Company Profile - Rhenus Logistics

Company Profile Smooth operators

Toy World spoke to Kerry Delaney, regional director Europe North & West at third-party logistics specialist Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK, about how its suite of services can help companies of all sizes with their business needs in the fast-paced toy industry, and why sustainability and wellbeing are at the forefront of its expansion plans.

Does Rhenus have experience in working with toy companies and manufacturers? What level of knowledge and expertise has this translated into?

Rhenus Warehousing Solutions UK has been working in the toy industry for a number of years now and provides logistics solutions to several toy companies. Prior to working with companies in the sector, we already employed staff members across both operations and account management who had years of experience with toy customers. This gave us an insight into what to expect and meant process improvements were included in the implementation of accounts from the outset.

This knowledge and expertise also translated into full system integrations, including customers’ delivery specifications, to allow automatic production and output of required outbound labels at the pack stations. We are proud to have developed a highly effective system that caters to the unique demands and challenges of the industry; over the years we’ve acquired all the specialist knowledge needed to ensure toy companies’ operations run as smoothly as possible.

What core services does Rhenus offer? Can these be tailored according to individual requirements?

We offer a comprehensive range of warehousing and distribution services, such as fulfilment and returns processing, to support retail, wholesale and e-commerce customers in the toy sector. Because of our experience working with toy manufacturers and retailers, we understand how dynamic the toy industry is and provide a range of tried-and-true solutions, so that our customers can focus on their core business, while we take care of the supply chain from end to end.

Our toy customers benefit from increased efficiency, agility and productivity, as well as the ability to manage peak seasons and cope with fluctuations in order volumes. We support new product launches and schedule important deliveries within an agreed shipment window too; we understand that toy retailers often have many complex value-added services, including Free Standing Display Units (FSDUs), Counter Display Units (CDUs) and assortments.

We manage each retailers’ labelling and packaging requirements on an order-by-order basis and ensure each product is handled with care, such as polybagging plush toys prior to dispatch, when necessary. Our personalised approach to logistics enables us to deliver a tailored service that is suited to each manufacturer’s individual needs.

Toy manufacturers and retailers are facing challenges with stock/inventory this year. How can you support them, especially in the run-up to Christmas?

Assisting our customers with additional storage is something we offer as part of our service at Rhenus and will continue to do so going forward. The development of a new warehousing campus in Nuneaton will allow us even more flexibility as required.

What makes Rhenus a distribution partner of choice – how do you go above and beyond?

We pride ourselves on working to form long-term partnerships with every client and offering each of our customers a personalised, human-led service, which allows us to go beyond the role of a service provider and become an integral part of our clients’ supply chains. Our team is on-hand to provide customers with support and expertise and is fully equipped to ensure quality is maintained and deadlines are met. We carry out perpetual inventory checks at our warehouses, whereas other third-party logistics providers may have to close down periodically for regular inventory counting.

When do you anticipate the new Nuneaton campus will be completed? Why does it have such a strong focus on sustainability?

Our ‘Rhenus Campus’ in Nuneaton will be home to two warehouses measuring 1m square feet situated on 64 acres. The first warehouse totals 210,000 square feet and officially opened in July, whereas the second is 771,000 square feet and due to be completed later this year. Now that it’s up and running, the first warehouse will help us achieve our goals of reducing direct carbon emissions by 60% by 2023 and net zero carbon emissions by 2045.

Our new warehouses have been designed with reference to the UK Green Building Council (UKGBC) Framework Definition for Net Zero Carbon Buildings. This means we can support customers with achieving their own net zero goals. This is hugely important in today’s culture; more than ever before, customers and companies are conscious of their environmental impact and looking for ways to reduce their carbon footprint.

In fact, on 27th June, Rhenus was crowned the winner in the Sustainability category at the UKWA Annual Lunch & Awards. The UKWA Award for Excellence in Sustainability marks the achievements of organisations making strides towards a more sustainable future by driving positive change, so the win showcases how focused and committed we are to energy efficiency, carbon reduction and implementing environmental initiatives.

Does the Nuneaton Campus’ focus on sustainability reflect the wider ethos of the Rhenus business?

Sustainability is a huge part of our ethos at Rhenus and a core part of our business, which is why we’ve made it a top priority at our new site. The building is certified BREEAM Outstanding and will set new standards for environmental protection and eco-friendly logistics, allowing us to reach the highest level of sustainability in warehousing.

Renewable energy will be generated on-site via solar panels and air source heat pumps, and electric car charging points are being installed. The site is also very environmentally diverse, and features extensive green spaces, a pond, a wildflower grassland and meadow, plus homes for local wildlife - including birds, bats and hedgehogs - made from recycled timber.

The new facility will reach the highest level of sustainability in warehousing, creating a site that’s environmentally diverse and that promotes happiness, health and wellbeing amongst employees. Employees will be able to spend time planting in on-site allotments, with a communal shed and composting bays. Paths and accessible seating areas, surrounded by sensory planting, will also be provided. Employees will also be able to enjoy a climbing wall and two all-weather Multi-Use Games Area (MUGA) pitches that can be used for a variety of games including netball, basketball and football.

It’s extremely important to us at Rhenus that we give back and be part of the wider community, so in addition to all this we have created a community outreach programme that involves working with local charities, foodbanks and hospices to provide support for those in need of some extra help.