Logistics challenges for 2022

Overcoming difficulties and making improvements is key for a dynamic sector of the global economy. At VALL, we are pleased to know that our removable warehouses contribute to the solution of some of the biggest challenges of the logistics sector by 2022.

But what are these challenges and challenges to overcome? Let's take a look.

1. The need for warehousing points closer to major consumption points, one of the logistics challenges for 2022.

Regional warehouses located close to large cities are essential to deal with logistics and delivery in major cities. Speed and agility is already a vital requirement to the end consumer who buys online. In addition, local commerce and small eCommerce also need it to be able to compete with the big eCommerce operators and not be engulfed by them. This cannot wait for years. Solutions must be implemented now. The installation of removable steel or aluminium industrial warehouses makes it possible to create these logistics centres in record time. To leave them permanent or for as long as necessary until population flow changes until a new location is more convenient.

2. Redesign of alternative transport routes to cope with unforeseen events and to lighten major ports.

In the past year, a number of problems have highlighted the need to look for new transport routes. The traffic created in some ports or the temporary halt of activity in the English Channel have been some of them. This being the case, and in the face of new unforeseen events, it is necessary to have viable alternative routes for large international transports. This in turn implies having new logistics and storage centres that can be used quickly in those ports that are going to see an increase in the volume of goods. In this sense, the use of removable buildings for purchase or rental is the most advantageous solution for logistics operations in these ports.

3. Better forecasting and adapting to change, one of the main challenges for logistics in 2022.

The market is highly changeable. This is something that was already known but has become more evident since the outbreak of the pandemic. That is why one of the challenges for logistics in 2022 is to have more accurate forecasting tools as well as greater agility and flexibility to anticipate the needs of the sector in record time. To improve forecasting, the solutions lie in improved digitalisation and innovative technologies such as Big Data and Artificial Intelligence. However, these cannot foresee issues such as a geological phenomenon that cuts a route or the appearance of a virus that paralyses the world. That is why it is necessary to have a faster adaptability that allows unpredictable changes and changes that can be foreseen at short notice to be solved in record time. The installation of removable aluminium or steel buildings for warehousing or as a logistics distribution centre saves time. And if the buildings need to be moved to another location, this can be done quickly and easily and cost-effectively.

4. Sustainability, the great challenge of reducing the environmental impact and carbon footprint of the logistics sector

Another challenge for logistics in 2022 is sustainability. Climate change is a threat to the planet. And business is one of the actors that can do the most to help reverse it. The logistics sector is increasingly involved in making improvements and being part of the solution to this global challenge.

Some of the actions that the logistics sector can implement to improve its sustainability?

• Route optimisation to save fuel and reduce carbon footprint.
• Efficient storage solutions with sustainable and recyclable materials. One example is the sustainable steel industrial buildings.
• Technological innovation to create transportation that consumes less fossil fuels: gas mega-trucks, electric goods trains...
• A commitment to zero-emission fleets such as containerised pedal-powered vehicles. This implies the need for the aforementioned logistics warehouses next to large cities.
• Use of biodegradable packaging.
• To use photovoltaic panels and roofs with materials that allow the reflection of light and heat in logistics warehouses.

5. Other logistics challenges for 2022.

• Being closer to large suppliers to facilitate route optimisation with greater adaptability to market changes.
• Digital transformation and robotisation to face the future challenges of the logistics sector with greater strength and adaptability.
• Improve the training of the sector's employees and their digital skills.
• Encourage interdepartmental communication in logistics companies to prevent market changes more successfully. For example, between marketing and supply chain managers in the face of large temporary offers that require greater logistical effort.
• Generational replacement of employees in key areas such as road transport.

These are the main challenges facing logistics in 2022. For some of them, solutions already exist, as we have seen, which only need to be implemented. At VALL, through our removable warehouses, we are helping to meet some of these challenges and will continue to do so in the future.