How a global fashion brand scaled fulfilment across Asia

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Before a single product moves or a system goes live, operational success starts with one thing: clarity. One global fashion brand recently proved just how powerful that clarity can be when it set out to transform its fulfilment model across Asia. What started as an ambition to grow in Asia became a structured, multi-stream programme — involving entity setup, system integration, logistics transformation, and legal readiness.

The goal wasn’t just about expanding footprint — it was about making fulfilment faster, smarter, and more resilient in one of the world’s most complex regions.

Here’s how we helped them achieve it — and how you can apply the same principles to your own operations.

 

1. From Complexity to Clarity: Designing a Fulfilment Blueprint That Works

The fashion brand aimed to operationalise a new APAC commercial hub, shifting demand and distribution from UK fulfilment to a new regional warehouse in Vietnam. That meant launching a new legal entity, building a logistics network, and ensuring business-as-usual from day one.

But they didn’t dive straight into logistics or system integrations.

We started with what we call Clarity Mapping — a structured, cross-functional approach to define:

- What success looks like (North Star outcomes)
- What risks exist (and how to mitigate them)
- What dependencies matter most

✅ The result? Clear project priorities, aligned teams, and a unified roadmap that leaders and operators could rally behind.

2. Better Stock Accuracy Through Real-Time Data & Integrated Operations

One key success factor: accurate, real-time inventory tracking. We oversaw We oversaw the integration of the brand’s ERP system (M3) with their logistics partner’s WMS in Vietnam, supported by middleware (Mulesoft), to deliver end-to-end fulfilment visibility. (from inbound to outbound).

Key improvements included:

- Fully documented Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for inbound, storage and outbound
- Advance Shipping Notices (ASNs) to minimise receiving errors
- Live dashboards and automated reports for real-time stock accuracy
 Impact: Inventory accuracy significantly improved, and warehouse teams could shift from reactive work to proactive fulfilment (less time firefighting and more time fulfilling).

 ASNs alone helped reduce warehouse processing times by up to 30 per cent.

 3. Smarter Fulfilment for Asia — Designed for Speed, Built for Scale

Shifting fulfilment to a regional hub wasn’t just about cost — it was about building an APAC logistics model that improved speed to market while reducing reliance on UK operations. Thus establishing the commercial and operational entity serving the region as long sea freight times and customs challenges were major risks.

Here’s how we helped make the fulfilment smarter, not just faster:

- Controlled-environment warehouse fit-out in Vietnam
- Airfreight flexibility and alternate logistics partners
- Clear and tested communication matrix to streamline coordination, helping to cut email overload
- Manual override processes (contingency protocols) for invoicing and customs delays/issues

 Outcome: A faster, clearer, more resilient fulfilment model tailored to Asia, with fewer disruptions, improving both efficiency customer experience across the region.

4. Seamless System Integration Across Systems, Teams, and Time Zones Without Surprises

Behind the scenes, System alignment was critical to operational success. We led the multi-stage integration of ERP, WMS, and middleware through detailed testing and phased implementation— ensuring nothing got lost in translation between platforms or teams.

What that looked like:

- Multiple rounds of End-to-end User Acceptance Testing (UAT)
- Validated go/no-go checkpoints
- Cross-system reporting for PO/DO tracking and fulfilment performance to surface and resolve errors in real time
- Fallback options to manage data mismatches or cutover risks

 The team hit go-live on time with inbound operations and outbound shipping starting only two months apart— and was operationally ready and reached business-as-usual within three months thanks to test cycles and fallback planning.

5. Leading with a North Star, Not Just a Timeline

Above all, what made this programme successful wasn’t just task execution — it was strategic alignment. Leadership across logistics, legal, finance, and IT had one shared vision: improve fulfilment speed, cost efficiency, and scalability in Asia.

This wasn’t just about ticking boxes or getting to go-live — it was about ensuring the project delivered what the business actually needed:

  • Speed to market
  • Inventory accuracy
  •  Scalable service for future growth

We helped define and map every decision — from warehouse fit-out, customs procedures, tech, process, and team — back to that outcome.

- The philosophy?

Clarity before complexity.

Don’t race into fulfilment. Start with purpose and design it smart from the beginning.

Imagine Your Ops Like This

What if your operations had real-time inventory accuracy, were regionally optimised with tailored fulfilment, and integrated systems seamlessly connected that didn’t need babysitting?

What if your logistics transformation felt structured — not stressful?

What if every stakeholder, from warehouse to finance, was on the same page from day one?

That’s what smart fulfilment looks like.

That’s what we deliver every day: smart, scalable, structured fulfilment.

- Ready to rethink your fulfilment strategy?

Let’s chat.

We’ll help you stress-test your current model, flag hidden risks, and design operations that scale — without the chaos.

 

Enjoyed this? Read more from North Star Projects

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