: UAE and Saudi Arabia lead the market in our region with sparks from Egypt. Established Services and Industrial sectors paired with a growing population in the before mentioned countries are positive indicators going forward.

GSC: Do you have any imminent plans for mergers and / or acquisitions?

JA: Our plans are mostly focused on new technical associations with companies that can enrich our technical offering. We keep on adapting and embracing cutting edge technologies suitable for the regional requirement.

LogSquare set up a CBS at their Dubai Excellence Centre

GSC: Do you have manufacturing facility in this region?

JA: LogSquare is s system integrated mostly with a model based on valueadded activities and intellectual knowhow. We are setting up a valueadded assembly, R&D and services facility in UAE. Our modules are from a bouquet of established OEMs (Original Equipment Manufacturers) with a proven reliability track record. Contemporary worldwide logistics trends such as just-in-time and e-commerce have led to an increasing freight volume to be transported under tight delivery schedules. Many supply chains have opted therefore to implement fully automated sorting systems in their distribution processes.

Recently, the company has upgraded its offering by installing a Cross Belt Sorter (CBS) solution at its excellence centre in Dubai, as part of its commitment to continuously enhance its software and engineering capabilities and offer its customers a testbed to familiarise and test the solution’s suitability.

Moreover, LogSquare leverages its integration capabilities with a complete spectrum of sorters to suit every application paired with a variety of assets including controls, dimensioning, weighing, and scanning (DWS) systems and material flow software.

Automated Sortation Systems Automated Sortation systems are becoming an essential component of many supply chains such as postal services, retailers, and e-commerce due to three main reasons:

Speed: Next-day or even same-day deliveries are an elementary promise of most online retailers and postal service

providers. If we deduct the transportation time, the time remaining for all retrieval and sorting operations is very limited.

Volumes: The automated sortation systems have the capacity to handle large amounts of parcels. For instance, UPS largest hub has a capacity of sorting in excess of 100,000 parcels per hour.

Reliability: Parcels sorted automatically will reach accurately the desired destination and the margin of error shall be close to zero.

Automatic Sortation is mainly adopted by CEP, Retail and E-commerce; however, all industries will eventually implement automated sortation in a part of their supply chain.

Any distribution or fulfilment centre is currently or will in the near future instigate automatic sortation in one or more areas.

Depending on the operations in place, sortation might be carried out at inbound, outbound and/or to handle the returns.

For most companies, processing the incoming flow of goods is a laborious task. Adopting an automated sortation there will render the activity easier; inbound goods can be counted and received quickly and accurately by running them through the automated sorter to be ready for putaway.

The flexibility of having the option to sort the incoming products immediately to outbound, to the next batch or directly to an order will be also available.

A similar activity usually requiring sortation as well is Returns. Items returning from customers to Distribution or Fulfilment centres need to be handled before re-storing.

The most common sortation is done at Outbound. Items in warehouses or distribution centres are sorted based on their destinations. Random flows of items are consolidated for shipping.

Sorting parameters

Sorting parameters depend on the type of company or application within the supply chain.

Below is a diagram of a typical sorting system application within the retail, 3PL or e-commerce outbound sorting process.

In light of all of the above, LogSquare decided to invest in the studies of all possible applications to help their partners achieve their goals in an optimal way.

The viable solutions in sortation activities vary according to several factors:

Operation guidelines and preference Data and growth forecast Level of investment and ROI Logistics school (Reactive, adaptive, avant-garde…)

RECEIVING OR PICKING SORTING SHIPPING New Appealing Solutions comprising in majority of Autonomous Mobile Robots transporting goods using navigation technology and fleet management software.

The answers to these elements will result in adopting one of the following sorting methods: Transport and picking aids: Basic Solutions Focused on automating transport and providing picking technology (Put-toLight, Voice, Display Guided, OVR). Autonomous Mobile Robots: New Appealing Solutions comprising in majority of small moving robots transporting goods using navigation technology and fleet management software Fixed Sorter Lines: The industrial range of sortation featuring a fixed sorter solution usually with transport and identification technology. Sorter can be of different types and shapes (Circular, Linear, CBS, Shoe, Narrow belt, Bombay, Tilt Tray, ARB, Pouch and more)

With a narrow limitation on unit load dimension, shape and weight and an array of throughputs ranging up to 30,000 + units per hour, the cross-belt sorter is the solution offering the highest performance.

On that account, LogSquare, as part of the continuous endeavour to promote technology to their partners, have invested in a Cross Belt Sorter for their excellence centre.

The purpose of this activity is two-fold:

Fulfil LogSquare continuous R&D objectives by continuously enhancing its software and engineering capabilities, and offering its customers, a test pad to familiarise and test the solution suitability.

LogSquare leverages its integration capabilities with complete spectrum of sorters to suit every application married with ancillaries such as Controls, Dimensioning, Weighing and Scanning (DWS) systems and Material Flow Software.