With many school leavers fresh on the jobs market, the cross-border e-commerce and logistics company has announced that it will increase its number of apprentices to ten in the UK by 2030.

Despite investing in comprehensive AI and technical upskilling for existing talent, the recruitment drive for those starting out demonstrates the company’s commitment to the creative problem solving that it is famed for across the world.

Hiring New Talent

With recent Manpower figures showing that 76% of UK employers seeking talent in transport, logistics and automotive are facing skills shortages, Spring GDS, which has high employee satisfaction ratings across Europe is seeking to train and develop its own.

Kelly van der Weg, Managing Director of Spring Global Delivery Solutions UK said: “In these unusual times, the UK has the potential to become a still more important hub for international e-commerce providers seeking routes into Europe and the USA. Yet, behind every delivery there needs to be a team empowered by a culture of innovation, agility, and customer obsession.

“Rather than being held back by skills shortages, our ambition remains to attract, train and retain the best talent in logistics in the UK across the world. That means we need to engage talent at an early stage in their career, investing in international talent programmes, sharing knowledge and creating interconnectivity across markets. Empowering staff with technology but also listening to their new perspectives and creative solutions to help us make a difference on a global scale.”

The company has already reinforced its sales, marketing and business development with three new hires in recent months and three additional vacancies across its operations to fill.

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As with most ecommerce businesses the speed and efficiency of the pick, pack and dispatch operation is vital, making all the difference to customer satisfaction levels and potential sales – particularly, at peak. For the managing director of UK Planet Tools, Bohdan Hrystayenko, this was an aspect of the business where he could see automation bringing significant cost savings combined with an uplift to productivity and it was the packing operation that held the greatest potential for a fast return on investment (ROI).

Labour savings

Having spoken with Sparck Technologies, Hrystayenko was aware of the major benefits, in the form of labour and materials savings, that could come from using automated ‘right-size’ boxing technology. Sparck Technologies’ CVP Impack auto-boxing system has the capability to tailor-make up to 500 boxes per hour, for multiple or single item orders, using advanced 3D scanning technology to optimally size, create and label each parcel in one seamless process – reducing package volumes by up to 50%, cutting cardboard usage by 30% and eliminating the need for void fill.

The technology was perfect for UK Planet Tool’s varied product profiles and mixed order quantities. The CVP Impack was highly flexible, capable of scanning and making boxes to the exact size needed for single item orders or multiple items, time and time again.

Why wait?

“This machine was exactly what we wanted,” says Hrystayenko. “Even though our daily throughput was only about half the capacity capable of the CVP Impack we knew we could reap enormous benefits from installing the machine now, rather than waiting. We were confident that with this machine in place we would have the operational flexibility and extra capacity to grow, without any fears over hitting peak volumes or trying to find additional labour. It was the right thing to do.”

An order for a CVP Impack was placed at the beginning of November 2024 and installed on 17th December, with ‘right-size’ packages rolling off the machine just two days later. “Space in the warehouse was tight but with some creative thinking from ourselves and Sparck we made it work. It was an incredible feat, supplying and installing the whole system in just eight weeks,” he says.

Big benefits

“The benefits for our business have been enormous,” says Hrystayenko. “With each box now custom-made to fit the exact dimensions of every order, we’ve eliminated the waste of shipping empty space. This alone has saved us 40% on consumables and material costs. Our reliance on manual labour has dropped significantly, transforming what was once a labour-intensive packing process. Like many ecommerce businesses, Mondays are our busiest days. Previously, we had to start early to clear the weekend backlog, but now we don’t begin until 8am. Thanks to the CVP Impack, just two operators can manage 250–300 packages per hour, removing the need for overtime and extra staffing.”

But for Hrystayenko, the most significant benefit from purchasing the Sparck’s CVP Impack has been the uplift in customer service, enabling a 5pm cut-off for a next-day delivery – a reliable fulfilment capability that builds customer confidence and wins new business. “The Trustpilot reviews have been glowing green ever since,” says Hrystayenko. “In fact, I calculate that had we installed the CVP Impack before the autumn peak we could have done 1.5x the business we did. This machine has given us the opportunity to grow the business. There’s no stopping us now.”

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Right-size Auto Packaging

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The T-sorting robots are set to be operational in September 2025, providing THG Fulfil with the capacity to output c1 million units per day – a move that will strengthen THG Fulfil’s ability to manage peak demand as it onboards new brands and retailers ahead of the holiday season.

