“Agile, Simplified Supply Chain Solution”

In 2020, unpredictability and disruption, from natural disasters and Covid-19, were the biggest challenges for organisations up and down the supply chain. This, combined with consumer demand – stockpiling, lack of supply, and ever changing lock-down rules – made it incredibly difficult for our clients to forecast stock volumes and manage normally uncomplicated supply chains.

The potential benefits of Silk Contract Logistics’ (“SCL”) technology platforms have never been more important to its clients in helping them to adapt and optimise their supply chains to these unprecedented challenges. SCL’s platforms can enable integrated land-side logistics and inventory optimisation to increase supply chain assurance.

"SCL is addressing these challenges by providing integrated landside logistics services."

SCL’s Co-Founders and Executive Directors, Brendan Boyd and John Sood, are fast becoming leaders in Contract Logistics and Port Logistics within Australia. Since acquiring the business in 2014, Boyd and Sood have proven their growth strategy, with revenue more than quadrupling through organic growth and acquisitions.

In the past 3 years, SCL has acquired 3 businesses. The most notable of these acquisitions was Port Logistics business Rocke Brothers, in August 2019, which has contributed to SCL soon becoming the largest Port carrier by road in Victoria. A fast growing turnover, delivered by a motivated workforce, and an enviable safety focus, all coupled to a big data, technology enabled platform, has enabled SCL to emerge as a key player in the Australian logistics landscape.

Boyd along with Sood and the employees at SCL, have been able to grow and shape the company into a brand that is today readily recognisable within the Australian market, providing specialist port logistics, warehousing, distribution, and supply chain services across Australia to their clients.

“We have a robust and best practice implementation framework to onboard a new customer through a transition life cycle, with a full project team and steering committee, represented by SCL and the client, and managed through an online, live project collaboration tool,” says John Sood, Chief Customer Officer, SCL. SCL’s combination of agility, flexibility, reliability, collaboration and technology, set them apart from their competitors.

SCL offers a large, dedicated, in-house IT support and development team, which provides exceptional response-time to clients and efficiency in operations. SCL utilises the same tier one Middleware, Warehouse (WMS), and Transport (TMS) management solutions for all its sites and clients. “We have selected the ‘best of breed’ technology and systems, allowing SCL to leverage all learnings and resources across IT, operational and other key support departments,” adds Brendan Boyd, Managing Director, SCL. “Our standard, but tailored WMS and TMS processes allow operational staff to work across sites and clients with minimal training. As each process is reviewed in conjunction with our clients, we can tailor the solution to suit any work stream.” Boyd adds, “We have ‘world class’ middleware technology in our IT Ecosystem from Microsoft. These technologies are leaders in their field within the Gartner Magic Quadrant assessment.”

Growth Strategy Continues

In a few short years, SCL has grown to 23 sites, with offices in every major Australian city, establishing their strong national presence within Contract Logistics and Port Logistics in Australia.

Key market segments of FMCG, food, light industrial and retail equipment logistics have proven SCL’s resilience in their growth strategy and forged a path for them to move into their next phase of growth beyond 2020. With an enviable record for long-term recurring revenue from a blue-chip customer base and contract renewals, SCL will continue to add to their stable of blue-chip clients.

The Silk Way

SCL reviewed, refreshed and relaunched their company values as The Silk Way in 2019. Right across Australia, every member of the SCL team is equipped with the knowledge and tools to empower them to do their job in line with the company values, the most important of which is Safety.

SCL has been able to leverage their complementary strengths to provide value-add based solutions, expand operations, and provide seamless and integrated transport and warehousing services to their clients now and into the future. As summed up by Boyd, “Our vision is to be the market leader of innovative, technology enabled supply chain solutions and inventory optimisation through our people and connected networks.” IE