3 logistics solutions for the wine sector

Two years after the beginning of the pandemic, we can confirm that the wine sector is gradually recovering. That is because its consumption is growing to pre-pandemic levels after the presence of really important stock problems derived from the lack of sales and reduction of production due to the pandemic.

On the other hand, we should not overlook the current threats to post-pandemic recovery that also affect the other sectors. From the increase in the price of supplies and their shortage to the political and economic tension caused by the invasion of Ukraine, which have left a difficult panorama for the restoration.

One solution for logistics in the wine sector to cope with the growing demand and cost savings has been digitization and with it, the use of digital tools to improve internal processes. In this case, the planning of e-commerce and in-store distribution routes and the tracking of deliveries through a mobile application have improved the quality of service. The customer is the most important thing and a mistake in delivery can be catastrophic for their confidence and satisfaction.

But let's go a step further and discover the ways in which logistics solutions for the wine industry can help in the supply chain. Here are some of them:

Transportation Management

An essential part of logistics in the wine sector is transportation. We are talking about a product that is sensitive not only to sudden temperature changes but also to the duration of the journey. To this must be added the weight of glass, which in some cases can exceed the maximum authorized weight and the consequent penalty that this entails.

With a transport management system we will be able to optimize not only the specific loads needed but also the routes. All this taking into account the necessary conditions to load wines safely without losing quality. This is undoubtedly one of the most important logistics solutions for the wine industry.

Traceability

Another problem faced by logistics in the wine sector is fraud caused by the lack of traceability of the origin of the products. To validate the quality of the wine, especially if it is a high-priced product distributed in bulk, it is very important to have the location of the components in hand. In this way, apart from fraud, we can avoid excessive costs for the recall of products in the market that are out of our control.

Among the logistics solutions for the wine sector, it is important to implement a warehouse management system or WMS, which has a good identification and coding system. That is because its correct labeling can unequivocally guarantee the origin of the products, particularly if they are high quality wines. Besides that a blockchain system is perfect in traceability. That is because such processes become more transparent for the consumer and more secure for producers thanks to its encrypted blockchain system.

Route optimizer

Within the logistics in the wine sector, let's imagine the case of a distribution company where routes are generated manually and it is the transporters who decide their route. How much time is spent on planning? And the total distance traveled by each vehicle? Could we save the number of routes? And vehicles?

The answer is yes.

Optimizing routes using software only takes a few minutes compared to doing it manually. Finding the most optimal route, reducing fleet size and reducing the number of routes run are advantages associated with the use of a route planner. In addition, a reduction in the distance traveled by our carriers reflects a lower fuel expenditure, which implies a reduction of CO2 gases to the environment from the trucks. If we add to this the use of mobile applications for both drivers and customers, we will keep them informed in real time of any unforeseen event and thus avoid the eternal calls.

If, in addition to optimizing routes, we also manage the loads of our fleet, we will save on logistics costs and planning time, as well as optimizing empty kilometers. Therefore, it is not only one of the logistics solutions for the wine sector, but it is also important for other sectors.

At Hedyla we help logistics companies in their digital transformation, among other things by implementing dynamic route planning systems and real-time delivery tracking, as well as including small developments to organize orders on pallets and simplify vehicle loading. Thanks to these systems, a distributor (or company) can reduce the time spent on route planning by 20% to 25%. By centralizing all the information, it is possible to know in real time the status of deliveries and the performance of operations and obtain information on CO2 emissions, among other data.