THG Fulfil provides solutions by seamlessly integrating automation, AI-driven technology and proprietary software, delivering customer satisfaction. The strategic implementation of Libiao’s innovative robots is testament to THG Fulfil’s commitment to leveraging advanced automation to enhance speed and improve efficiency across its ecommerce operations. The modular and flexible design of the T-sorting system allows for dynamic scalability, enabling THG Fulfil to rapidly adapt to fluctuating consumer demand, regardless of seasonality.

Libiao’s T-sorting robots are renowned for their high stability and fault tolerance capabilities, boasting a remarkable sorting accuracy of up to 99.9%. The system is engineered to sort for multiple destinations simultaneously, with electroplating robots operating on optimal paths to maximise sorting efficiency. The technology also offers significant space-saving advantages due to its low footprint requirements and versatile deployment options across warehouse levels.

Furthermore, THG Fulfil is Libiao’s UK distribution partner, enabling brands and retailers to access Libiao’s cutting-edge robotics solutions and benefiting from THG Fulfil’s proprietary technology, optimisation and know-how. Brands and retailers will also benefit from rapid deployment capabilities, with installation of Libiao’s robotics solutions possible in as little as three weeks. This short project cycle contributes to fast and high return on investment, resulting in a typical return period of less than three years.

Tom Killeen, COO, THG Ingenuity, said: “We have always believed that fulfilment is a core driver of customer excellence and brand reputation. Our collaboration with Libiao further solidifies our commitment to providing brands and retailers with industry-leading, scalable automation solutions that optimise everything from pick and pack to final mile delivery, ultimately enhancing customer experience and driving loyalty. Our unique approach, which often sees 95% of all units sold moving through some form of automation, combined with our late NDD cut-off times of up to 1am, is truly what sets us apart. We are committed to investing in the future of logistics, while empowering our clients to meet and exceed evolving consumer expectations with unparalleled efficiency.

Jason Zhang, VP of Sales – Europe, Libiao, said: “We’re excited to partner with THG Fulfil, showcasing the elegance and scalability of Libiao Robotics’ solutions. Our compact, modular robots enable rapid plug-and-play deployment. With THG Fulfil as our UK distribution partner — leveraging their vast retail network and warehouse automation expertise — we look forward to expanding Libiao’s reach across new industries. At Libiao, our mission is to make the world more efficient, and this collaboration is a meaningful step toward that goal.”

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As the UK and EU enter a new phase of Brexit, we’re seeing that it demands a deeper reassessment of how logistics and fulfilment truly work across borders.

For the past few years, businesses on both sides of the Channel have been in reactive mode, patching up supply chains, firefighting disruptions, and doing whatever it took to keep goods moving. But we’re now beyond short-term fixes. In many ways, Brexit didn’t just disrupt logistics, it fundamentally reshaped it. The challenge now is not just to restore the old ways of working, but to embrace new models that reflect the reality of a structurally changed trade environment.

Drawing on my experience working across both the UK and EU fulfilment landscapes, it’s clear that this phase isn’t just about recovery, it’s about fundamental evolution.

Dual-entity warehousing as the new normal

One of the most significant shifts we’ve seen is the widespread adoption of dual-entity warehousing. For brands serious about serving both UK and EU markets, operating separate fulfilment entities is now standard practice. It might not be as lean or simple as pre-Brexit operations, but it’s faster, more compliant, and dramatically reduces the friction associated with customs delays, VAT complexity, and regulatory bottlenecks.

At Fidelity Fulfilment, we’ve helped brands set up mirrored infrastructure across borders. The result? Predictable delivery times, better customer satisfaction, and greater operational control. This isn’t just a workaround, it’s the future of cross-border commerce.

The SPS agreement as a B2B turning point

The new SPS agreement could be the most meaningful development for cross-border logistics since Brexit itself, particularly in regulated sectors like food, agriculture, and pharmaceuticals. While it’s still early days, this agreement offers the potential for reduced inspections, faster clearance, and more streamlined compliance processes.

For B2B operators – especially those dealing with high-sensitivity goods – this could unlock real efficiency. But it also raises the bar: only those with robust traceability systems, digital documentation, and tight supply chain control will be able to fully leverage these improvements.

