DHL manages Go Sports European distribution with Manhattan Associates

Leading supply chain solutions provider, Manhattan Associates, Inc. (NASDAQ: MANH), announced that DHL, one of the leading global logistics service providers, has implemented Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management solution at its two warehouses located near Amiens in northern France. These warehouses, covering more than 100,000 sq metres, are dedicated to managing the distribution of Go Sports sportswear and sport accessories products across Europe.

Founded in France more than 20 years ago, Go Sport is now a leading European sports and leisure brands retailer. The deployment of Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management solution on IBMs i-Series platform follows DHL winning the contract at the beginning of 2004 to manage Go Sports distribution activity.

Prior to selecting their new third party logistics provider, Go Sport created a project specifications document that included detailed requirements. First, Go Sport needed its new third party logistics provider to implement its solution in five months so that it was live for summer 2004. Second, the solution had to be able to manage the distribution of more than 100,000 items every day. Go Sport also needed the new solution to integrate with their existing ERP. Consequently, the provision of the IT system, and specifically the warehouse management solution, were key factors in Go Sports decision making process.

At the end of 2003, DHL selected Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management solution for i-Series for its two warehouses near Amiens in order to meet Go Sports project specifications. DHL made the decision to implement the solution because of its proven ability to successfully manage complex and very large warehouses and Manhattan Associates specialist knowledge of the retail market. Convinced that DHLs logistics expertise, combined with Manhattan Associates functionally rich solution, was the perfect answer to its requirements, Go Sport subsequently selected DHL as its new third party logistics provider.

Only a month after the implementation was complete, productivity levels had already matched those of the previous system. Today, the solution is used by more than 300 users at DHL and manages the distribution of Go Sports products to more than 150 shops in Europe, West Indies and Middle-East. The Warehouse Management solution is connected to Go Sports proprietary ERP, enabling real-time exchange of critical distribution data including item and supplier information, shop needs, ongoing shipments, delivery reports, inventory status, order packing follow-up and shipment reports.

Managing the logistics of a fashion apparel company is an incredibly complex process as it is affected by both rapidly changing seasons and the diversity of ranges, commented Christophe Cavailles, General Manager of DHL Fashion France. As the French and European leading third party logistics provider in this market, we need to offer our customers an unbeatable level of service. By combining our knowledge and expertise with the depth of functionality Manhattan Associates Warehouse Management solution provides, we were able to offer Go Sport exactly this.

"DHL has successfully met Go Sports challenge by finding the right solution for the retailers needs. This project represents a good example of how the combination of a highly experienced third party logistics provider and a leading supply chain solution provider can provide the needed capabilities to overcome some key constraints, especially in terms of timing and daily flows," commented Henri Seroux, managing director of Manhattan Associates France.