Scheuten
Klantcase Scheuten Scheuten Glas has been working with e-CMR for 5 years Scheuten Glas, one of the market leaders in the Netherlands in flat glass for the construction industry, has been working with e-CMR for five years. Drivers from the transport companies Lannutti/Schade, Emons/van Huet, P. Daemen, Simon Loos, Kees Koopman, Wessels transport, Eurogaume, H. Winnen, PWT Belgium and Glass Partners Transport Group apply the e-CMR process across the board. for Scheuten, both on the incoming and outgoing flows. So time for a party! During the Day of the Truck Driver, Bossche Bollen were ready at the reception. With this, Scheuten Glas and Collect + Go celebrate that drivers have been at the forefront of applying e-CMR in recent years. Continuous process improvement Scheuten Glas started in 2020 to move from paper to digital, says Math Heetkamp, Logistics Manager. “This immediately provided us with important benefits. The status of shipments is visible at any time, both upstream and downstream. The logistics department immediately receives a message when a shipment is out of schedule, so that customers can be informed quickly and correctly.” It soon became apparent that the handling of shipments is also faster. Warehouse employees sign shipments with a secure signature or PIN code and drivers can drive away immediately when the truck is loaded. “After the first year, we started working on improving the return process for glass jars. What was striking is that the processes become much tighter once you get started with e-CMR. We are now reaping the benefits of this every day. We are currently working on finalizing the process for unplanned return packaging. With this way of working, we remain at the forefront of construction logistics, which fits our ambition as a modern player in glass processing,” says Heetkamp. Security and compliance In addition to sustainability, data security and compliance with laws and regulations were very important. Heetkamp: “In construction it is important to be able to demonstrate how we left the goods behind. Photos play an important role in this. The exceptions are also structured. With Collect + Go’s easy-to-activate signing processes, placing a secure signature is also a piece of cake. This was very nice during the Corona pandemic, because it allowed us to keep our distance from each other. With the e-CMR recognition from the Benelux authorities, we are compliant with laws and regulations. The ISO27001 certification offers comfort in the field of data security.”
BTT
Klantcase BTT BTT digitizes container handling with e-CMR BTT Multimodal Container Solutions offers sustainable container logistics, with full-service solutions for container handling and transport, nationally and internationally. With its own barge and rail terminals in Tilburg, Eindhoven and Bergen op Zoom, dozens of connections to and from Rotterdam, Antwerp, Poland and China are maintained every week. The introduction of e-CMR was a long-cherished wish of Sjoerd de Roover, business engineering & IT manager. ‘E-CMR has been on my radar since 2019. As a multimodal service provider, we have to deal with a lot of paperwork. That is outdated, but is deeply rooted in the operation. So you can’t just change that.’ Collect + Go understands this. They align their solutions with our processes. This makes the transition to paperless working clear. We recently started to use Syncreon, one of our customers with a lot of administrative handling. Flexible drawing processes Collect + Go’s drawing processes can be easily integrated into daily practice. This is important because there are different transfer moments in container transport. We place the container at the customer’s loading lock, but our drivers do not open the container. The signature for receipt will then follow at a later time. In that case, the customer signs via the web portal. This means that the container is reported empty to us. This immediately generates a trigger that the container is empty and can be retrieved. In addition, it is also possible to report the container empty during loading and unloading activities. Security and compliance In addition to sustainability, data security and compliance with laws and regulations are very important. De Roover: “We collect goods from customers and in the port of Rotterdam. Collect + Go already works with parties that add extra security to the process for collecting and returning containers. This is important, because it allows us to prepare for smart integrations that are already being used on other terminals. With the e-CMR recognition from the Benelux authorities, we are compliant with laws and regulations. The ISO27001 certification offers comfort in the field of data security.” Further rollout Because e-CMR provides important benefits for BTT, the application of Collect + Go will be further implemented in the near future. De Roover: “e-CMR is also very interesting in the multimodal process. We have already done a first test on the Tilburg-Rzepin corridor.”