Automation is no longer optional

Another major transformation is how technology has become central to fulfilment. Customs automation, smart inventory management, and real-time compliance tracking used to be nice-to-haves. Now, they’re mission-critical.

Providers that manage high-volume or complex shipments can’t compete without deeply integrated systems that can keep pace with constantly changing rules and consumer expectations. We’ve invested heavily in these areas, not just to meet compliance requirements, but to enable scale. Technology isn’t just making fulfilment more efficient, it’s turning it into a growth engine.

EU brands are returning, but with caveats

Interestingly, we’re seeing more EU-based brands re-entering the UK market. After the initial Brexit shock, many paused or pulled back entirely. Now, with systems stabilised and clearer pathways to market, they’re returning, but with a new level of scrutiny.

These brands are laser-focused on cost-benefit analysis, especially in low-margin categories. That puts pressure on fulfilment providers to be more than just logistics partners. We’re expected to deliver flexibility, speed, and transparency, while also helping clients manage risk and protect margins. It’s raised the bar, and in the long run, that’s a good thing.

Fulfilment as a strategic partner

With the UK fulfilment market expected to more than double by 2030, it’s clear that fulfilment can’t be treated as a backend function anymore. It determines how fast you can enter new markets, how well you serve your customers, and how resilient you are to future shocks.

But unlocking that potential requires the right kind of relationship. A fulfilment partner shouldn’t just be a service provider, they need to be a true collaborator, culturally aligned with your brand, and invested in solving problems together. While technology remains important (though it is less of a differentiator as most providers will catch up), it’s the businesses that embrace this more strategic, relationship-driven model that will be better positioned to lead.

Brexit may have drawn new lines on the map, but it’s also redrawn the rules of engagement. The next chapter won’t be about getting back to normal – it’ll be about building something better, with the right partner by your side.

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The Kmart Group serves millions of customers per week in over 450 Kmart and Target stores across Australia and New Zealand, as well as through its online platforms and mobile apps. Kmart’s long-term growth ambitions will focus on this omni-channel approach, and address the current challenges of labour availability, rising order volumes, and increasing customer expectations.

The partnership reflects Kmart’s commitment to enhancing operational efficiency and future-proofing its supply chain as it continues to expand across the region. The new 100,000m² omni-channel facility will be equipped with Vanderlande’s advanced FASTPICK solution, combining the intelligent ADAPTO automated storage and retrieval system (AS/RS) with ten ergonomic goods-to-person (GtP) workstations.

The system has been designed to maximise picking speed, flexibility and efficiency, so that the full complexity of both business-to-business (store deliveries) and business-toconsumer (online orders) operations can be seamlessly integrated within a single omnichannel fulfilment centre. For retail distribution, a high-speed crossbelt sorter will handle both cartons and polybags with a high level of precision.

In addition, the Moorebank site will deploy a large fleet of Toyota AGVs and VNA (very narrow aisle) trucks to support internal pallet transport and high-density storage. The entire operation will be controlled by Vanderlande’s VISION warehouse control system, ensuring the intelligent coordination and
management of all processes. Together, these integrated technologies will form a scalable, future-ready platform that is tailored to meet Kmart’s operational requirements.

“The investment in the new Moorebank omni-channel fulfilment centre will be an important part of our long-term strategy to modernise our supply chain and simplify store operations,” explains Phillip Irvine, Kmart’s General Manager – Next Generation Supply Chain. “Ultimately, this approach is about delivering even more value to our customers, which is central to who we are.”

“We are excited to join Kmart on this journey to optimise its supply chain and ensure that this is ready for the future,” says Jordan Thrupp, Vanderlande’s Managing Director Australia. “The strong partnership we’ve built with their team has been instrumental in delivering the best possible solution, and we remain committed to supporting Kmart’s ongoing success.”

Stephan Heessels, Vanderlande’s Executive Vice President for Warehouse Solutions adds: “This project reflects our dedication to delivering scalable systems with fast and efficient order fulfilment. FASTPICK is the optimal solution for leading retailers, such as Kmart, facing unpredictable long-term growth across their store and e-commerce operations.”

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The family-owned company, based in France and operating internationally, wants to consolidate the flows of its footwear activities for its various brands, including Gémo, Eram, Bocage and Mellow Yellow in its new facility covering more than 40,000 square metres in the Loire Valley region.

