Fagan & Whalley partners with Blue Cube Logistics

With an almost 100-year heritage, we’re incredibly proud of where we’ve come from and what we’ve accomplished. However, we understand that our success has always been rooted in our ability to adapt and innovate. That’s why we’re committed to investing in the latest tools and technology to stay ahead of the curve and keep your business thriving. 

In light of this, we’re pleased to report that our new cutting-edge Warehouse Management System (WMS) has significantly improved our warehouse operations, demonstrating increased efficiency, accuracy, and speed. 

We are proud to have partnered with Blue Cube Logistics to implement their WMS across three of our main warehouses: Burnley, Blackburn and Newport. 

What were the motivations behind this investment?

We caught up with Matt Giles, head of warehousing, to explore the reasons behind the investment. Matt reported, “We had identified the need for a new system around two years ago, and so began evaluating our requirements and assessing what options were available to us.”

“The previous systems were effective but tended to be cumbersome, and we knew that to stay ahead of the curve and offer our customers the best solutions, we needed to invest in a new and advanced technology.

“Through a process of blue-sky thinking and weekly meetings, we reviewed several competitor systems but ultimately chose Blue Cube Logistics as our best fit. The entire implementation process took around six months, with us first launching the system at the Blackburn depot in December 2023.”

He continued, “Excitingly, we are only using around 60% of the new system’s capabilities. When we consider the transformation this has already had on our operations, we’re eager to let our clients know that we are well positioned for the future and prepared to grow alongside them as the industry evolves and customer expectations increase.”

What does our new Warehouse Management System mean for customers?

• Full track and traceability of goods
• Reduced administration time
• Live reporting and audits
• User-friendly app for customers

Our new WMS allows us to track the movements of thousands of pallets with absolute precision, ensuring that stock is managed efficiently, accurately and compliantly. We can now monitor best-before dates, batch numbers and traceability with greater ease, which is crucial for maintaining the high standards our customers have come to expect. 

One of the standout features of our new system is its user-friendly interface, which seamlessly integrates with our customers’ internal systems. Client emails and communications are now automatically integrated into our new software, reducing the need for manual data entry, saving valuable time, and reducing the risk of user error.

Additionally, the WMS provides live reporting, allowing our clients to make informed decisions quickly. This is particularly beneficial for clients who operate around the clock, as they can access instant updates without waiting for traditional office hours to view updated reports. The ability to take live pictures and send them to customers further enhances our service, offering immediate visual confirmation of stock status.

Head of warehousing, Matt Giles, continued, “I like to describe our tracking capabilities a little bit like a popular pizza tracking system. Instead of seeing if your pizza order is getting prepared, in the oven, or out for delivery, clients can instantly see if their consignments are in transit, stocked in the warehouse, or en route to their customers. It’s a transparency that we’ve not been able to offer previously and that I think will be difficult to find matched elsewhere.”

How have our colleagues responded to the new system?

Matt expanded, “Our team, from the shop floor to the administrative office, have embraced the new system with enthusiasm. The feedback has been overwhelmingly positive, highlighting the system’s efficiency, ease of use and benefits to our internal team and our clients. It’s an investment we’re particularly proud of and excited to watch unfold over the next couple of years.

“Looking ahead, one of our primary goals with the new WMS is to transition to a completely paperless operation. By digitising our processes, we aim to boost efficiency and enhance the sustainability of our operations – so watch this space!”

If you’re interested in how our logistics solutions can benefit your business, please ring us on 01282 771983 or drop us a message here.