Warehouse now focuses on sustainability

The aim of outsourcing warehouse is usually to achieve savings and flexibility. More and more companies also expect responsibility for the environment and their employees.

Companies can achieve cost savings of 10-30% by outsourcing logistics flows to an industry partner. Many pay fixed costs for their own warehouses, even when they are half full. Transval optimizes space utilization and security of supply for its customers by providing warehousing services to importers, online retailers, wholesalers, industrial companies and factories.

"Recently, the need for companies to strengthen local buffer stock in case of international supply problems has also become more pronounced. On the other hand, if a company's volumes suddenly drop for one reason or another, it needs to be able to adjust quickly."

Together with each customer, we assess their warehouse needs for the coming months and plan warehouse services according to the forecast. We reserve the necessary space, packaging materials and equipment, and manpower. The customer pays only for the transactions, such as receiving the products into the warehouse, storing them according to the current needs, picking, packing and shipping.

Customers are looking for flexibility

Above all, customers look to their logistics partner for flexibility, which leads to cost savings. According to him, logistics can turn up to more than forty percent of fixed costs into variable costs, freeing up significant resources on the balance sheet. Many have benefited from the flexibility of warehouse space, machinery and staffing levels as their business has grown. Warehouse should never be a bottleneck to growth or security of supply.

"Recently, the need for companies to strengthen local buffer stocks in case of international supply problems has also been highlighted. On the other hand, if for one reason or another a company experiences a sudden drop in volumes, it needs to be able to adjust quickly."

E-commerce benefits from automatic packaging machines

We recommend ensuring that your logistics partner has the capacity to make even significant investments. The warehouse of dangerous goods requires dedicated, well-regulated facilities and continuous staff training. An online shop, for example, benefits from the speed of a packing machine. The key is continuous improvement and optimizing logistics flows in a sustainable way.

"The new forklift trucks with lithium-ion batteries also make work smoother. The trucks can be charged flexibly, even during short breaks, and we don't need separate charging stations or spare batteries at all."

The latest example of sustainable development in warehouse is the new 30,000 square meter warehouse that Transval will open next year in Sipoo. It is increasingly important for both us and our customers that we do everything responsibly.

Among other things, energy efficiency and occupational safety are constantly being improved in all Transval warehouses. In the Sipoo warehouse, however, sustainability issues can be effectively addressed from the very beginning.300-meter deep trenches have been dug in the warehouse yard for the heat pump system. The aim is to produce 90 percent of the warehouse's heat energy needs with geothermal heat and the rest with electricity. 5-10% of the electricity will be generated by solar panels on the roof of the warehouse.

Optimizing the use of space to save energy

Transval also aims to minimize the consumption of energy and environmentally harmful chemicals in its warehouses. For example, temperature-controlled rooms are cooled by means of a geothermal system without refrigerants.

One of the most important ways to save energy is to optimize the use of space. Movable shelves in the warehouse take up considerably less space than fixed ones.

In Sipoo, particular attention is also paid to energy losses from loading docks. Trucks are always driven into watertight doorways and open docks are fitted with quick-closing doors that close automatically as soon as forklift traffic between the warehouse and the truck is interrupted.

"The new forklift trucks with lithium-ion batteries will also make work smoother. The trucks can be charged flexibly even during short breaks, and we don't need separate charging stations or spare batteries at all."

The biggest electricity guzzler in warehouses is usually lighting, which is why Transval uses energy-efficient LED lights in all its warehouses.

"We also use intelligent building management to ensure that lighting meets the needs of each area and reacts to presence."

Intelligent control in building services

Intelligent control of building services is also used effectively at Transval. Warehouses are already centrally controlled and will become increasingly automated in the future. At our Sipoo warehouse, for example, we predict the need for heating and cooling based on weather forecasts. If it's going to be a warm day after a cold night, the control system will reduce the heating during the night to avoid the need for cooling during the day. By controlling energy consumption and choosing energy sources, Transval is aiming for zero emissions by 2030, just like its parent company Posti Group.

In addition to environmental responsibility, Transval pays attention to social responsibility. Outsourcing a customer's own warehousing or logistics operations does not mean laying off its own logistics staff.

"As a rule, our new customers' staff will come to work for us as a result of outsourcing. Those who are professionally involved in logistics will be able to work in a company in their own field and learn new things and grow and develop in their own logistics profession."

Transval does not compromise on safety at work. Safety practices are regularly trained and communicated. All staff are encouraged to report their findings and raise suggestions for improvement. There have been no accidents at the Sipoo warehouse site. Everyone should be able to go home from work in good health - regardless of their job.

Three-certificate package - an exception in the logistics sector

Transval has quality, environmental and safety certificates to keep its own standards high and meet customer requirements. In particular, a certificate focusing on health and safety at work is still rare in the logistics sector.

ISO 9001:2015 Quality management systems

ISO 14001:2015 Environmental management system

ISO 45001:2018 Occupational health and safety management

Transval_varastointi_GB