The future of international transportation of consumer goods: trends and innovations

Consumer goods are a very broad group that includes all products that meet basic human subsistence needs. What modern solutions will facilitate the transportation of such goods?

Artificial intelligence in the transportation of FMCG goods

The use of innovative technological solutions in the field of AI and Big Data is a trend that, while it is already in high demand, there is still a growing trend in this area. There are many indications that the share of artificial intelligence in logistics and transportation operations for the FMCG industry will grow rapidly from year to year.

Digitization and automation may touch such aspects as:

– automated warehouse management,

– autonomous trucks distributing goods around the warehouse space,

– meticulous monitoring of stocking and prevention of both shortages and excesses,

– autonomous generation and reading of warehouse and transport labels,

– controlling transported cargo in real time.

Just-in-Time logistics in the context of consumer goods

While demand for consumer goods never wanes, it is important to remember that its growth often goes hand in hand with waste. Implementing solutions to prevent it is one of the strongest logistics trends for the coming years.

Just-in-Time (JIT) logistics fits perfectly into this premise. Under this term is a specific way of managing production processes, which involves matching them to current demand. Here, artificial intelligence is involved in the development of the production plan.

This solution is conducive to reducing not only product waste, but also the storage space needed. This translates into a financial benefit for the investor.

The importance of reverse logistics in the FMCG industry

Return logistics is a concept embedded in the nature of the FMCG sector. The law provides consumers with the opportunity to return purchased goods, and return management activities are the last stage of the supply chain.

Contrary to appearances, it does not just boil down to providing the customer with the opportunity to return goods in a certain way. Return merchandise must also be properly organized in such a way as to reduce waste and carry out inspection of re-sellable products. In the context of the FMCG industry, this is of particular importance. Goods in this group often have a short shelf life, and at the same time must meet other standards, such as hygiene.

Investors are increasingly interested in reverse logistics, as it fits in with the tenets of sustainable business. Properly designed return processes can significantly reduce a company’s carbon footprint.

B2B logistics and the resilient growth of the e-commerce industry

Online and mobile are sales channels that are currently very popular among consumers buying FMCG products. Logistics geared towards shoppers who shop without leaving home requires the implementation of special solutions.

Currently, the greatest demand is for the instant deliveries that target customers expect. Implementing B2B logistics solutions, such as with the help of experienced logistics and transportation company AsstrA, can help solve this problem.

B2B logistics activities are oriented around maintaining the smooth flow of goods, which is of great importance in the FMCG industry. A key aspect, meanwhile, is effective inventory management, thanks to advanced technological integration, among other things.

Cyber security in supply chain management

Cyber attacks can prove to be a very big threat to the logistics and transportation industry, especially in the context of consumer goods. Protecting against them requires the implementation of appropriate technological solutions, which more and more companies in this sector are now opting for. It is worth remembering that attacks by cyber criminals can be used to steal not only valuable cargo, but also sensitive customer data, which every business has a duty to protect.

Sustainable logistics in focus for FMCG sector

Green logistics is a trend resulting from the increased environmental awareness of the public, which is putting pressure on manufacturers in the FMCG sector, and there is only one thing left for them to do – to make changes towards more sustainable transportation. The possibilities are many, including:

– optimizing freight routes,

– introducing less-than-truckload transport to level out empty or half-empty runs,

– raising drivers’ awareness of ecodriving principles,

– using intermodal transport for consumer goods transported over long distances,

– taking care of fleet efficiency,

– reducing transport losses by properly securing cargo,

– incorporating electric trucks into the fleet.

The race for innovation

Admittedly, above you can find many innovative technological solutions, but that’s not all. Indeed, development in this area is taking place extremely dynamically, and companies in the logistics and transport sector are outdoing each other in introducing more and more modern measures to improve transport efficiency, increase investor’s time and money savings, as well as reduce the negative impact on the environment.

Innovations that are likely to develop rapidly in the near future include, for example, on-demand deliveries using drones. Much attention is now also focused on machine customers, or artificial intelligence making purchasing decisions for the customer for greater time savings.