Warehousing and logistics

Prepare for seasonal demand spikes or industry disruptions with an agile warehousing strategy

Challenge: The disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic have sparked a lot of talk about supply chain resilience. To prevent supply shortages, many retailers are doubling up on suppliers, sourcing closer to home, strengthening inventory levels, and investing in their own logistics networks, all of which can come at the expense of higher costs that are eventually passed on to end customers. Some retailers have even overestimated inventory needs and have become stuck with excess inventory that must be stored long-term or marked-down for quick sale.

It can often be difficult for retailers to match available warehouse space with constantly changing demand, which can lead to surplus or shortage.

Solution: With a focus on agility, allocating resources flexibly and swiftly to where they’re needed most, Iron Mountain Warehousing and Logistics can help you prepare for anticipated seasonal demand spikes and respond to unanticipated disruptions. We maintain warehouses throughout the UK, with a focus on quick onboarding, technology-enabled integration, and contract terms that can be measured in months instead of years.

Use valuable facility space to treat patients instead of storing overflow medical supplies and personal protection equipment.

Challenge: The onset of the COVID-19 pandemic exposed various weaknesses in our preparedness for unexpected emergencies. As many large manufacturers shut down or stopped exporting goods, stocks of critical supplies and equipment quickly ran out. Although necessary, items such as masks, gloves, shields, goggles, and ventilators were scarce, which prevented many healthcare organisations from fully supporting patient needs.

These issues are not exclusively associated with global pandemics. Emergency events or natural disasters such as floods, extreme heat, or even terrorist attacks can cause unprecedented and unanticipated immediete needs for emergency supplies. Often, the nature of the emergency can make it difficult or even impossible to transport resources from other areas, and issues like theft or price gouging can occur. Furthermore, many healthcare facilities don’t have excess space or it can be too cost-inhibitive to store these supplies onsite.

Solution: Iron Mountain Warehousing and Logistics can store and deliver your emergency response equipment and supplies so that you can access them in the event of a disaster or medical emergency. Our secure network of facilities located throughout UK will ensure a fast and seamless response, helping you focus on patient care during an emergency. We have the ability to store, manage, kit, and deliver medical supplies (masks, gowns, face shields, etc.), medical equipment (wheelchairs, IV poles/supplies, respirators, etc.), non-hazardous test kits, common medication, and first-responder equipment (first-aid kits, canned goods, torches, shelters, etc.).

Align product distribution strategy with evolving manufacturing footprint strategy to drive agility.

Challenge: Ongoing uncertainty and disruptions are forcing organisations to reevaluate and rethink their manufacturing footprint strategies. Many organisations are focused on building or expanding facilities closer to end users, with a recent survey showing around three-quarters of companies have increased the number of their British suppliers (Make UK, Infor).

This shift to localisation can cause challenges for the logistics function, especially as the manufacturing strategy continues to evolve. Fixed product distribution networks can be costly and take time to build out, and it may not be feasible to maintain in-house warehouse and labour assets in all localised markets.

Solution: Iron Mountain Warehousing and Logistics can support your evolving manufacturing footprint strategy by supplementing your product distribution network with local warehousing, labour, and transportation resources. With facilities located throughout the UK and a flexible approach to service agreements, our services provide the support that you need to build an agile product distribution strategy.