18/11/2019 | Hardis Group

In November 2018, ManoMano launched Mano Fulfillment, a new logistics and after-sales care service for its partner retailers’ and distributors’ best-selling products. The online home improvement and gardening marketplace deployed Reflex WMS to manage and optimize B2C and B2B logistics flows at its new warehouse.

Grenoble, September 18, 2019 – Hardis Group, a consulting firm, digital services company and independent software vendor, announces that ManoMano, Europe’s leading online home improvement and gardening marketplace, has opted for Reflex WMS SaaS to manage its logistics warehouse, operated by Rhenus Logistics. Hardis Group’s application will enable the brand to achieve its ambitious target: providing an advanced logistics solution to help its 1,800 partners retailers grow their sales in France and Europe.

Handling logistics operations for the platform’s partners 

ManoMano has enjoyed exponential growth since its launch in 2013. The home improvement and gardening marketplace lists over 3 million items, has 2.5 million active clients, and operates in six countries: France, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Germany, and the UK. In the past, orders were dispatched directly to clients by ManoMano’s 1,800 partner retailers. But in November 2018, the company launched a new logistics service for best-selling items as part of a drive to slash delivery lead times and help its partners grow their revenue. ManoMano called in service provider Rhenus Logistics to operate the warehouse, relieving partner retailers of logistics constraints and allowing them to focus on their core business. Rhenus Logistics handles all logistics-related tasks—reception, storage, and order preparation and dispatch—at a 36,000 sq m multi-client warehouse in Gretz-Armainvilliers, Seine-et-Marne, France. 

Adopting a WMS to optimize logistics flows

ManoMano also decided to deploy a warehouse management system (WMS) at its new logistics platform. After drafting the specifications with input from Rhenus Logistics, the firm opted for Reflex WMS SaaS on account of its ability to optimize logistics flows and cope with the storage demands of products with markedly different dimensions and rotation cycles. “We were also impressed by Reflex WMS’s solid track record in the home improvement, gardening and e-commerce sectors,” says Victor Schieber, Logistics & Transport Lead at ManoMano. “We knew the application would be flexible enough for our needs, and able to cope with such a high volume of items.”

Future-proofing for growth

Reflex WMS was configured with future sales and flow growth in mind, including storage in sorting racks and automated collection of smaller items. “Initially, we’re aiming for steady growth, starting with 6,000 sq m of warehouse space for 2,000 items and around 100 partners,” adds Schieber. “Fast-forward 36 months, we’ll be using 22,000 sq m of space for 25,000 items and 300 retailers.” Hardis Group worked with its partner ACSEP for the functional testing, training and deployment support phases, helping Rhenus Logistics to configure and deploy Reflex WMS in just four months.

The WMS has been up and running since October 2018, optimizing processes across all logistics flows: receipt, storage, preparation, and dispatch. For instance, the system can recalculate order preparation tasks on the fly to ensure that the firm meets its dual promise: preparing all orders within 2 hours and delivering parcels weighing less than 30 kg to the client within 24 hours. “Eventually, we intend to partially automate the order preparation process for greater efficiency,” explains Schieber. “With Reflex WMS, we’re well placed to meet our strategic objectives: processing higher volumes, boosting B2C and B2B sales, and growing our business internationally.”