With over 40 years of experience in the forest products sector, Seacon SG provides high-quality logistics services for paper, pulp, and other forest products. Equipped with a fleet of specialist materials handling equipment and a team of highly skilled professionals, Seacon SG, part of the Seacon Group, offers comprehensive inland distribution solutions, ensuring efficient transport from port to final destination.

Based in Tilbury, Northfleet and Garston, Seacon SG primarily serves the forest products industry, handling materials such as paper reels, gravure reels, wood pulp, palletised papers, finished products, tissue products, sheet materials, and timber. The key challenges in their logistics operations include efficiently managing the inland movement of containers, maintaining visibility across the supply chain, and ensuring seamless coordination between multiple vendors.

Seacon SG and Fargo had an established relationship characterised by mutual respect and a shared commitment to excellence in the intermodal transport sector. This recognised rapport led Seacon SG to transition from their spreadsheet-based system to Fargo’s advanced, automated solutions aimed at optimising inland container and transport management. The depth of their professional relationship facilitated a seamless and collaborative implementation process, ensuring a swift adaptation to the new system.

Challenges

Before working with Fargo, Seacon SG faced several operational challenges:

• Reliance on spreadsheets for managing container imports led to inefficiencies and potential errors.
• Limited visibility across the supply chain makes it difficult for stakeholders to track container movements.
• Complex inland transport operations require seamless coordination between ports, warehouses, and final delivery points.
• Difficulty in tracking costs and managing vendor operations efficiently.

Solution implementation

Seacon SG implemented Fargo TOPS to overcome these challenges, selecting the solution for its ability to streamline inland container management and enhance supply chain visibility.

Key Features Implemented:

Fargo TOPS manages the inland container transport from the port through to delivery points or Seacon SG warehouses for storage and transhipment.

• Fargo TOPS Portal provides stakeholders self-service access to real-time container statuses and waypoint updates.
• Smart Vendor Planner & Cost Allocation streamlines the management of third-party vendors, ensuring that costs are accurately recorded and allocated across inland transport operations.

During the implementation phase, Fargo Systems worked closely with Seacon SG to ensure a smooth transition. Integrating existing workflows was carefully managed to minimise disruption, and staff were trained to utilise the system effectively.

Results and impact

Since implementing Fargo TOPS, Seacon SG has experienced significant improvements:

• Enhanced Efficiency: Automation has reduced manual data entry, improving accuracy and operational speed.
• Greater Visibility: Fargo TOPS Portal enables real-time tracking, giving customers and stakeholders instant access to supply chain updates.
• Optimised Cost Management: The system provides detailed cost allocation for inland transport, helping Seacon SG manage expenses more effectively.
• Seamless Vendor Coordination: Improved oversight of third-party transport providers ensures a more streamlined logistics process.

Unexpected benefits include increased customer satisfaction due to improved tracking capabilities and a more agile response to logistical challenges.

Future plans and final thoughts

Fargo continues to support Seacon SG’s growth by enhancing system functionalities and adapting to evolving business needs. Seacon SG plans to leverage Fargo TOPS to optimise operations further and explore additional integrations to improve efficiency.

Seacon SG highly recommends Fargo TOPS to other logistics companies, citing the seamless implementation, powerful features and functionality, and exceptional support as key reasons for their endorsement.

Seacon SG’s CEO, Martin Phillips, said:

“Our partnership with Fargo Systems has transformed our inland container management. The transition from spreadsheets to Fargo TOPS has streamlined operations, improved visibility, and enhanced cost efficiency across our supply chain. We look forward to continuing this collaboration as we grow.”