Smurfit Kappa
Customer case Smurfit Kappa Trucks at Smurfit Kappa get on the road faster with e-CMR Smurfit Kappa is one of the largest players in paper-based packaging worldwide. The company in Roermond supplies the rolls of paper that are used to make cardboard packaging. Various transporters are used in European distribution. To optimize this process, Smurfit Kappa has integrated Collect + Go’s e-CMR solution into its business operations. This fits seamlessly with the goods issue from SAP. At Smurfit Kappa they were looking for a solution that provides legal cover and allows for faster handling of the truck. Marc Scheeren, logistics manager at Smurfit Kappa, says: “Our factory site is small. As a result, we have to adjust and measure with transport movements. E-CMR enables us to have trucks leave more quickly.” Signing at the forklift Collect + Go’s e-CMR solution offers the opportunity to place the decoupling point for document signing deeper in the operation. Scheeren says: “The forklift driver loads the rolls of paper onto the tautliner. The driver can sign with the forklift driver. He no longer has to go in and can leave immediately. Transporters can choose how they integrate the e-CMR process into their daily operations. This was essential for us, because transporters and our customers must also be able to work with it. Collect + Go has the know-how and can make this happen.” The implementation went smoothly from the moment IT was on board. In the elaboration there appeared to be several sub-processes. That is why it is important to have a clear understanding of the handling scenarios from the start. Scheeren: “An intercompany shipment works differently than a delivery to the external customer. By involving all parties involved, both internally and externally, we can now roll out the e-CMR process across the board. The technology supports this.” No-nonsense approach Collect + Go provided the Smurfit Kappa project team with the necessary technical specifications and supervised the process from the start. Scheeren explains: “With the help of a few tools we were able to make the connection with our own SAP application. We had regular contact with the Collect + Go team and received immediate answers to our questions thanks to the short lines of communication.” More efficient and user-friendly Collect + Go’s e-CMR solution provides Smurfit Kappa and its chain parties with a number of benefits. Scheeren: “Digitalization not only saves us a lot of costs, but is also more sustainable. With Collect + Go we now have digital proof of delivery, which is important both legally and operationally. Furthermore, the system allows us to better manage our customers’ expectations by delivering a more modern and user-friendly experience. For example, deliveries can be tracked in real time.”
Brouwers Transport
Customer case Brouwers Transport e-CMR in cross-dock:Brouwers Transport from ‘s-Hertogenbosch has been working with e-CMR for two years. Drivers handle their administration within the ZF/Transics question path. The process runs in the background. This saves a lot of paper and hassle. So time for a party! During the Day of the Truck Driver, Bossche Bollen were ready in the company canteen. With this, Brouwers and Collect + Go celebrate that drivers have been at the forefront of applying e-CMR in recent years. Cross-docking! We have different scenarios, says Nick Brouwers, logistics director. “We collect shipments that we cross-dock on the Rietveldenkade. Our A-B shipments are delivered to the customer immediately after collection. It is therefore essential that the e-CMR process can be configured to these handling scenarios. Collect + Go understands this and has the technology for it.” The integrations with the TMS package from TAS and the on-board computer solution from ZF/Transics are crucial to properly manage the process. Connectivity here is very important. “Here we encountered the limits of existing technology. Correct synchronization of data and consistent handling of the work process by the driver must be robust, otherwise you will not reach 100%. We have had some challenges in this regard. Fortunately, things are going well now and we are at 98%.” Further rollout With our new warehouse we now also have the option to open up the issuance of goods for e-CMR from the WMS. With this addition, we can move towards the ultimate goal of being completely paperless throughout the entire organization. That is one of our good intentions for 2024.
