Supply Chain Transformation
Bunzl Distribution USA streamlines its inbound supply chain with help from Amber Road.
The Challenge
Bunzl Distribution USA supplies various plastic packaging and disposable paper products to food processors, supermarkets, retailers, convenience stores and other users. With worldwide sales in excess of $6 billion, Bunzl has more than 3,500 employees and 90-plus warehouses that serve all 50 U.S. states, Canada, the Caribbean, and parts of Mexico. To deliver higher levels of customer service, Bunzl wanted to transform and streamline its entire supply chain. Bunzl’s internal branches needed to establish a comprehensive track-and-trace system for real-time visibility into their import shipments in transit.
The Solution
Bunzl selected Amber Road’s solution for its ability to provide supply chain visibility and compliance solutions on a single platform, as well as its broad international trade content and strong standing in the marketplace. Integrated with Bunzl’s order management system and connected with six carriers, Bunzl was able to significantly streamline its inbound supply chain. The company has a centralized import process where all its branches access all compliance reference data, in-transit shipment and inventory levels, and all import transactional data. This has improved coordination across the company to meet higher service level agreements and to reduce supply chain costs.
The distributor has reduced fees associated with demurrage, detention, and per diem as a result of providing internal and external customers with increased visibility to their inventory in-transit and allowing for better planning. Brokerage and entry fees have also been reduced, since Bunzl can now pay its carriers directly, instead of paying via brokers. Furthermore, Bunzl has streamlined its payment process by establishing in-transit milestones to pre-determine when to initiate the payment process.
To learn more about Amber Road’s solutions, email [email protected] or visit www.AmberRoad.com.