Our logistics department at Luoma-aho is the final link in our order-delivery process. The logistics team includes the department’s own staff in the office and logistics hall as well as contract drivers and the contractor responsible for internal transport.
The logistics department handles all outgoing and incoming goods for Luoma-aho’s production. Every day, around 20 lorries move around the factory site, some bringing in goods and some picking them up.
“The closer the delivery reliability is to 100, the clearer the work in the logistics department is. That’s when things go as planned. The logistics planners working in the department keep a close eye on the completion of the last phase of the work,” says Pasi Kari, Logistics Manager.
We continuously strive in all our departments to ensure that delivery reliability is as high as possible – our goal is to reach 100%. Sometimes, delivery reliability is affected by unexpected machine failures or unsuccessful pressing or surface treatment for various reasons. The aluminum profiles coming from the press must be completely flawless, but occasionally surface defects may occur.
One day at a time
Logistics planners are responsible for planning daily transport and, subsequently, loading. The logistics team plans where in Finland or the world the goods will be transported on any given day. The team is also involved in balancing production to create optimal loads.
“We are constantly planning work. The day before, we prepare for the next morning’s loading, and, in the morning, we plan the afternoon’s loading. We can’t plan too far ahead,” Pasi Kari continues.
The logistics planners also monitor the capacity of the high-bay warehouse and create work orders for retrieval. The loaders retrieve the aluminum profiles from the high-bay warehouse and load the vehicles.One logistics planner is responsible for the transport of the subcontracting chain and plans the transport of orders involving subcontracting, such as CNC machining.
“They plan the transport to and from the subcontractor. Many of our subcontractors are located close to us, some even in the same industrial area. Local transport, as well as internal transport within the factory site, are carried out by tractor-trailer. Our contractor for this job has long been Tmi Lasse Korkia-aho.” says Pasi Kari.
Consideration for CO2, even in materials
Minimising CO2 emissions is also important in logistics, and we always include our partners’ transport equipment in our emissions calculations.
“At some point, heavy goods vehicles will also become electric. We already have the kind of routes that could be driven with electric vehicles in terms of range, but as yet there is insufficient infrastructure, i.e. charging stations. We replace our forklifts with electric forklifts as and when they need replacing. Our indoor forklifts are powered by electricity,” says Pasi Kari.
The logistics department collaborates with the purchasing department to ensure the sufficiency of packaging materials and places orders for more. Together, we aim to use materials that were manufactured with the lowest possible emissions.
“All materials are sourced from Finland, either directly from manufacturers or through wholesalers. We are involved in the conclusion of contracts. Packaging materials include plastic wrap, sheeting, various types of cardboard, and cargo straps. We also need bubble wrap, cellular plastic, plywood and various types of timber,” says Pasi Kari.
More and more orders are delivered in AluBasket® baskets.
“We are constantly working to increase basket deliveries, as they are an environmentally friendly and technically sound alternative for profile processing. The basket protects the profiles during transport and handling,” he continues.
Contract drivers are important partners
In domestic transport, Mäkelä Alu works with two contract carriers: Transport company V&J Halla-aho Oy and V-M Raja-aho Ky. Both companies have cooperated with Mäkelä Alu since the beginning of its aluminium profile production, and Halla-aho since the time of Mäkelän Peltituote.
“Both companies have longstanding traditions and an understanding of what we do. They are good and competent partners who have worked long and hard. The drivers are also very familiar with the operations of many of our customers. Our reliable partners have also ensured smooth deliveries during strikes. They even drove their trucks onto ships to get deliveries moving during the stevedores’ strike,” says Pasi Kari.
“Our company has been driving for Mäkelä Alu since 1964. I delivered my first aluminium profiles in 1991. It has been interesting to see Mäkelä Alu’s activities grow and develop over the years. The whole factory site is absolutely incredible today; there used to be a forest here,” says Jari Halla-aho, reflecting on the changes in the logistics hall.
“We mainly work with the loaders. The challenge for all of us, of course, is that the work is so hectic. Customers also challenge us with short delivery times. There’s rush, rush-rush and ambulance-rush,” he laughs.
V-M Raja-aho started driving for Mäkelä Alu in 1994.
“I used to know everyone, but now I only know a few people,” says Veli-Matti Raja-aho, describing the growth in Mäkelä Alu’s operations.
“I’m pleased with our current situation. Usually I’m where I’m needed; the drivers usually do all the deliveries, but I’ll help out if needed. We have our own area of about one-and-a-half hectares, next to the old powder-coating paint shop, where we have a car park and an office,” he continues.
Both contract carriers say that cooperation with Mäkelä Alu works well.
Mäkelä Alu’s main partners in export transport are Kuljetusliike Taisto Penttilä Oy, Transport Seppälä, and NCS.
