One of the world s leading ferry operators Stena Line has decided to implement Slimstock’s inventory optimisation solution, Slim4, to optimise the inventory of its central DC in Malmö. Onboard stores, restaurants and bars for more than 40 vessels are replenished from this DC and four regional DC’s.

Stena Line provides ferry transportation services on its extensive route network of twenty routes covering North Europe and connecting ten countries. Last year, approximately 7.3 million passengers, 1.6 million cars and 2 million freight units were taken across the waters around Scandinavia, on the Baltic Sea, the North Sea and the Irish Sea.

The replenishment of the vessels is taken care of by Stena Line Onboard Services. This subsidiary and unit within Stena Line is responsible for the replenishment of the onboard shops, restaurants, cafés and bars. They are located in Malmö, with a purchasing team and a central warehouse. There are smaller DCs in Holyhead in Wales, Hoek van Holland in the Netherlands, Gdynia in Poland and Gothenburg in Sweden.

Stena Line decided to implement Slim4 to reduce inventory, improve efficiency and maintain the high service levels towards the vessels. The implementation will start in September and is planned to be finished before the end of the year. During the project an interface will be made between Slim4 and the ERP system Oracle JD Edwards.