Multi-customer means multi-benefits

Desserts and baking additives reign supreme before the festive season, beverages reach their sales peak in summer, while demand for toys increases before Children’s Day and Christmas. These are just some of the goods for which additional storage space is needed seasonally, and investing in a dedicated warehouse simply does not pay off. It is in such situations that a multi-customer warehouse, i.e. one in which space is flexibly managed to adapt to the changing needs of customers, turns out to be an excellent solution. This type of platform from FM Logistic successfully operates in Bedzin in southern Poland. 

High variability of volumes handled during the year, dynamic production growth or hard-to-predict overstocks are just some of the challenges faced by manufacturers and distributors of seasonal goods or those in a period of rapid business growth. By handling for different tenants within a single location, an optimal solution is achieved in terms of both cost and resource utilization. This is possible because it is the logistics operator who is responsible for providing the appropriate warehouse space, trained employees, as well as technology and equipment. It is also the operator who bears the fixed costs of running the warehouse, while the customer pays only for the completed storage order and any additional services.

Multi-customer warehousing is a win-win solution not only for manufacturers and distributors, but also for the logistics operator itself. Customers gain by paying only for what they need, and the operator can make maximum use of its resources.

When – as in the case of the distribution centre in Bedzin – the operator owns the facility, it has complete freedom to adapt the space to changing needs. It can divide the space into zones, relocate customers or provide additional space. In the case of Bedzin, it can even decide at any moment to expand the platform, which will grow with the customer evolving business. This gives customers a huge advantage and peace of mind about whether the operator will be able to adapt to their current needs.

What’s more, when a logistics operator owns multiple platforms, its ability to freely and flexibly manage operations and resources is even greater. “In close proximity, we have several warehouses coordinated by a single team.This allows us to delegate employees from other platforms, our “special branches,” at the time of increased demand or the start of a new project.The employees are ready to go just within an hour”, reveals Marcin Kwarciak, Regional Director at FM Logistic, who manages, among others, the platform in Bedzin. Such ability to adapt quickly to increased demand translates directly into efficiency for customers, providing them with continuity of supply and thus constant access to products in the store. Indeed, quick action is key to remaining competitive in the market, especially in industries where seasonality is high. 

Managing a multi-customer warehouse, an experienced logistics operator not only responds efficiently to seasonal changes in sales, but also actively supports its customers in managing these changes by analysing sales trends and forecasting demand more accurately. As a result, companies employing such a solution can be confident that their products will reach their customers at the right time and in the right quantity, which translates into achieving targeted sales results.

Without a doubt, the added value of multi-client warehouses is the cross-docking terminal integrated with the warehouse, which speeds up logistics processes.

It allows for the direct transfer of products from one transport to another, eliminating the need for an additional run to sorting plants or shipping hubs. Such a combination of a warehouse and a cross-dock terminal effectively minimises the number of transports, which translates into faster order processing and reduced goods delivery time to customers. As a result, order acceptance times can be extended, allowing for even more precise delivery management and meeting growing demand during seasonal periods.

Location is an important aspect of all transportation-related centres. But in the case of multi-customer warehouses, it is of particular significance. This is because it needs to be beneficial to the maximum wide range of customers. “The platform in Bedzin provides excellent connectivity not only to the rest of the country, but also to our southern neighbours. There are many international routes nearby, including the A1 and A4 motorways, as well as the DK86 and DK94 national roads”, explains Sebastian Plesiński from FM Logistic.

The platform in Bedzin serves also an example of how FM Logistic addresses its customers’ needs, for whom sustainability plays an important role.

The environment also benefits from the cross-docking operation, as it allows us to significantly minimize the number of transports required to handle the same volume of goods. 

Using a multi-customer warehouse is the ticket to efficient logistics. With shared resources, the flexibility of the service allows costs and resources to be optimised. An integrated cross-dock terminal shortens delivery times, reducing CO₂ emissions. The multi-customer warehouse is not only an efficient logistics platform for demanding customers, but also a sustainable solution for business and the environment.