Customer success story: Precision handling of critical parts

With demand for robotic surgical equipment rising, one of the global leaders in this field needed a logistics provider to support growth in Europe in order to regain focus on its core manufacturing business.

Surgeons and patients alike benefit hugely from robotic-assisted surgery and our customer wants this leading-edge technology to reach the widest possible market. As the company lacked its own supply chain expertise, it needed an international service provider who could match its high standards for precision, reliability and service. FedEx SupplyChain was chosen as the supplier best able to deliver its time-sensitive components to an increasing customer base.

For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.

Our CustomerManufacturing robots for use in different areas of surgical operations, its state-of-the art equipment allows surgeons to perform complex procedures employing minimally invasive surgery, an approach that improves clinical outcome and encourages faster patient recovery.

Hospitals are investing in this capital equipment and they need the further assurance that their equipment will remain fully operative all the times.

They simply cannot afford any delay in spare parts delivery.

Meeting this demanding service commitment was the prime reason why the customer choose FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics®, given our proven ability to ensure that time-sensitive shipments consistently arrive in the right place at the right time.

“ Our Service Engineers rely on FedEx SupplyChain to help them meet their challenging service commitments”

Why The Netherlands?

Our European Distribution Centre is based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands. Our customer benefits from this strategically selected location for the following reasons:

• Access. An ideal location from which to serve the whole of Europe. Eindhoven is close to the main sea and air port facilities of the most significant economic area of Europe at the heart of Europe’s high-tech and healthcare region.

• Cash-Flow. Additionally the Netherlands has instituted a system that provides for the deferment of VAT at the time of import, offering considerable cash-flow advantages to our customer.

For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.

FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics

To support our customer’s growing market, we recommended FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics to handle their time-sensitive, high-value products. This solution is specifically developed for such mission-critical products.

Fulfillment

Customer inventory is centralised at our European Distribution Centre in the Netherlands to optimise the processing and distribution of orders. Inbound shipments arrive from locations in the US and Europe and are entered into our state-of-the-art Warehouse Management System. Outsourcing fulfillment and stock consolidation in this way delivers efficiency gains as well as cost savings to our customer.

Order And Inventory Visibility

The system is set up to ensure all inbound shipments run parallel with the customer’s inventory and fulfillment solution. It also gives the customer the benefit of total visibility over inventory from order inception to end-user delivery, thanks to EDI and also an online portal. Such supply chain visibility is crucial for many businesses but absolutely indispensable for a medical equipment manufacturer with highly demanding service levels.

Time-Sensitive Distribution

Spare parts orders are delivered overnight from our European Distribution Centre with the option of early morning delivery available at the request of customer Service Engineers. This allows them to restore non-functioning robotic equipment within the strict service timescales agreed with their hospital clients. Confident of on-time delivery to every location also means they carry less trunk stock, reducing the risk of loss or damage to such high-value parts.

“ Spare parts delivery to hospitals overnight is key to maintaining our strict service agreements”

Pro-Active Notification And Recovery

Tight control over inventory is supported by the pro-active role of FedEx Customer Services who individually track all outbound shipments. If any obstacle is encountered during transportation, they can take immediate corrective action to make sure every shipment arrives on time. Throughout the process cost estimates and rate calculations are provided for all outbound shipments, giving the customer constant confirmation that the most favourable solution is always sought.

“ If a problem occurs during transportation, corrective action is immediate.”

For more information call +31 (0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com.

Tailored Solutions

Delivering products on time is what our customer needs most of all. Even in non-business areas and, as service windows become narrower, we help them meet their service level agreements with best-in-class flexibility, thanks to a strong network of European carriers including FedEx Express and other allied networks.

Returns Management

We were asked by the customer to help their Service Engineers return unused spare parts while they are out on the road. This was achieved by encouraging them to drop off spare parts at a depot using pre-printed return airway bills that accompanied every outbound shipment.

The parts dropped off in this way are forwarded to our European Distribution Centre where, having passed inspection, they are returned to the inventory or to the customer, depending on what has been agreed.

ISO 13485 Certification

Keen on safeguarding a strong reputation for delivering high-end surgical machines, an essential customer requirement is the ISO 13485 certification for the supply chain management of medical devices.

Certification demonstrates the excellence and continuing diligence in the storage and fulfillment of orders for medical devices, giving our customer the peace of mind that they have made the right choice of logistics service provider.

Global IT

Should our customer be called on in future to ship medical products outside Europe, they can make full use of our integrated global network, giving them any number of logistical opportunities from one single logistics provider.

FedEx. Solutions Powered by People.

Need more information? Do you want to know what FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics® can mean to your business?

Please contact our Global Solutions Sales Executive Team.

Call +31(0)40 292.2922 or go to fedex.com

The Benefits of Using FedEx Critical Inventory Logistics

Taking the time, trouble and effort to understand every aspect of a customer’s business as consistently demonstrated by our team members, produces results that exceeded expectations:

• Consolidated inventory at FedEx European Distribution Centre, eliminating the need for excess warehouse inventory and offers better network planning and speed

• Located in the Netherlands, so enjoying the Dutch geographical, logistical and fiscal advantages

• Flexibility through utilising a variety of shipping services including FedEx Express and allied networks

• Global control and visibility through one single interface and integration

• Enhanced customer satisfaction with the FedEx reliability and time-definite delivery options

• Highly flexible IT systems to meet every business requirement

• An experienced and dedicated team of specialists directly available to support you and your business that really make a difference

About FedEx SupplyChain

As an integrated logistics provider, FedEx SupplyChain puts into operation solutions that leverage the FedEx transportation and information networks in commercial markets around the world.

A company that provides integrated FedEx services for customers with high-value products or complex supply chain requirements, FedEx SupplyChain offers specialty logistics services through a network of owned and managed resources – all tightly integrated via advanced IT systems.

FedEx SupplyChain helps customers turn logistics management into a competitive strategy by enabling them to focus on core competencies, reduce costs and improve customer service.