Combisafe International

Founded in Sweden in the early 80’s, Combisafe International has led the development of innovative safety solutions for over 25 years, introducing revolutionary new systems and products to the construction industry throughout the world. Their products range from components for systemized edge protection solutions accommodating all building applications, to fall-arrest systems, temporary access solutions and weather protection products.

In 2006 Combisafe commissioned a Cranfield MSc student to identify a new location for their European distribution center as part of a distribution redesign project. The research brief detailed that the new distribution center should have served the growing markets of Germany and France, offloading the pressure from the existing warehouses in Sweden and in the UK. The new distribution center should also have allowed for high level of storage flexibility in order to deliver both low quantities for end customers and large volumes for local regional distributors.

Andrea Chitti, Group Logistics Manager of Combisafe elaborates: “At the time, our warehouse in Stockholm served Scandinavia, the Baltic States, part of the Netherlands and Germany while our warehouse in Northampton served the UK, Ireland, France, Belgium and occasionally Germany. A different set-up was required in order to improve our lead times for Continental Europe. The Netherlands offered the right proximity to our target markets, a well established logistics infrastructure and a wide spread knowledge of the English language which made communication practical at all levels for all Combisafe staff’’.

As Combisafe indicated that they wanted to study all pros and cons of an own account versus an outsourced warehouse, the NFIA organized a fact finding trip to various properties and asked NDL/HIDC to select a number of suitable logistics service providers which would be capable of meeting Combisafe requirements. 

Andrea Chitti continues: “The choice of an outsourced solution came after the trip organized by the NFIA. We recognized the level of professionalism in the logistics providers we had been introduced to and we felt that they represented a good match to our needs in size, operational capabilities and organization. At the end of the tendering process a three years contract was signed with KLG, which resulted in a very constructive relationship. The management of KLG reacted fast on our needs providing a dedicated team of people to manage our account.”

Andrea Chitti concludes: “The support of NFIA and of NDL/HIDC proved critical to meet our tight deadlines to deliver a fully operational distribution center in a new territory. The guidance provided sped up the decision on the outsourcing option, providing suitable candidates eager to discuss the opportunity at the right level”.