Rafael Vega, Sales Manager at Semark AC Group and Manuel Montero, CEO of CPR for Spain, shared a talk about the logistics operation of the 200 supermarkets and 10 Cash&Carry stores that the distribution group has in Cantabria, Castilla and León and La Rioja, at year 2022.
What has working with CPR meant in logistical terms?
Rafael Vega: It always is an immediate, simple operation, with excellent service. When faced with an unexpected demand, the response is immediate, and this is an essential factor in our sales channel. Moreover, we have seen how the suppliers are satisfied with the system and it isn’t causing us any problems.
The operation with boxes, or their collection, corresponds to the established processes, to which we add the trust we have placed in the personnel at CPR, because what is set down in the contract is as good as done.
From your point of view and extensive experience in the sector, what is the main key to CPR’s success as a logistics supplier?
Manuel Montero: I would emphasise the fact that our company’s operations use minimal red tape. I think that the fundamental difference is that the supplier does not take on any deposits and does not lose any capital. The other important advantage is the price. We work with closed, net prices, with one single invoice per month. This simplicity is highly appreciated by the suppliers.
Do you receive feedback from the suppliers?
Rafael Vega. Yes, of course. At Semark, we believe in this pooling system and our suppliers have adapted to this choice. If they were to have a problem in the supply or in the cleaning, it would be passed on to us immediately, but this is not the case. It is exactly the other way round.
What volume of boxes does CPR handle?
Manuel Montero. We move over 3 million boxes within the system. Obviously, we have empty boxes to ensure that the suppliers have stock and can provide their service. We also have another important volume of boxes available in our warehouse. With fruit and vegetables, it is essential to be able to immediately provide the supplier with boxes because we are dealing with fresh produce.
What are the opinions about the new design, the new box in a more natural colour? Have you had a changeover period? Are they used for all fruit categories?
Rafael Vega. The truth is that there are many different opinions, possibly because we have been using the green box as a visual reference for a long time, but I must say that the new colour brings greater naturality and it possibly makes the produce stand out more, which is a very important aspect.
To begin with, the colour change started in the citrus fruit category, but it has now extended to all the categories and to the different seasons.
We needed some adjustment time, during which the new boxes came into the circuit, and they have been replacing the green ones. Currently, virtually 100% of the boxes are now in the new colour.
What is the route of a CPR box?
Manuel Montero. The CPR boxes reach the distribution warehouses through the suppliers. From here, they are distributed to the different platforms. When the boxes have been emptied, CPR collects them and takes them to a washing centre in Valencia. Once they are clean, we deliver them to each supplier again. In the case of Lupa, they arrive in Santander and Villamuriel (Palencia), as I have already mentioned, after being emptied of the produce that the supplier used them to send to SEMARK.
Does the box logistics have a great deal to do with space saving?
Rafael Vega. The system forms an incredible advantage regarding spaces and cleaning, with standard-sized boxes that fold very well. We had always had space problems. When we used wooden boxes that could not be folded, we needed half the warehouse for storage and, with the pooling, this has all been reduced. This is the reason we were one of the pioneer companies in implanting it, 25 years ago.
And regarding sizes, what advantages do these new boxes offer over the other ones?
Rafael Vega. The bottoms are the same, 60×40, but the heights are variable to be able to house all kinds of produce. It is very important to keep the produce fresh, and this is done by promoting turnover, that is to say, that the sales capacity that the store has is exact for the time it takes to supply this produce again when the box becomes empty. CPR’s boxes have several advantages, because they adapt to the turnover of any type of store and, furthermore, they are highly ventilated boxes.
