Luis Simões highlighted the importance of optimizing transport operations during the AECOC

(Spanish Association of Commerce Codes) Virtual Transport Meeting. The event, held today, served as a reflection on the future of logistical processes and the aspects that companies can work on to achieve maximum efficiency in supply, with a focus on the current context.

Félix Ávila, Business Project Director, participated in the event and shared his insights on how this new situation has affected activity and productivity in transportation, emphasizing LS’s key role in reducing unproductive times. With over 20 years of experience at Luis Simões, Félix Ávila has held various leadership positions within the company, actively contributing to the Group’s growth and business development strategy.

We even recorded demand peaks similar to Black Friday or Christmas

The event discussed the effects of the pandemic on logistics operators, at a time when the lockdown situation accelerated consumer habits, resulting in a significant increase in e-commerce. “We even recorded demand peaks of over 123% in e-commerce operations, something similar to Black Friday or Christmas levels. Companies and operators have reinvented themselves to respond to this new reality,” explained Félix Ávila.

In this regard, both parties had to review their processes and seek solutions to shorten unproductive periods, especially considering that one of the largest increases in demand was observed in essential goods such as detergents, water, canned goods, and coffee.

Adapting the Logistics Operation

Luis Simões highlighted the key factors for achieving optimization, including proper management of loading and unloading slots, reducing time in the warehouse, and promoting advanced planning.

Continuous adaptation to the market and diversification of services contributed to LS’s success, as demonstrated by its performance during the pandemic. Resource redistribution played a fundamental role, as it allowed for the efficient management of growing demand.

For operations that experienced increased activity, new shifts were activated, and warehouses were expanded. Another measure adopted was the transfer of vehicles from one activity to another: trucks that were typically dedicated to automotive sector operations began distributing food.

The Importance of Logistics Operators as Essential Parts of the Supply Chain

In this context, Félix Ávila took the opportunity to underscore the importance of logistics operators as essential parts of the supply chain: “Any situation of change is always an opportunity for us to adapt and innovate, and that is what the current context demands. The new normal has brought new consumption practices, and as a key piece of the puzzle, the logistics chain must update and offer cost-effective solutions that enable sustainable market growth.”