new competencies and
innovations in logistics

The idea behind the project is to look at manual handling across supply chains as many problems in handling may have been created by other parts of the supply chain. This focus makes it possible to change the supply chain, so that the working conditions can be optimised, but also to introduce a new way of thinking towards logistics in the supply chain.

The project is a co-operation between actors in the supply chain and social partners. During the project it is shown how it is possible to reduce the problems related to physical handling by direct planning in the supply chain. This planning includes all elements in the supply chain, as manual handling problems are often caused by decisions made by other units in the chain.

The output of the project is a set of guidelines and questionnaires for self-analysis. This material is available for all companies, and it will enable them to make this sort of self-analysis. The tools are well tested during the project period, as they are developed in close co-operation with other companies and other partners involved.

The result is a set of recommendations, which guide the users to make decisions about how they can change manual handling of goods in the supply chain. The guidelines include all parts of the chain in supply management. By using the guidelines, questions guide the user to change the working methods but also to introduce new knowledge in processes in the whole supply chain.

The use of these tools gives the users a specific on-the-job training, because the material asks questions about factual working procedures, but also gives advice on how to make changes in the procedures to improve the logistics flow.

Alternatively, it is possible to get support from a consultant of the social partners, who can help to complete the questionnaires. This support will even make it possible for small companies to optimise their physical logistics flow, as the consultants are training the users and also giving new inspiration for redesigning the flow.

The key element in this project is to introduce working environment as an element in the supply chain by using guidelines and recommendations. The guidelines and recommendations can also be used as training for employees who are active in the supply chain. The use of the guidelines is a sort of on-the-job training, because each element in the guideline demands minor analysis of all elements in the flow, and at the same time trains the user in analysing the logistics flow.

The training elements have two directions. The first one is focused on managers in the shops and warehouses (including the functions in "job 1") and gives new knowledge on correct physical handling of goods. This new knowledge can be used to design new packaging but also to redesign flows of goods. During the analysis of the logistics flow, the importance of making a total optimisation of the whole supply chain is shown.

The second element is focused on the physical handling in the warehouses and shops. This introduces new knowledge on correct handling of goods. The guidelines use questionnaires to manage the present situation.

The main challenge in making handbooks with guidelines is to make people in the target group use them. First of all, the new tools have been introduced in relevant magazines, newspapers and homepages. Therefore, all companies in the target group have knowledge of the tools. The paper version of the tools is distributed to many of them also.

To improve the use of the tools, the social partners' consultants use the handbook as a tool for instruction of the companies in correct and optimal physical movement of goods. This use gives the consultants a practical tool for introducing a new sort of logistics thinking within the companies, because it has hands-on solutions on abstract problems.

The handbook, including guidelines and recommendations, is a useful tool to optimise the manual handling of goods in the supply chain. The special element is that the focus lies on manual handling across the supply chain and that solutions should be found between partners in the chain.

The social partners promote the tools as practical tools to change a complex set of problems related to the supply chains. The tools are available for all interested partners, because the handbook can be downloaded from the Internet. Therefore the users have both the possibility to do the recommendation by themselves, or to ask for help from the industrial organisation.

Optimising the size of the packaging gives benefits in all parts of the supply chain. The producers can optimise the transport and reduce the amount of packaging variants. The wholesaler can optimise the warehouse caused standardised pallet size and reduce the risk of on-the-job injury because of the reduced packaging weight. The shops have the possibility of optimising the warehouse and the shop layout because of the modulating of the packaging. At the same time the risk of on-the-job injury is reduced because of the focus on the packaging size and the system of handling the products.

The pilot companies and the subsequent companies, who have used the tools can all show changes in the logistics systems, which both optimise the physical flow and reduce the risk of on-the-job injuries caused by heavy lifting.

The good practice elements from this project are:

• It is possible to make guidelines, which focus on the physical logistics flow. The guidelines are specially related to fast moving consumer goods (FMCG), but it is possible to transfer guidelines to other industries.
• The guidelines are basically a way to change the handling of the manual. the use of the guidelines is based on on-job-training when designing logistics flows and finding new solutions. The training is run as a combination of redesign of the existing logistics flow and improvement of the logistics system.