Delivery of Best Practice Logistics in the Medical Devices Industry

Irish Express Cargo (IEC), a subsidiary of Flextronics operates FDA (Federal Drug Administration) and MHRA (Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency) approved Distribution Centres for the Medical Device and Pharmaceutical industries in Ireland and the UK. Services provided include inventory management, order fulfilment and delivery to hospitals. Applying Flextronics Logistics best practice logistics management processes and systems to the Pharmaceutical and Healthcare sector has allowed us to provide consistent delivery performance (On Time and In Full) and maintain best in class inventory integrity levels. In Ireland, IEC operates an FDA audited operation for the Distribution of Medical Devices. All staff are GDP certified. In the UK, the Flextronics processes are designed to industry (GMP) best practice, and are certified by the Medicines and Healthcare products Regulatory Agency UK (MHRA). IEC's best practices program includes 5S quality improvement planning, and a 6-Sigma Quality Management System. IEC is an International Freight Forwarder, providing global door-to-door service for both ambient and cold-chain (2 to 8 degree's) products. We manage the shipment of non-hazardous and hazardous products. Read More ... (PDF)

Depot Profile - Dublin

Irish Express Cargo, Dublin has been at the forefront in the provision of best in class Logistics and Reverse Logistics services for a range of customers. IEC builds highly responsive, repeatable, and efficient processes guaranteeing quality, delivery and cost objectives. IEC uses leading edge technology such as RF and RFID to enable high velocity receipting and issuing. These "Total Scanning" processes can provide response times measured in hours and minutes. The IEC facility is a modern secure warehouse located close to Blanchardstown, with easy access to the M50 and the M1. It is 15 minutes from Dublin Airport 30 minutes from Dublin port 15 minutes from Dublin City Centre The 82,000 sq ft warehouse is located on a 3 acre site, which has loading/unloading areas, trailer drop zones, outside storage and car parking facilities. The warehouse offers 2 styles of storage. Very Narrow Aisle storage where product is efficiently located in hi bay rack locations with Kombi trucks. Block storage where cubed (pallet less) product is densely located via pneumatic clamp machines. IEC Dublin have an existing blue chip customer base. The IEC facility in Dublin have currently set aside 30,000 sq ft of capacity for new business. Read More ...

In the Spotlight - RFID

World class lean manufacturing and supply chain management relies on process excellence. RFID is emerging as a strategic supply chain management tool. Flextronics Logistics chose ConnectRFID www.connectrfid.com to supply an active RFID system for vehicle tracking in its supply chain Process. This system was subsequently extended to include asset security, using custom written alarm software and Savi 602 active tags mounted on custom built housings. The first assets to be tagged were Castell Salvo safety interlock units which can easily be removed from site either accidentally or maliciously. The attached tags interact with the gatehouse exit and trigger an alarm whenever one is being taken through. One of the critical aspects of this is the design of a housing that is robust enough to withstand the heavy duty handling without interfering with the operation of the unit itself.

Lean Warehousing and Distribution

In the past, best practices in Lean and 6Sigma have been limited to assembly and manufacturing operations with little application in Logistics. Today, however, companies are increasingly looking to apply Lean and 6Sigma principles to their supply chain and logistics operations from inbound raw materials to shipment to the end customer. Flextronics Logistics Dublin currently manage the distribution centre for a leading provider of roof windows. The inbound and order fulfilment processes were created using Lean and 6Sigma principles. This allowed the Flextronics Logistics team to implement a system that reduced waste (Kanban Picking, System Interfaced with SAP ©), utilised visual control systems (Flextronics Logistics system FlexATLAS utilises a graphical user interface to manage and control fulfilment), error proofing (Poke Yoke techniques applied throughout the process) and the utilisation of new machinery to allow for the receipt of un-palletised cubes. The application of Lean and 6Sigma principles have resulted in a process that ensures next day delivery (and in some cases same day delivery) and a consistent 100% on time in full delivery metric. Read More ... (PDF)

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