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Shippers and manufacturers

Freight transport services link production and consumption. Shippers and manufacturers need transport to get their products from the point of production to their target markets - distribution or other manufacturing operations. Their overall aim is making such transports more efficient and reliable while retaining the flexibility required for responding to changes in demand.

Understanding supply chains

Just-in-time supply chains have to rely on a high degree of transport quality (for example, in terms of dependable lead times, service alternatives to cope with unexpected events, required security, or a low rate of damage). BMT supports shippers and manufacturers by analysing their existing or planned operational set-up in the light of the current and future market demand as well as suitable sourcing, supply and distribution patterns. We can evaluate different strategies for different development scenarios and assess the related risks. We also take into account demand trends and likely changes in product portfolios in the future. Understanding the resulting service patterns enables BMT to identify the most efficient and reliable services, routes, transport modes, suppliers, and contracted conditions.

Outline concept of a Baltic woodchip hub

Outline concept of a Baltic woodchip hub

Beyond transport, our market intelligence will also inform decisions regarding shifts of production or changes of sourcing in order to optimise the product flow.

Environmental services

The environmental footprint of transport operations has become a critical issue for shippers and manufacturers. For once, ‘green credentials' are an increasingly important aspect of companies' public image. Customers increasingly differentiate according to the environmental performance of shippers and manufacturers. The need for action is also driven by the regulators who increasingly force companies to factor in external costs borne by the environment (‘polluter pays' principle), making an improved environmental performance also an economic necessity. BMT offers a broad range of environmental series to shippers and manufacturers - from Environmental Impact Assessments to the implementation of an ‘Environmental Scorecard' to identify and prioritise actions.

Operational assessment (OA)

The Operational Assessment (OA) is a qualified and independent evaluation of shippers' and manufacturers' operational efficiency. Rising fuel costs have set transport costs soaring, creating a strong incentive for rendering operations more fuel-efficient. The scope of an OA can inform an overall strategic management plan. Its particular measures and benchmarks will yield valuable input in many areas, for example, in the design of optimal supply chains, the selection of most suitable service providers, or the definition of service level agreements that can mitigate performance risks.

The OA for shippers and manufacturers can include

  • a comprehensive overview of operations from sourcing to distribution, including bottleneck identification
  • Identification of the saving potential of alternative supply chain concepts, including different service patterns with other points of transhipment or warehousing
  • Commercial and internal process interface analyses
  • Operational review identifying process and work flow improvements benchmarking and performance metrics
  • KPI development and implementation
  • Optimisation of facilities layout
  • Indication of most effective future investments
  • Assessment of infra- and superstructure upgrade needs

Selected references for shippers and manufacturers

Assessment of a biofuel plant location in Brunsbüttel focussing on the maritime trade of biofuels (2007)

Client: Choren Biomass GmbH

BMT assessed a site location for a biomass to liquid (BTL) bio-fuel plant and an associated maritime liquid bulk terminal in terms of sourcing logistics. BMT elaborated the options for suitable transport, handling and storage of (liquid vegetable oil) feedstock. The requirements for a suitable maritime terminal were deduced from maritime transport demand forecasts for the feedstock. Read more...

Analysis and assessment of supply chains for the bio-fuel plant of Marina-Biodiesel GmbH & Co. KG in Brunsbüttel, Germany (2007)

Client: 3B Biofuels GmbH & Co. KG

Feedstock transport costs were analysed and cost drivers were identified. Scenarios for alternative supply chains were developed and saving potentials calculated. Read more...

A strategic assessment of the future capacity of Continental transport corridors (2004)

Client: Multi-Client study

Focussing on the growth of freight transport by truck and on the effects of different road pricing levels on the use of European motorways, BMT conducted a transport policy assessment, reviewed infrastructure plans assessment and undertook future traffic simulations. Read more...

An analysis of steel distribution patterns (2003)

Client: Outokumpo

In cooperation with the University of Blekinge, Sweden, the project used the C-Plex optimisation tool to identify the optimal distribution pattern for a range of Outokumpo steel production sites and distribution markets, taking into account the different product and load unit dimensions.