“Dematic has demonstrated its strong expertise when it comes to delivering solutions featuring AutoStore systems and has also clearly shown us the benefits from Dematic and its fellow KION Group brands,” explains Jean-Louis Borde, the director of logistics activities for Eram Group. In fact, a decisive factor in selecting Dematic’s solution over other proposals was the compact design of the AutoStore system to be integrated into the new centre. The solution offers more space for the same surface area and can be expanded in future if the need arises.

The Dematic solution features several advanced technologies with a compact and scalable design. The automation covers both picking and palletising processes and includes a large AutoStore system to enhance Eram’s Group order processing. The system contains 80,000 bins, 84 robots and 16 workstations for order processing. Additionally, a receiving conveyor with two unloaders will unload trucks or containers and a conveyor will sort packages for palletising.

A robot will open cartons while another robot loads totes into the system. For the order picking process, a packing station with a conveyor forwards orders to the dispatch area. Dematic Software manages all order fulfilment and picking operations to meet transportation and customer satisfaction requirements. It can seamlessly interface with the software currently installed and managed by the Eram Group.

The project is now underway and scheduled to be completed and ready for commissioning in Q4 2026. “We are very pleased to be working with the Eram Group, a major French family-run organisation and an iconic brand. This project marks the beginning of a promising partnership based on common values and a shared vision of excellence,” adds Alain Bussod, President of Dematic France.

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The scalable solution will be implemented in two different phases to ensure business continuity throughout the transformation. Geek+’s P800 V6.0 solution – for pallets and shelves movement – significantly enhances picking efficiency, inventory accuracy, and space utilisation — key advantages for third-party logistics providers facing growing customer demands.

“This project demonstrates the power of flexible automation,” said Simon Houghton, Sales Director UKI at Geek+ . “Our Shelf-to-Person system enables scalable growth without disruption. We’re proud to support Yusen Logistics in their first of this kind automation project in the UK but also in the Europe region”

For Yusen Logistics, the deployment aligns with a broader digitalisation strategy aimed at increasing efficiency and responsiveness across its operations.

“By integrating Geek+’s robots, we will be able to improve accuracy, agility, and throughput,” said Ben Bird, Business Development and Solutions Design Director at Yusen Logistics. “The system will give us the flexibility to scale alongside our customers’ evolving needs while gaining a great customer experience”.

The implementation will be delivered as part of a wider warehouse automation project led by Logistex, ensuring seamless integration with Yusen’s infrastructure and business processes.

“It’s a pleasure working with Yusen and Geek+ on such a forward-thinking project,” said Justin Saw, Business Development Director at Logistex. “Together, we look forward to delivering a future-ready solution with immediate results.”

The project highlights how Goods-to-Person robotics are reshaping the logistics landscape, offering 3PLs fast ROI, reduced labour reliance, and high safety standard. With this deployment, Yusen Logistics is well-positioned to lead in a rapidly changing market.

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Sereact Pick and Place identifies products in real time based on their appearance and selects the appropriate picking method, taking into account object characteristics such as shape, colour or texture – even for complex products such as food, textiles or fragile objects. It then automatically switches between different gripper types such as suction cup or two-finger grippers.

One of Sereact’s own new developments is a patented gripper consisting of three individually functioning vacuum grippers with which the robots can pick up a wide range of products of different dimensions. In addition, the software determines a sensible order for the picks so that they are picked according to size, weight and fragility. The placement algorithm ensures optimum space utilization in the target containers.

Even in complex environments, the software detects the scope and context of tasks. If objects are on top of each other or too close to the edge of the container, the robot moves them into a position where it can grip them ideally. The technology also detects anomalies and can therefore recognize and sort out damaged items. It is also possible to differentiate between packaging material and products. This makes the solution suitable for quality assurance during order processing and also enables it to be used in the areas of inventory optimization and returns processing.

The Sereact Pick and Place product is based on a Vision Language Action Model that enables robots to analyze, understand and act. It is designed to recognize and interpret unknown situations without prior training. This also makes it possible to control the robots in natural language using voice or text commands, which simplifies interaction with the robot and can be implemented without programming knowledge.

