Safilo's logistics centre in Padua doubles in size
The Safilo Group continues to pursue its philosophy of 'improving customer service and customer satisfaction' with the expansion of its logistics centre. The new warehouse will guarantee superior performance of the entire goods handling process: from collection of orders to shipment of finished products.
Over the past few years, Safilo's Padua headquarters have been completely renovated in order to make it more functional and ensure it responds to the highest demands of various company activities. Particular attention has been devoted to the overhaul of the distribution centre, the aim being to make it totally innovative and above all 100% responsive to growing market demands in terms of efficiency and quality.
The first wing, which was up and running in summer 2000, has a 12-metre ceiling height and covers a surface of 10,000 m²; this is where finished products arrive, to be subsequently shipped to European opticians.
The logistics project also included the construction and use of a second wing covering a further 10,000 m², with a ceiling height of 15 metres: this area became operative in March 2004 and is scheduled to be working to its full potential in 2005, once the natural start-up phase of the plant is completed.
Handling of goods in the two warehouses is an integrated process involving coordination of various sectors: the call centre, the warehouse staff and sophisticated technology all work in synergy to ensure a smooth-running system. A fundamental part of the organization of activities is played by brand new software, among the most advanced in Europe. The software in question ensures a high level of automation of the entire process and facilitates the work of all parties involved: from registration of orders, sorting and packing through to distribution.
From a statistical point of view, thanks to the organization of this centre, a record of 28,000 items are now handled and 8,000 shipments are organized daily, equating to an increase of 6% on 2003 shipments. It has been possible to add product lines like Giorgio Armani and Emporio Armani and to slim down operations for smaller orders too, thus guaranteeing efficient service for all customers.
Yet this entire renovation and modernisation of the distribution centre did not only lead to improvement of internal operations but resolutely pursued the aim of offering customers premium quality service.
The attention dedicated to customer satisfaction prompts the Safilo Group to constantly seek to improve the management of the logistics and distribution centre: the company is currently testing new systems for coding items, handling goods and management of shipments.
