JULY - AUGUST 2025LOGISTICSTRANSPORTATIONREVIEW8 OPINIONIN MYBy Tomas Hofer, Logistics Director, NotinoKey Experiences Shaping the Professional Journey to NotinoI have been with Notino for over nine years, starting as the Logistics Director in December 2015 and becoming the Chief Logistics Officer in January 2023. In my role as Logistics Director, I was responsible for our logistics strategy, managing distribution centers across multiple countries (CZ, RO, IT, PL) with a total area of 90,000 m², and overseeing the Transport Department too. We handled a significant volume of orders, preparing between 80,000 to 200,000 orders per day, which equates to 525,000 products. The high season before Christmas was always a challenge due to the tripling of volume compared to the off-peak season. Ensuring timely and high-quality delivery of parcels was a standard expectation. I also participated in activities aimed at enhancing the shopping experience, such as gift wrapping, engraving, and eco-friendly wrapping. We shipped goods to 27 countries, which required us to provide various transport solutions and continuously look for ways to shorten delivery times.Before joining Notino, I worked at DHL Supply Chain for over eight years in various roles, including Site Project Manager, Warehouse Manager, Industrial Engineer Manager, and Transportation Planning Manager. In these roles, I was involved in the extension and operational development of our Warehouse Management System (WMS), implementing Lean philosophy, managing warehouse operations, and supporting operations in Hungary and the Czech Republic. My responsibilities included leading teams, managing seasonality, negotiating with suppliers, and continuously improving processes to enhance productivity and efficiency.These experiences have equipped me with a deep understanding of logistics and distribution, enabling me to effectively manage Notino's logistics operations and contribute to the company's success.Logistics and Distribution Challenges in Notino's European OperationOne of the main challenges is reducing delivery time. To achieve this, we have implemented several measures, including route optimization and increasing the number of distribution centers.Another challenge is the low unemployment rate, which complicates the recruitment of qualified workers. The solution lies in investing in automation and training existing employees.To enhance efficiency, we have introduced new technologies and processes that allow us to better track and manage inventory.Increasing the level of automation is a key factor in improving our operations. Automation helps us reduce errors and increase the speed of order processing.Finally, reducing transportation costs is a constant challenge. We are working on optimizing our logistics operations and looking for new ways to reduce shipping expenses.Trends Shaping the Future of Notino's Large-Scale Distribution and LogisticsCurrent trends shaping the future of large-scale distribution and long-distance logistics include several key areas:· Automation and Robotics: Modern distribution centers are increasingly utilizing automated systems and robots to streamline processes, leading to faster and more accurate order processing.· Digitalization and Data-Driven Decision Making: The use of advanced analytics tools and data platforms allows companies to better plan MASTERING LOGISTICS: KEY INSIGHTS FROM NOTINOTomas Hofer
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