As a total solution provider for turnkey robot cells, Sereact selects the optimum system for the specific application. The software is compatible with a wide range of hardware components and robots that can be seamlessly integrated into existing warehouse systems. The result is full flexibility of the entire pick and place process as well as highly efficient and fully automated order processing.

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By analysing its own first-party customer service data, and highlighting commonalities and categories from 30,000+ tickets, over the last 12 months, the team was able to draw insights on how omnichannel brands can measure fulfilment and logistics performance via its customer service requirements.

Lee Thompson, CEO at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “eCommerce retailers should seek to implement global fulfilment that leverages technology for better visibility. Trusted by 250+ omnichannel brands, our platform is the backbone for resolving and preventing customer service pain points, empowering brands to scale, grow, and expand globally”.

Lee Thompson, FulfilmentCrowd

Unveiling some year-over-year trends in service-related fulfilment issues as the eCommerce landscape has grown, Chelsea Banister, Head of Customer Operations at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “Our data shows that the majority of conversations (78%) that we have with clients relate to order queries or issues. Other common categories raised included custom orders (9%), inventory transfers (4%), products (3%), and returns (2%). Conversations related to rework and task requests, charges and billing, setup and configuration, and API and integration made up less than 5% of conversations combined.

fulfilmentcrowd’s Chelsea Banister

“The data also revealed that, generally, ticket volume peaks in Q4 (October to December), likely reflecting peak eCommerce season challenges. Throughout the year, we tend to have the most customer service conversations with our Health and Beauty partners – in this sector, we are having regular conversations around how to best manage batch control for items that expire. Other common themes in our recent customer service conversations across all sectors include aspects related to US tariffs, our B2B capabilities, and AI.”

When issues arise, the team also suggests using data analytics to pinpoint recurring issues, consistently review your supply chain for weak spots, and conduct a post-mortem meeting with your team to discuss lessons learned.

Technology can also play a key role in this – Austin Waddecar, Chief Product Officer at fulfilmentcrowd, added: “In many cases, fulfilment chaos is the result of poor visibility. If you don’t know where your stock is or what stage an order is at, how can you fix a problem? Technology is your best friend here. Use it to your advantage. Investing in the right technology can save you time, money, and a whole lot of customer complaints – and that’s where we come in.

“A few examples of our tech solutions include real-time tracking, inventory management software, and shipping rules automation. With real-time tracking, you’ll also notice a huge decrease in customer service enquiries in terms of WISMO (where is my order) / WISMR (where is my return) if you offer a self-service solution. Your team will then have more time to spend on those complex issues that don’t always have an immediate fix.

“Inventory management software can help to reduce stockouts and overselling with better forecasting tools, and shipping rules automation can optimise your shipping rules to avoid delays and errors.”

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Founded in 1990, Pitacs is one of the UK’s largest manufacturers and distributors of heating products and electrical cables, with brands including luxury, sculptural heating AEON, trade favourite Ultraheat, Pitacs Heating, Pitacs Cable, TIME Cable and TIME LED.

The business had been using different systems from different vendors for ERP and WMS for many years, but with increasingly disparate processes and mounting inefficiencies, the company recognised the need for a modern, integrated ERP platform.

“Orderwise Cloud gives us a fully connected solution to replace multiple disjointed systems,” said Farrukh Lodhi, Finance Manager, Pitacs. “Our teams had been coming up against challenges around accessing data, making key business decisions and driving automation across each department.

“Orderwise solves these challenges by delivering one single solution which has the functionality and tools to continue to drive the business forward. We’re excited about the potential of the platform to support our ongoing ecommerce growth and position us as a more agile, responsive organisation.”

With ambitions to expand its ecommerce capabilities, Pitacs was looking for a trusted solutions partner with a proven track record of delivering similar projects and working with companies in the same sector. Orderwise Cloud offers the tools and functionality to support these goals while unifying all departments into a single, easy-to-use system.

“Pitacs is a forward-thinking business that needed a scalable, flexible solution to match its growth ambitions,” said Tom Price, Director, Forterro. “Orderwise Cloud gives them the visibility and control they need to streamline operations and deliver on their digital transformation journey.”

Orderwise Cloud is a powerful ERP solution designed for distributors, wholesalers, retailers, and manufacturers. It helps businesses optimise workflows, connect processes, and improve warehouse management. Built on Amazon Web Services (AWS), it provides a secure, future-proof infrastructure with scalable access from anywhere.

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