Interview of TAdviser with the vice president for logistics of "Hilti Russia" Alexey Churyukov

Alexey Churyukov: Before answering this question, I would like to provide our company in brief. Hilti is a global solution provider and services for the professional construction industry. We develop and we offer clients the innovation products and systems worldwide. It is obvious that for maintenance of the status of the innovation leader it is extremely important to optimize own processes and to implement the advanced technology tools to render to our clients the highest level of service. Process automation is conducted as at the global, and local levels in the different directions of business.

Logistics - not an exception: lately we implemented a number of new tools for more effective work and cost reduction. In particular, automated assembly of orders in the central warehouse of the company and a number of processes of warehouse inventory. In the field of transport logistics I will note the latest project - optimization of planning of routes in the Moscow region using a software module of company CDC. It allowed us to improve interaction with transport companies which provide Hilti product delivery to clients.

Alexey Churyukov: We analyzed the experience of other companies and offers presented at the market. The decision was made quickly enough. More time was taken by the choice of the supplier - it had to correspond to criteria which are shown by Hilti to the partners. As we work in a bonus segment, we had to be sure of high quality of service and also that the proposed solution will correspond to business needs of Hilti Russia and our clients.

Alexey Churyukov: The flexibility and adaptivity, i.e. possibilities of operational setup of the program under specifics of our business were essentially important. First of all difficulties of territorial character are characteristic of construction - for example, some objects have no address but only geographical coordinates, or one client can have several building sites. On some objects there are restrictions on the tonnage, somewhere there are special requirements of temperature condition, or the system of access control. All these criteria needed to be considered when choosing the solution, and the module on which we as a result stopped, completely meets our requirements. Besides, this solution helped us to become more independent in the choice of suppliers of transport services.

Alexey Churyukov: At the moment it is 25 small trucks which we use for delivery of the tool. More dimensional transport is sometimes used to delivery of a profile.

Alexey Churyukov: Drivers of transport companies use tablets which provide them with all necessary customer information. Using these tablets drivers can scan and quickly send the transportation documentation to Hilti and use them as the navigator and also to contact directly the manager on the party of Hilti and to quickly resolve the arising issues.

Alexey Churyukov: Of course, owing to specifics of our business a certain completion was required. For example, regarding the functionality connected with zoning and identification of clients. As I already noted, not all our clients have exact addresses for delivery therefore company CDC in addition handled this issue to provide the maximum accuracy of a geolocation. Also reporting system was finished.

Alexey Churyukov: The software installation and debugging took place accurately in terms. The project also provided testing of carriers, and it was important for us that the solution was completely adapted on the party of transport company.

Alexey Churyukov: Updating of contact customer information became the biggest call. We did a lot of work with the database, brought it into accord to requirements of a system. It also demanded a certain internal reorganization of department of logistics and changes of the principles of work with transport companies.

Alexey Churyukov: We do not exclude such probability since our company always tries to consider business development perspectives. Nevertheless, at the moment the functionality of a system completely meets our requirements. In our company the transport logistics is responsible for delivery of the goods purchased by clients and also the tool which requires repair or service maintenance, or is used by clients within the program of Flit Management (service of Hilti in management of the park of the equipment of the client). The implemented module successfully solves all these problems. At the same time we use only necessary functionality that allows us to optimize costs.

Alexey Churyukov: In general integration took place rather smoothly, except the difficulties with geocoding of clients mentioned already repeatedly.

Alexey Churyukov: Yes, results are. First of all the delivery quality improved that is crucial for development of customer relations. Also we optimized costs for transportation and cross-dock. Now it is performed in the central warehouse Hilti Russia. It is important to note and positive changes in quality of interaction with transport companies - at us are now a possibility of a first line support of drivers that, in turn, allows us to provide the high level of service for our clients.

Alexey Churyukov: With pleasure I can note that a system paid for itself much earlier, than we planned.