New technologies and continued pressure on margins are forcing the logistics sector to become more flexible. Time for an on-demand warehouse solution, thought the initiators behind the platform Stockspots.
The online marketplace brings together supply and demand for warehouse capacity and related services. Through a management system in the cloud, users get insight into stock, shipments and warehouse capacity. A logistics provider looking for storage space for the months of January and February can search for it on Stockspots. The available location can indicate how much capacity is available and whether equipment and staff are also provided.
Also read: Flexible warehousing gets you closer to your final destination
Sharing economy
"We saw that on average 10 to 20 per cent of warehouse capacity in the Netherlands is empty during the year," says co-initiator Remko Beem. "In particular, seasonal products squeeze empty square metres." According to the founders, the establishment of Stockspot is in line with other sharing economy initiatives. "The sharing economy has been on the rise for years. Platforms like Airbnb are popping up, making it easier for customers to choose flexible and sustainable solutions. So isn't a marketplace for on-demand warehousing the logical step for the sector?", explains co-founder Coen de Lange.
The platform will be launched on 1 October. In the coming months, Stockspots will develop the practical operation of the platform together with future users. In a press release, the founders state that Kennis Transport, Mepavex, Sanders Fritom, Axell Logistics and Partner Logistics have already indicated they will use the platform. Neutral customs service provider Gaston Schul will start offering capacity for customs and excise storage.
Stocks close to the end customer
According to Top Sector Logistics, Stockspots offers a sustainable solution."Stocks can be kept in a strategic location, closer to the end customer, saving unnecessary kilometres. Better utilisation of warehouse capacity also gives a positive effect on the market and thus on the strategic warehouse position of the Netherlands," said Machteld Leijnse, general director of Connekt.
Editorial LogistiekProfs
