November 2024
Hatmill - Supply Chain & Logistics Advisors | B Corp?
We believe all supply chains can be improved; forecasting, inventory, warehouses, automation, transport - we do it.
Welcome to this month’s Hatmill newsletter.?
Earlier this week, we attended the The Supply Chain Excellence Awards as we were shortlisted for the supply chain innovation award with GS Yuasa. ?It was great to see such a wide range of innovative and progressive developments across the industry being celebrated, including several of our clients winning awards. But it's tough out there and with well documented challenges continuing to impact many businesses and with?peak just around the corner, we all need to pull together, share knowledge and expertise if we want to achieve high levels of performance.
There was a lack of specific measures for the logistics sector in this week's Budget which is disappointing. This could have a negative impact on innovation at a time when we need it most. The 'double whammy' of the rise in minimum wage plus a hike in NI contribution will put increased pressure on supply chains and mean tough decisions for many. ?Several posts on LinkedIn have talked about increasing employment costs making automation more attractive.? Whilst this might be true, automating warehouse operations is not simple or low cost.? We’re seeing the implementation of ‘lower cost’ automation such as AMRs and AGVs still presenting challenges in terms of hitting business case targets and managing the shift from managing people to managing technology.? Automation continues to be something requiring a proven, structured approach to realise its benefits.
According to the Autumn Statement, transitioning to net zero and delivering on the government’s clean energy superpower mission is central to ensuring sustainable and resilient long-term growth and building jobs and investment. That’s going to put the onus back on companies to up their game on climate change.?
If we’re really going to achieve net zero in the UK, the biggest barrier is going to be the complexity of decarbonising supply chains.? That’s unsurprising given that for most companies, most emissions are scope 3 – indirect emissions in the value chain. We're seeing companies struggle with the lack of appropriate technology solutions to gather and analyse data and often the lack of appropriate data in the first place! ?The pressure is growing on businesses to have the capability to measure, control and reduce emissions.? This is coming from legislation, consumer interest and a recognition that we all need to do our bit.? However, it’s not easy.? We’re now asking supply chain leaders to manage multi-faceted operations achieving high levels of performance across customer service, cost, quality, health and safety and emissions. It’s no wonder that we feel over-whelmed from time to time.
In this month's newsletter, we're focusing on sustainability and are delighted to launch our Responsible Business Health Check to help businesses understand their ESG performance.
Following on from our recent B Corp certification, we're seeing an uptick in enquiries in this area. Our partnership with Flotilla allows us to combine our supply chain expertise with their carbon accounting toolkit, making it easy to get a grip on the journey to net zero. Something we know several clients will be commencing in the new year, once the annual peak trading stampede is over.
Simon Dixon - Founder & CEO
Greener Logistics and Sustainable Supply Chains
At Hatmill, sustainability is at the heart of everything we do. In today's fast-paced world, responsible business practices are crucial, especially in the supply chain and logistics sectors. Our unwavering commitment to sustainability drives us to continuously minimise our environmental impact, uphold social responsibility, and maintain robust governance practices. By integrating these principles into our operations, we not only meet the growing demands of our customers, regulators, and stakeholders but also contribute to a more sustainable future for all.
But we don't stop there.
Our Net Zero Services help clients identify carbon emissions hotspots, comply with sustainability regulations, and plan actionable steps toward net zero targets, including generating annual carbon reports. We also offer Supply Chain Improvements such as transport and network reviews, warehouse automation, and cost reduction strategies to minimise fuel consumption and greenhouse gas emissions. Through our partnership with Flotilla, clients can access the Flotilla World platform to manage their sustainability journey, from tracking emissions to setting action plans specific to the supply chain and logistics industry. This comprehensive platform provides dashboards, emissions analytics, and a streamlined data collection process, supporting each step toward achieving net zero.
Introducing the Responsible Business Health Check
We are excited to announce the launch of our Responsible Business Health Check, a new tool developed in collaboration with Flotilla . This quick and easy online survey is designed specifically for supply chain and logistics businesses to assess their ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) performance.
What is the Responsible Business Health Check?
The Responsible Business Health Check is a purpose-built tool for supply chain and logistics professionals. It helps you understand where your business stands on key ESG metrics, providing actionable insights to strengthen your operations while meeting growing customer, regulatory, and stakeholder demands.
Who can use it?
The tool is designed for businesses of all sizes within the supply chain and logistics industry. It’s suitable for everyone involved in managing or overseeing your operations, from frontline logistics and supply chain management teams right up to the C-suite. Engaging various parts of your business will provide a well-rounded perspective, helping you see how different teams view your ESG efforts and identify opportunities for alignment and improvement.
What will you learn?
By completing the Responsible Business Health Check, you’ll receive a personalised report that provides valuable insights into your company’s ESG performance. Your report will include:
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Take action today
In supply chain and logistics, sustainability isn’t just a trend; it’s a critical part of long-term success. Taking the Responsible Business Health Check is the first step toward a stronger, more sustainable future for your operations. It’s fast, free, and will give you the clarity you need to make informed decisions.
?? October Insights
?? Spotting Peak Trading Issues Early ??
As we approach the most critical period of the year for many businesses, it's essential to identify and address potential issues early. In his latest article, Alexander Hirst shares valuable insights on how to spot early warning signs during peak trading. From conducting post-peak reviews to ensuring your MHE/automation servicing is up to date, Alex covers it all.
In other news
???Exciting Collaboration Alert!???
Members of our Automation team, Alexander Hirst, Andrew Smith, Joshua Polding MBA and Philip Beasley had an insightful meeting with Jake Fisher and Tiernan Treacy from AutoStore?.
They discussed a game-changing collaboration and got exclusive training on their software for designing Autostore automated storage and retrieval systems (AS/RS). Hatmill are the first UK consultancy to access this platform, giving us a competitive edge in scoping automated sites. This tool lets us present virtual Autostore solutions directly to clients and bust common myths about its capabilities. With our new expertise, we can better assess if Autostore is the right fit for our clients and challenge unsuitable proposals.
Want to know more? Contact us.
???We are Finalists!???
We announced that Hatmill has been named a finalist in the?Yorkshire Post Excellence in Business Awards?in the?medium business category!
Whilst our clients and team are based across the UK, Europe and US, our roots are very firmly in Yorkshire. We’re proud to work with many iconic Yorkshire institutions including Jet2.com and Jet2holidays and Bettys & Taylors of Harrogate. We're looking forward to celebrating at the awards ceremony on 24 November at Headingley Stadium.