16 companies start with e-CMR in container logistics
e-CMR in container logistics After the kick-off on June 27, 2024 at Rotterdam Shortsea Terminal, we started working to further involve parties. This resulted in 16 registrations for the Living Lab digitization of e-CMR: seven terminals, four carriers and five shippers. Five companies have now started implementing the digital consignment note. In the Living lab, technology companies, terminals, shippers and transporters work closely together to digitize logistics and administrative processes in container logistics in an innovative way. With paperless, efficient and safe multimodal container transport as the highest goal. Below you will find an overview of the participating companies: Kraaijeveld Groente en FruitContainer Terminal DoesburgBTT | Multimodal Container SolutionsVos LogisticsBoekestijn TransportMarkiezaat Container TerminalHeuschen & SchrouffLamb Weston EMEARotterdam Shortsea TerminalsLogistiek Centrum Gorinchem B.V.Inland Terminals GroupInt. Transport OverbeekFrigo WarehousingMelkweg FritomUnidex Holland In the coming months, various IT parties will realize a digital ecosystem for container logistics. This forms the foundation of the digital solution. This allows companies to safely exchange data with each other. This will soon allow data exchange to take place at container level with which various e-CMR providers can handle the signing of the digital consignment note based on gate in/out events. E-CMR is therefore the first actual logistics application in this digital ecosystem. Innotractor, Secure Logistics and Collect + Go recently had several sessions to develop an initial draft. In the coming weeks, the design of the digital ecosystem will be completed and the technical setup can begin. In parallel, participants can already start the e-CMR implementation together with their e-CMR provider. The e-CMR application for import will be put into production at the end of this year and the export flow will be added next year. Open technology model To facilitate and guarantee broad applicability and adoption in container logistics, coordination has also been sought with Portbase, deep-sea terminals and other e-CMR providers. Portbase can play a role within this Living Lab to make the e-CMR dataset available to supply chain parties. This is now being explored further. Discussions are also underway with deep-sea terminals to integrate their gate out/in processes, so that transporters can ultimately work in a uniform manner in the port of Rotterdam. In addition, e-CMR providers Cargoledger and Beurtvaartadres/Transfollow have also been willing to participate in this initiative. The Basic Data Infrastructure (BDI) helps to facilitate secure data exchange between supply chain parties within an open technology model: a digital container logistics ecosystem! The digital consignment note (or e-CMR) is the first application. More are expected to follow, such as order booking, CO2 footprint and supply chain visibility. Voucher arrangement Do you also want to get started with e-CMR and do you have container flows? Then register for the voucher scheme! You will then receive a subsidy of up to 10,000 euros. More information about this scheme can be found at this website. Book an online meeting if you want to know more about this initiative and the voucher arrangement.
IAA – Autonomous driving, EVs, and connectivity
Autonomous driving, EVs, and connectivity These were the buzzwords and key themes at the IAA, one of the largest European trade fairs for truck and component manufacturers. Last week, I spent a few days in Hannover. Traditionally, this fair has been all about tough men and their machines. This year, however, the focus shifted to sustainability, autonomous driving, and connectivity. There were test drives in electric trucks, charging solutions from various providers—everything you could imagine. As the son of a farmer who grew up on a crop farm, one thing that stood out to me was the autonomous tractor from Krone. It looked strange—no cab, no steering wheel. But then it clicked: the field is the perfect environment for autonomous driving. No traffic, just plowing or mowing in straight lines. German Economy and Climate Minister Habeck, came to the Krone stand with a large press delegation and announced that Germany is leading the way in autonomous driving. He mentioned two of our partners, Krone and ZF, as industrial leaders in this field. Autonomous driving has been on our agenda for a while too. We’re already working on digitizing goods transfers so that no human intervention is needed. At Lamb Weston, the fries go straight from the conveyor belt into the trailer. At container terminals, there’s no one there to sign anything, and the driver gets an interchange receipt from a kiosk. These are interesting process points for us to link with e-CMR handling so that the paperwork is automatically taken care of at the point of handover—without the drivers needing to do anything. This fits perfectly with our motto: “Drivers and paperwork don’t make a good combination.” We share this knowledge with truck manufacturers as well. PACCAR launched its new marketplace and app store, PACCAR Connect. at the IAA. They’re now the first truck manufacturer to offer a connectivity platform by default, where drivers can work on an integrated tablet even outside the vehicle. This tablet syncs with the fixed unit in the truck. Transport managers can push apps of their choice to the drivers via an MDM (Mobile Device Management) system. The initial sales figures are promising. Many field tablets have already been delivered with the purchase of new trucks. New and existing DAF trucks (as old as 2015!) can be equipped with this option. Through our own app and partner model, we’re now even more connected with drivers. When a carrier uses its own app or a fleet management app like ZF Transics, TIS, LBase, Logi-App, Data2Track of Modality Truck App, e-CMRs can also be processed within the PACCAR Connect platform. Now we just need to ensure the process is robust enough to handle changing drivers. As a company based in Brabant, we’re excited to contribute to the further development of such functionalities. Our ambition is to tell you more about it next year at Transport and Logistics in Munich or at the next IAA in Hannover. Want to know more? Make an appointment via the contactform on our website.
