Openfield news

Working with global logistics expert DHL as our partner, our aim is to deliver the most efficient supply chain in the industry.

The collaboration between Openfield and DHL shapes the whole supply chain, with the aim of optimising costs and service from farm gate to end user. We have seen reductions in both farm and mill turnaround times, and significant service improvements at mills.

The control tower

The DHL control tower is based in Openfield's offices in Honey Pot Lane. It features a combination of skilled and experienced supply chain professionals who are deploying 'best in class' processes. These are all underpinned by leading edge, bespoke software tools that enable our team to monitor and improve all levels of our logistics operation.

The DHL control tower works in collaboration with farmer members, hauliers and end users, creating visibility and transparency across the grain supply chain.

Leading collaboration

Openfield and DHL have also played a leading role in Project Marlin - an industry-wide collaboration project which aims to identify and remove waste and inefficiency in the supply chain. Its results, delivered in conjunction with English Farming & Food Partnerships (EFFP), DEFRA, Rank Hovis and selected farmers and hauliers, will be published later in 2009.

By combining DHL's logistics expertise with Openfield's representation at a local level, we are in a unique position to provide the industry with a truly pioneering approach to the supply of grain.

Partnership

Hauliers form an integral part of the supply chain, and both DHL and Openfield recognise the crucial role that every haulier plays in the process. We seek collaborative, open engagements with them and aim to develop long term relationships based on trust, credibility and delivery. In short, we strive for the mutual success of all involved.

Results

So far, the partnership between Openfield and DHL, along with the collaborative approach with our key haulier partners, has provided the following benefits:

• An average of 450 grain movements per day
• The ability to flex with changes in daily demand: at peak times, we have moved over 850 loads in a single day
• Improved service to mills of up to 40%
• Surety of product price for Openfield
• Reduced supply chain cost through improved planning
• 10% less road miles compared to previous seasons