Forward Stocking Locations
STOK’s own forward stocking locations (FSLs) are enabling Arvato to bridge the gap between European central warehouses and local stock availability at hospitals.
Arvato is using a European FSL network initially spanning eight countries that have been identified as important. The way that the FSLs are distributed within these countries makes it possible for products to be delivered to hospital wards very quickly in emergencies. By 2019, more than ten of these client-specific external warehouses will be established in Germany alone. The warehouses will be temperature controlled and comply with healthcare standards.
A particularly important aspect is the quick and secure delivery of emergency shipments and implant kits. The size of hospital inventories can consequently be reduced because, with Arvato, products can be delivered within a few hours. So there is no longer any need for excessively high medical technology product stocks to be held in reserve. Trained drivers will be using STOK’s own vehicles to make deliveries, so there is no need to pay high prices for express delivery services from central warehouses.
The FSLs are, of course, integrated into the European warehouse management system and the quality management system. This means that clients have a comprehensive overview and full control of their inventories and products beyond the central warehouse. At the same time, they benefit from the just-in-time distribution of urgent deliveries.
