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 02 May 2005
Cebeo Distribution Center gets ISO 9001-2000 certification
Patrick Verougstraete, National Logistics Manager, Cebeo
Trucks come and go, orders swell, and professional clients are serviced. The Cebeo Distribution Center (CDC) runs like a well-oiled machine. At the end of January, the efforts made to get the merchandise system on the right track received the ultimate sign of success: ISO 9001-2000 accreditation. Under the direction of Patrick Verougstraete, national logistics manager, the team at CDC has every reason to be proud.
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Sonepar: Why does this certification matter?
Patrick Verougstraete: Getting ISO 9001-2000 certification means that the business puts the client first. The terms of certification recently changed. Before, it was possible to earn the label while providing low-quality service, because the primary focus was on rules and procedures. Today, results are what count. And this means that planning, execution, control and, where needed, adjustment are critical. In other words, the ongoing concerns are organization and improvement.
Sonepar: Has CDC innovated in other ways?
P.V.: Definitely. In the last few months, we’ve been working around the clock to improve the footfall zone. This is the place in the store from which our personnel retrieve small articles such as lamps and switches. We have sped up item identification and retrieval by installing fixed picking spots. In addition, items that come up several times in the same order are now put into the same package. We have also started receiving separate delivery of items that are not in stock, which accelerates order processing and in turn further reduces delivery time frames.
Sonepar: Clients can now place orders with the Cebeo e-shop until 7 pm. How are you able to ensure on-time delivery?
P.V.: If you look at the statistics, you see that our clients really appreciate this special service. The number of web-based order placements has really climbed. Before, we were getting 100 to 200 order lines after 3 pm. Today, we’re up to 500 lines. What is striking is that these late orders are not just for items clients have forgotten. From our end, it looks as if clients really like having an extra four hours to place their routine orders. At CDC, we now stop forwarding at 7 pm. It takes an hour after that to get everything ready, and by 8:30 pm the first trucks are rolling out to our transporters. Merchandise is sorted there overnight and reloaded for delivery the next business day. So you see, whenever a client visits the Cebeo e-shop and clicks a few times, he sets an entire team in motion.
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