Successful entry of a Polish cosmetic brand into the Scandinavian market
We organized a supply chain from Gdańsk to Stockholm and Oslo. We reduced logistics costs by 22% thanks to LCL consolidation.
Natura Bałtycka produced great creams, but transport to Sweden and Norway ate all their profit. We helped them organize shipments so that export finally started to pay off.
The challenge
In July 2023, shipping one pallet to Stockholm cost the client 830 PLN net. Delivery time was a complete lottery, ranging from 5 to 13 business days. Due to these delays, drugstores in Scandinavia refused to sign permanent contracts because they couldn't plan promotions. Additionally, an average of 4.2% of goods were damaged in transit due to poor package securing inside the pallet.
Our approach
We analyzed the history of the last 118 shipments and discovered the client was overpaying for empty space in the truck. Instead of sending single pallets by courier, we introduced an LCL consolidation system at the Gdańsk terminal. Our team, supervised by Marek Wiśniewski, also changed the way cartons were stacked on a Euro pallet, fitting 16% more goods in the same space.
The solution
We focused on LTL (less-than-truckload) transport with regular departures every Tuesday and Thursday. We partnered with a local carrier in Malmö who took over final distribution, shortening delivery time to a guaranteed 48 hours from the moment of crossing the border. We also implemented simplified customs clearance procedures for Norway, saving drivers an average of 7.5 hours of waiting for paperwork.
Results
Logistics stopped blocking sales and became an asset in negotiations. Thanks to stable delivery dates, Natura Bałtycka reached the shelves of 42 new points of sale in Norway alone.
Timeline
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August 2023Transport cost audit and verification of 118 shipping invoices.
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September 2023Selection of a new LCL operator in Gdańsk and packing tests.
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November 2023Launching regular transport lines to Stockholm and Oslo.
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January 2024Verification of results and signing contracts with new recipients.
"I was afraid export would finish us financially. Marek and his team found savings where we didn't see them – in the very way the cartons were stacked. Now we earn 19% more on every cream sent North."