Reel Integration Real quick at Clydeport With LocateIT

When Clydeport asked to install our WMS, they were delighted to discover we could do it three months ahead of schedule.

Clydeport Operations, a wholly owned subsidiary of Peel Ports, is Scotland’s major west coast intercontinental and Atlantic-facing port operator. With management of the River Clyde at the heart of the companies operations, the company have been providing port facilities and services for nigh on 50 years. When one of Clydeport’s customers, Norske Skog asked them to implement a warehouse management solution, they knew that they had to find a system capable of their stringent requirements.

An international paper manufacturer based primarily in Norway, Norske Skog needed Clydeport’s warehouse system to tie in with their global systems via the paper industry messaging network; papiNet.

A few years earlier, Clydebuilt were the first and only company to create such links between another customer, Russells and their major paper manufacturer. The solution was based on the use of LocateIT with standard barcode processes augmented by our specialist application that manages the import and export messages in XML format to and from papiNet.
John McCafferty, IT Manager from Clydeport operations described LocateIT WMS as having a direct influence over their new contract with Norske Skog. The key elements he was looking for from a warehouse management system was the ability to link with papiNet, and also system flexibility, enabling the system to grow as the company needs expand. Outwith system capabilities Clydeport were looking for a ‘good company’ to work with as a close working relationship is key to their ongoing success.
They certainly got all that; and more. The time scales for implementation were halved and ships were scheduled to dock early in the newyear, meaning the system had to be up and running by the 2nd January i.e. effectively 4 weeks. After working out the specifications for the new system, LocateIT was ready for installation, complete with RF infrastructure and hardware complete with fully automated links to Norske Skog via papiNet.

Andrew Hemphill, the company’s Operations Director said that the staff find the system very easy to use, and the installation was both smooth and successful, despite the implementation times being drastically reduced. Operating from January 2nd, by the time of the official opening of the Norse Skog terminal in May, LocateIT had effectively handled 48,097 reels of paper ranging from half a tonne to 2.25 tonnes each. LocateIT manages discharge paperwork, any damages or alterations (eg re-wrap) to the paper reels, records and feeds this information back.
From the initial message from Norske Skog, LocateIT receives the reel numbers and weights. Ship discharge is simplicity itself and could not be quicker, operatives scanning the bar-code on the reel which allows LocateIT to ‘tick off’ the reels, ensure accuracy and automatically report on discrepancies. Clearing the ship from the dock quickly is important to avoid unnecessary charges.
During the official opening and ribbon cutting, the senior VP of Norske Skog, Ketil Lyng remarked to Tom Allison, Chief Executive of Peel Ports, Clydeport’s parent company, that the operation had the lowest error rate of any of their partner warehouses worldwide. The work of the Clydeport project team was warmly referred to as being a key element of the successful result.
Touching base with Clydeport staff, everyone is delighted with LocateIT. In the wise words of John McCafferty, ‘It does exactly what it says on the tin’