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ePaper created 2015-04-22, 14:48:24 | version 1.37.0
10 Issue One 2015 Cover Story There is no trade margin added onto the purchase: Meyer QSL only functions as a logistics company which also takes over the role of the trading business. "We see ourselves as a logistics provider for restaurant chains and not as a fresh food network open to all," Bap- pert says. This business area is also the industry segment to which the company traces back its roots and into which it entered after it had won Burger King as its first customer in 2007. The fast food chain is still QSL's biggest client and entrusts the logistics company with its entire supply chain, including operational procurement. Think too and think ahead QSL anticipates a good deal of its customers' wishes. This goes as far as contacting clients whenever there is a large event happening near- by and during which they will have to expect a lot of people coming in. Usually, restaurants are only stocked for one week in advance. But, of course, the service provider and its clients can respond with flex- ibility to particular events. "Consumption strongly depends on the individual restaurant," Bappert says. "We are keeping tabs on con- sumption and will order accordingly. The proposed list of purchases will then be sent to the restaurant. If more is needed, the restaurant can intervene as well and order additional supplies." The drivers deliver everything in a single package to the agreed pick-up location. The customer has three hours to inspect the de- livery. It is called Drop and Go and requires complex organisation in the background. The pallet with the ordered goods is put to- gether, packaged, and photographed at the warehouse before the products are completely wrapped in plastic from a wrap machine and labelled with a barcode. Always the latest technology The offer encompasses all goods in all temperature ranges, delivered in one package from one single source: "When it comes to temper- ature-controlled food transportation, we pride ourselves on always using the latest technology available, for example, regarding trailer bodies and refrigeration units," Bappert says. Telematics plays a par- ticularly prominent role in this process: Temperatures are constantly measured across all three of the vehicle's temperature ranges, and the data is sent to the data processing centre. A special monitoring sys- tem analyses this data and notifies the drivers of any irregularities in one of the temperature zones, e.g., by sending a message to their smartphone. "This translates into rapid response times to technical difficulties," the managing director explains. "But should it already be too late, we will provide and pick the replacement parts." QSL takes over responsibility for the entire transport, with re- gard to both financial issues and proper goods quality. Hence, the logistics provider also processes returns: "If problems arise, we'll take the goods back. We also talk to the manufacturer and solve the issue." Meyer Quick Service Logistics is a full-service logistics supplier to restaurant chains (left). The picture shows how food is being delivered to a Pizza Hut store. The cuisine of luxury restaurants (top right) has different requirements, but it needs the same perfect logistics chain in the background.